While the Fujian aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy continues to undergo tests and evaluations, recent developments have emerged regarding some of the aircraft that will be part of its future Air Wing, as seen in videos that have gone viral on social platforms in the Asian Giant. In particular, it has been confirmed that the new carrier-based Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, the KJ-600, has conducted new test flights.
Developed and manufactured by Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, the KJ-600 is set to become the future “eyes” of the Fujian carrier strike group, the newest and most advanced in the People’s Republic of China. Its primary function will be airborne early warning and control, operating from the flagship currently undergoing systems and navigation tests.
The details of its development are kept highly secret by both the companies involved and the PLA Navy and state media. The main updates have emerged from photographic and video footage of the test flights the aircraft has been conducting in recent months.
As previously indicated, “the KJ-600 shows similarities with the U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye, sharing some similar design features. As such, Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation adopted a high and straight wing configuration, powered by two turboprop engines, and a tail topped by four vertical stabilizers.”
Complementing the test flights, there have been several occasions where KJ-600 mock-ups have been observed on the flight deck of the Fujian aircraft carrier. These full-scale models aim to familiarize the crews with the handling and arrangement of the aircraft, as well as conduct other tests that have not yet been revealed and remain in the realm of speculation, mainly those related to the new electromagnetic catapult systems that equip the new flagship of the Chinese Navy.
To date, one of these models has been observed on the carrier’s deck. After confirmation of the completion of the Fujian’s third sea trial, a video began circulating on Chinese social media showing various aircraft flights, notably the KJ-600. However, neither Chinese state media, propaganda channels, the Ministry of Defense, nor the Navy have provided details or information, maintaining strict secrecy around this new carrier-based platform.
*Cover image used for illustration purposes.
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