China rolls out AWACS aircrafts for Pakistan Air Force

[unicorn148]

kursed bring a source that will defiantly disappoint my Indian trolling fellows. Sorry Fellas

there are many sources about the ZDk-03 one Chinese source says it even inferior to the KJ-200 ....

Chinese Military Aviation | China Air Force

 

[maverick1977]

This news will blow everyone away.

US refused to give E3 Sentry to Pakistan in 1980s. Based on that, Zia ul haq started a secret program to build pakistans own indeginous AWAC system. multiple Pakistan firms started working on radar portion of this project. This project was halted in 90s due to lack of funds, but went on a slow process. After, 1999 Kargil war, this program was infused with a lot of money and also tech on how to build it from islamic countries already possessing this tech. China also jumped when it lost its deal with Israeal. China, Pakistan and also help from Islamic country, which i believe to be Saudia, Ukraine and Russia all joined in this project.

I have to mention this that this radar was built by Pakistani scientists and engineer, a dedicated team of 150 professional, working for the last 10 years or so. chinese had more than 200 personal invovled in this project. Along with this dedicated team, russian and ukrainian engineers gave a huge feedback and help in its development. Over time it is believe that this project has cost roughly a billion$ for its development, inlcuding cost of engineers, materials, tech and testing...

Now, all the people who are speculating about this radar, Its an AESA based radar with a range of 450 to 500 miles, 700 to 800 kms can track roughly 300 targets simulatenous, each new target is refreshed every 2 seconds...

The price of $78million is only for the aircraft and does not include the radar price as it was already funded over time.

This should put to rest all the speculations of why this price is so low..

Overall guys, i can assure you that AESA for JFT will be arriving next. Stay tuned for this. Its a big day for Pakistani airforce, our wonderful scientists and our loving chinese brothers.. we cannot thank you guys enough for your collaboration and efforts to make this a success story

 

[SBD-3]

Thats was something new for me......but regarding AESA on JFT, I personally feel that first a higher thrust engine or more composite airframe will be necessary as AESA will add a lot of weight to the aircraft and thus will reduce the TWR (currently at 0.98) to further below. IMHO firstly we ll see WS-13 or a more improved and potent engine on JFT, then will come the AESA,

 

[SBD-3]

there are many sources about the ZDk-03 one Chinese source says it even inferior to the KJ-200 ....

Chinese Military Aviation | China Air Force

ZDK-03 (courtesy of XD, EGTAHZ,)
ZDK-03 is an export AWACS system being developed for the Pakistani Air Force. This project was initiated in the early 2000. A prototype (serial # T0518/Project 021) based on Y-8 Category II Platform was first discovered at CFTE in early 2006. Unlike KJ-200, this variant carries a tranditional rotodome above its fuselage, with a mechanically rotating antenna inside. Therefore the Y-8 AWACS was speculated to be developed for the export market only as it appears less advanced than KJ-200 which features a fixed AESA radar. (ZDK-03 features rotodome AESA rather than TR modules which are more expensive and advanced dome design)The AEW radar may be the product of the 38th Institute/CETC, but no details are available(they dont know what are the Type and Specs) . The aircraft also features a solid nose and tail as well as two small vertial tail stablizers. The Y-8 AWACS protoype was promoted to Pakistani AF in 2006. After some negotiations a much improved(both on Endurance and capability) design has been under development based on PAF's specifications. The variant is now dubbed ZDK-03(Just like FC-20 for Pakistan and JF-17 for Pakistani version while other countries wont be getting ZDK-03 AWACS if they order it) and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring 6-blade propellers. It was reported in early 2009 that a total of 4 has been ordered by PAF in a $278m deal, with the first one to be delivered by the end of 2010(The Y-8F800 Platforms ordered for radar mounting just like India ordered A-50s first and handed them over to then they were fitted with AWACS system separately by IAI and then they were fitted Russia to deliver first AWACS plane to India 'soon' | Russia | RIA Novosti and India asks for enhanced systems on third Il-76 AEW). ZDK-03 is expected to serve as an airborne command & control (I hope this word clears that KKE will be an AWACS not AEW)center for the JF-17 fighter fleet.

I hope this weeds out some confusion of our friends

 

[SBD-3]

there are many sources about the ZDk-03 one Chinese source says it even inferior to the KJ-200 ....

