A large yellow aircraft recently appeared over Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, which is believed to be the first flight of the PLA’s latest “KJ-3000” early warning aircraft. Reports indicate that this new early warning aircraft is modified from the Y-20 military transport plane, providing the PLA with a significant technological advantage in aerial reconnaissance and command capabilities. Against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, the deployment of the KJ-3000 may further solidify the PLA’s air superiority.
According to media reports, the most distinctive features of the KJ-3000 include its large rotating radar dome and a raised section at the rear. The radar dome likely houses an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of 360-degree coverage, detecting and tracking land, sea, and air targets from long distances. The raised rear section may integrate advanced communication systems, enabling network-centric operations and allowing the KJ-3000 to serve as an aerial command center in complex combat environments.
Although the added weight of the large radar dome and electronic equipment increases drag and limits speed and maneuverability, experts emphasize that endurance and operational efficiency are key for early warning aircraft. The KJ-3000 is powered by the WS-20 engine, offering higher thrust and fuel efficiency. Its large airframe allows for the installation of more advanced equipment and accommodates more intelligence analysts, extending loitering time and enhancing mission effectiveness.
Military experts suggest that the primary objectives of the KJ-3000 include enhancing the PLA Air Force’s ability to detect stealth targets and improving its capacity to counter U.S. stealth fighters like the F-22. Additionally, the KJ-3000 addresses the shortcomings of existing large early warning aircraft, providing the air force with more comprehensive reconnaissance and command capabilities.
Currently, the PLA’s active large early warning aircraft include the KJ-2000, which entered service in 2007, and the medium-sized KJ-500, introduced in 2015. In comparison, the KJ-3000 is clearly more advanced in terms of performance.
Shu Xiaohuang, a research fellow at the Institute for PLA Strategy and Operational Concepts at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, commented that converting the Y-20 into an early warning aircraft allows it to carry larger and more powerful radars. This modification enhances operational altitude and range, both of which are significant advantages of large early warning aircraft, making the KJ-3000 far superior to the KJ-500, which is based on the medium-sized Y-8 turboprop transport plane.
