Al Khalid
1 March 2014
In 2006, Pakistan signed a contract c Chinese China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) to develop and supply him four aircraft ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle in 2008. Planes are called ZDK-03 in honor of CETC (abbreviation of the Chinese name is read as Zhong Dian Ke). The number "03" indicates that this is the third set of AWACS, created by the company - the first two were KJ-2000, KJ-200.
Tests of the prototype radar system ZDK-03 was carried out on the plane Y-8AEW in China since the beginning of 2006. Rolled out the first batch of Pakistani aircraft ZDK-03, built on the basis of the transport plane Y-8F-400 (series 3) was used to Shaanxi Aircraft Company in November 2010 and in January 2011, this machine is tested intensively in the PRC with the Pakistani crew. Final transfer of the aircraft "11-001" Pakistan Air Force was carried out in November 2011. The second and third copies were received in the Air Force in December of the same year.
Delivered in 2011 in Pakistan three aircraft ZDK-03 became the first Chinese AWACS complexes aimed at export. Production of all key components of the Chinese aviation radar, including two-way radio modules (APMs) AFAR is localized in China. Processors required for high-speed data processing are also the result of their own research and development of Chinese firms.
The existence of the conventional AWACS derivative became known in 2005. The actual prototype wearing a civilian-style blue/white color scheme and the test serial 'T0518 Red' is based on the radar-nosed Y8F-400 ('Category II Platform'). Contrary to some sources, the first prototype base aircraft was not the Y8F-600 ('Category III Platform'), though this platform with six-blade engines was used for later aircraft. The aircraft has a conventional 'saucer' rotodome mounted aft of the wings on twin inward-canted pylons; the greater part of the rotodome is dielectric. The Chinese aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and has a greater range than offered by the Saab Microwave Systems Erieye. The aircraft nose was shorter and improved from usual glass-fared nose, like the Y-8F400 or Y-8-X, however the engine are not changed. A canoe shaped dome like E-8's array-phased antenna is located between the front and rear landing gears. The platform is characterized by the triple tail configuration (one large and two small), which was added for flight stability after the installation of new radar antenna.
The ZDK-03 system is an advanced Airborne Warning and Control System with sophisticated integrated sensors and communications suite. Pakistan Air Force had signed a contract in 2008 with CETC of China for the joint development of 04 ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft configured to Pakistan Air Force specifications. ZDK-03 began its life in early 2000s as Project 021. It’s one of many AWACS development programs China undertook after the PHACLON deal with Israel had to be dropped under US pressure. Unlike the KJ-2000 project which depends on the development of a new Chinese AESA radar, Project 021 took the safer route, aimed at perfecting mature technology existing in China. It was designed to satisfy PLA’s combat needs in any contingency over Taiwan. After the success of KJ-2000, Project 021 saw continued development as a potential export model. Although employing older technologies it is a full-fledged AWACS rather than AEWs Western countries are exporting. The 021 prototype was checked out by PAF but ZDK-03, the version sold to Pakistan, is an extensive redevelopment of the original Project 021 with newer designs and technologies. ZDK-03 AEW&C Karakoram Eagle has single active
electronically steered array radar from the Chinese KJ-2000 which is mounted on a turboprop-powered Y-8F600 in a rotating rotodome. Chinese KJ-2000 AWACS based on the IL-76 carries AESA Radar within its fixed rotodome in a triangular arrangement to provide a 360 degree coverage, on the other hand ZDK03 AEW&C Karakoram Eagle have a conventional rotating rotodome very much like that of E-3 and E-2C/D to
provide a 360 degree coverage. It uses both mechanical scanning (for horizontal) and electronic scanning (for vertical). Its Communication System is also custom built for PAF. In order to make sure ZDK-03 communicate with both Western and Chinese planes in PAF, the communication systems on ZDK-03 uses a number of off the shelf
News Archives NEWS ARCHIVES Western components integrated by Chinese engineers with Chinese front ends and software. A comprehensive ECM has also been designed for the ZDK-203 to add
versatility and teeth to PAF’s Air Defense System. Its Command and Control system is also state-of-the-art and highly sophisticated. The platform uses WJ6C turboprop engines and JL-4 composite propellers, which has better endurance and operates at higher altitude than the Swedish SAAB 2000 AEW platform acquired earlier by PAF. PAF plans to integrate both the Karakoram Eagle and the SAAB 2000 Erieye
with its front line fighters F-16 and JF-17 Thunder to develop a potent air
defense system which can also deliver a knockout punch to any adversary.
The induction of the ZDK-203 into PAF is another milestone in the exemplary history of cooperation between Pakistan and China. It was because of the high performance and low cost of this AEW&C system that prompted PAF to reduce its order for the Saab-2000 AEW&C Erieye from 6 to 4 systems. Pakistan’s reliance on its all weather friend China has been proved once again by the provision of the Karakoram Eagle. For years, Chinese defense industry suffered from the embargo by the western countries for releasing technology to China. It was forced to rely on the Soviet Union, whose defence industry was lagging behind the
west. Even when China’s economy was booming and it was able to afford western technology; it was denied access to the same under one pretext or the other. This in a way was a boon since Chinese engineers, started with reverse engineering and soon mastered the art of indigenization. Pakistan has greatly benefited from the Chinese principles of self reliance and a number of its joint ventures with China, like the Main Battle Tanks, Destroyers, trainers and fighter aircraft resulted from the same spirit of sharing and transfer of technology. Airborne Early Warning Systems were one area, where China endeavored to build on acquisition from the west and take advantage of its advanced prowess in the field. It planned to purchase the Israeli Phalcon Radar and mount it on the Russian IL-76.
However, Israel was deterred by the US although India, which pitches itself as a rival of China in the region, was granted permission by the US to acquire the same.
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