• China has introduced the KJ-3000, a state-of-the-art airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, marking a significant advancement in its military capabilities.
• The KJ-3000 features a conformal antenna radar system integrated into its structure, providing 360-degree situational awareness and the ability to detect stealth aircraft at ranges exceeding 360 kilometers.
• Built on the Y-20B transport platform, the KJ-3000 integrates C4ISR systems, enabling it to coordinate operations across air, land and sea domains and manage complex aerial warfare scenarios.
• The aircraft is powered by advanced WS-20 engines and designed entirely in China, reducing reliance on foreign technology and enabling large-scale production and customization.
• The KJ-3000 is expected to counter U.S. stealth aircraft like the F-22 and F-35, strengthen China’s air defense network and reflect the country’s broader ambitions to achieve technological parity with Western air forces.

China has officially unveiled its next-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, the KJ-3000, marking a significant leap in the country’s military capabilities.

The KJ-3000, which made its maiden flight on Dec. 26, represents a major upgrade over China’s existing AEWC fleet, including the KJ-500 and KJ-2000. Unlike its predecessors, the KJ-3000 employs a conformal antenna radar system integrated directly into the aircraft’s structure, providing 360-degree situational awareness and enhanced detection of stealth targets. Reports indicate that the radar can detect conventional targets at ranges of 600 to 1,000 kilometers and stealth aircraft at distances exceeding 360 kilometers (223 miles).

This advanced radar technology, combined with digital phased array systems, significantly improves the aircraft’s ability to track up to 100 targets simultaneously. The streamlined design minimizes aerodynamic drag, enhancing flight efficiency and operational endurance. The KJ-3000’s radar capabilities are expected to rival ground-based systems, making it a formidable tool in countering next-generation stealth technologies.

The KJ-3000’s development underscores China’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign technology. Built on the Y-20B platform, the aircraft boasts a payload capacity of up to 66 tons – 16 tons more than the KJ-2000 – and is powered by four WS-20 high-bypass turbofan engines. These engines offer superior fuel efficiency, thrust and electrical generation capabilities, essential for powering the aircraft’s sophisticated sensors and processing systems.

The Y-20B platform also enables large-scale production and customization, addressing the limitations of older systems like the KJ-2000, which relied on imported Russian Il-76 airframes. The KJ-3000’s conformal radar design eliminates the need for a rotating radar dome, further enhancing its aerodynamic performance and operational flexibility.

KJ-3000 functions as a comprehensive command center

Beyond its surveillance capabilities, the KJ-3000 functions as a comprehensive command center, integrating C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems. This allows the aircraft to coordinate operations across air, land and sea domains, enhancing China’s ability to manage complex aerial warfare scenarios.

The KJ-3000 is expected to operate alongside advanced Chinese fighter jets such as the J-20, J-16 and J-10C, forming a multi-layered air defense network. Its ability to guide long-range air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-17, further strengthens its role in both defensive and offensive operations.

The unveiling of the KJ-3000 coincides with the appearance of China’s sixth-generation fighter prototypes and other military advancements, reflecting a broader effort to showcase the country’s growing defense capabilities. The aircraft’s deployment is particularly significant in the context of rising tensions in the Pacific region, where China aims to counter the operational advantages of U.S. stealth aircraft. (Related: China unveils next-generation JH-20 stealth bomber.)

Experts believe the KJ-3000 could diminish the effectiveness of stealth technologies by increasing the visibility of advanced fighters like the F-22 and F-35 in contested airspaces. Its advanced radar and command systems are also expected to complicate adversaries’ strategic operations, making it a critical asset in future conflicts.

The KJ-3000 is poised to revolutionize China’s AEW&C fleet, complementing existing systems like the KJ-500 and addressing capability gaps left by older platforms. Its advanced technology, enhanced endurance and multi-role capabilities position it as a key component of China’s air defense strategy.

According to a report, the aircraft amplifies the “PLAAF’s ability to detect, track and target threats in varying conditions, in large volumes and at greater distances.”

As the global military landscape evolves, the KJ-3000 represents a significant step forward in China’s quest to achieve technological parity with – and potentially surpass – Western air forces. Its deployment underscores the growing importance of AEW&C systems in modern warfare, particularly in countering stealth and autonomous threats.

Follow CommunistChina.news for more news about the military advancement of China.

Watch this clip about China unveiling its PD-2900 long range kamikaze drone.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

MilitaryWatchMagazine.com

ArmyRecognition.com

InterestingEngineering.com

FlightGlobal.com

Brighteon.com