Chinese Military Aviation | China Air Force

ok where are the other sources????.....we know this one alright waiting for your "many sources"

 

[unicorn148]

@maverick1977

If Pakistan is capable of building its own AWACS then why is it buying from China and Spain....
It seem that its capabilities are even surpassing KJ2000 because its range is 350-400 Km and can track 60-100 targets ...
So from now every one is going to buy AWACS fro Pakistan

 

[unicorn148]

ZDK-03 is an export AWACS system being developed for the Pakistani Air Force. This project was initiated in the early 2000. A prototype (serial # T0518/Project 021) based on Y-8 Category II Platform was first discovered at CFTE in early 2006. Unlike KJ-200, this variant carries a tranditional rotodome above its fuselage, with a mechanically rotating antenna inside. Therefore the Y-8 AWACS was speculated to be developed for the export market only as it appears less advanced than KJ-200 which features a fixed AESA radar. However this design does provide a true 360° coverage. The AEW radar may be the product of the 38th Institute/CETC, but no details are available. The aircraft also features a solid nose with MAWS sensors on both sides, as well as two small vertial tail stablizers. The Y-8 AWACS protoype was promoted to Pakistani AF in 2006. After some negotiations a much improved design was developed based on PAF's specifications. The variant is now dubbed ZDK-03 and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring 6-blade propellers. It was reported in early 2009 that a total of 4 has been ordered by PAF in a $278m deal. The first ZDK-03 rolled out in November 2010 at SAC, with the delivery to be scheduled by the end of 2010. ZDK-03 is expected to serve as an airborne command & control center for the JF-17 fighter fleet currently in service with PAF.

 

[SBD-3]

@maverick1977

If Pakistan is capable of building its own AWACS then why is it buying from China and Spain....
It seem that its capabilities are even surpassing KJ2000 because its range is 350-400 Km and can track 60-100 targets ...
So from now every one is going to buy AWACS fro Pakistan

Radar and platform are two different things, why is DRDO looking towards embracer for its own AWACS? and Btw, the AEW radar is not a child's play....I think PAF would have certainly added its input to the project even if Chinese were doing bulk of the work. Remember Pakistan contributed both money and engineers for this project. and we got another head start than DRDO score this brings the score to 2-0

 

[unicorn148]

In the whole thing there was nowhere mentioned about that the radar is AESA ..
in the above it said that KJ 200 is AESA and Y-8 2 is inferior to the KJ 200 so Y-8 is bit improved to Y-8 3 and export variant as ZDK-03 instead of Y-8 3...
and its no where mentioned that is same as A 50 i of india ...
IAI phalcon is more advanced than the KJ 2000

 

[SBD-3]

ZDK-03 is an export AWACS system being developed for the Pakistani Air Force. This project was initiated in the early 2000. A prototype (serial # T0518/Project 021) based on Y-8 Category II Platform was first discovered at CFTE in early 2006. Unlike KJ-200, this variant carries a tranditional rotodome above its fuselage, with a mechanically rotating antenna inside. Therefore the Y-8 AWACS was speculated to be developed for the export market only as it appears less advanced than KJ-200 which features a fixed AESA radar. However this design does provide a true 360° coverage. The AEW radar may be the product of the 38th Institute/CETC, but no details are available. The aircraft also features a solid nose with MAWS sensors on both sides, as well as two small vertial tail stablizers. The Y-8 AWACS protoype was promoted to Pakistani AF in 2006. After some negotiations a much improved design was developed based on PAF's specifications. The variant is now dubbed ZDK-03 and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring 6-blade propellers. It was reported in early 2009 that a total of 4 has been ordered by PAF in a $278m deal. The first ZDK-03 rolled out in November 2010 at SAC, with the delivery to be scheduled by the end of 2010. ZDK-03 is expected to serve as an airborne command & control center for the JF-17 fighter fleet currently in service with PAF.

i have explained the same source, if you would have cared to go through my post above and btw this is the same information of the link posted above.......I am still looking for other "many sources" of yours

 

[unicorn148]

what score you are mentioned about DRDO ...
DRDO has completed its radars and they are AESA radars which will be fitted into the AEW&CS and it will be tested early 2011

 

[unicorn148]

you have explained about it but the content you have added has some mistakes because it was nowhere mentioned that it has an AESA radar so read it properly

 

[unicorn148]

no where mentioned about the Indian AWACS and you added on your own into the source i gave .....
ZDK 03 is just an modified version of Y-8 02

 

[maverick1977]

Guys, Take it or leave it. I have known my source for last 15 years, and went to school together and he is the part of this project. I am not sure why he will make it up. From his own words. its based on Pakistani requirements after they were refused E3 sentry. work has been going on for last 23 years and it got accelerated after kargil debacle when pakistan really felt the need of AWACS platform due to its limitations as compared to IAF.

My source became the part of this project in 2001 and is still on this project. his words were, AESA radar, 450 to 500 miles, 800kms with 300 simultaneous targets.. 10 years total cost of ~1 billion $, involvement of more than 400 technical personal, collaboration of 2 countries and expertise from 4 coutnries, and it was the requirement of 1 country, Pakistan.

I am not sure why will he make it up, might exaggerate due to excitement but not totally outright wrong !!

All i know necessity is the mother of all inventions and Pakistan has shown this over time... its high time people start accepting this..

 

[LEGENDARY WARRIOR]

some more links and pics. . .

AWAC

PAK CHEEN DOSTI ZINDABAD. . . .