What's new

Pakistan's Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircrafts

ZDK-03 - Updated

ZDK-03 is an export AWACS system being developed for the Pakistani Air Force. This project was initiated in the early 2000. A Y-8 AWACS testbed (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 and carry a cheaper price tag. 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 (ZDK means CETC) and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring WJ-6C turboprops with 6-blade propellers. It was reported in early 2009 that a total of 4 were 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. A recent picture (July 2011) suggested that the second ZDK-03 has been built. ZDK-03 is expected to serve as the airborne command & control center for the JF-17 fighter fleet currently in service with PAF. However it appears to lack the secure datalink to effectively command western fighter aircraft such as American F-16. Recent images indicated that the T0518 testbed has been further modified to carry a fixed rotodom with three AESA antennas installed inside, which could be a downgraded version of the KJ-2000 AWACS system to be installed onboard the Y-7 carrierborne AWACS.
- Last Updated 7/16/11
 
Diffrence b/w AWACs/AEW&Cs Aircrafts Short description Please plzzzzzzzzzzz
 
Diffrence b/w AWACs/AEW&Cs Aircrafts Short description Please plzzzzzzzzzzz

Both are same , its just how the people call them . AEW&Cs is a latest term while AWACs was an older term use for the same purpose.
AEW&C is also known by the older terms "airborne early warning" (AEW) and "airborne warning and control system" (AWACS)
 
AWACS was the name of E-3 or people use to call it a AWACS but every airborne early warning aircraft is AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) .
while AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) .. there is no such a difference .
 
Saab 2000 AEW&C: Airborne Early Warning & Control variant fitted with Erieye radar and associated mission systems that PAF have now.

This System how much updated is this comparble with chines AEW isreli AEW and US AEW or better

and please give me history of Saab 2000 AEW&C when it was lunched?

and give names of comparble AEW&C system

looking for feature comparing ....anyone ?
 
[--Leo--];1997918 said:
Saab 2000 AEW&C: Airborne Early Warning & Control variant fitted with Erieye radar and associated mission systems that PAF have now.

This System how much updated is this comparble with chines AEW isreli AEW and US AEW or better

and please give me history of Saab 2000 AEW&C when it was lunched?

and give names of comparble AEW&C system

looking for feature comparing ....anyone ?

There is a phenomena called google, check it out sometimes.
 
zdk0313large.th.jpg
[/URL] [/IMG]

These are not the ZDK 03 meant for the PAF. As has already been mentioned that ZDK 03 for PAF are based on category III Y 8s featuring 6 blade propeller WJ 6C turboprop engines. The aircrafts in the pics are 4 blade propellers probably of category II aircrafts.
 
Hi, can any tell please when ZDK03 is arriving and inducting in PAF.I believe it was said by PAF official that first Chinese AWACS will arrive in first quarter of 2011.But still no news?
 
Pakistan will receive the first of four Shaanxi ZDK-03 Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft by the end of January 2011.

The other three aircraft are likely to arrive later in the year, says the Pakistan air force.

"The ZDK-03s have been developed to our specifications," says the air force. "It won't be an E-3C Sentry, but it will have the latest electronics and everything an AWACS aircraft needs."

The Chinese-built aircraft will have an active electronically scanned array radar, and its open architecture electronics will allow for future developments and upgrades.

Pakistan has also received its third of four Erieye radar-equipped Saab 2000s being acquired from Sweden, with the final aircraft likely to arrive in the coming months. The four-engined Chinese aircraft has a greater range than the Saab, say sources.

The ZDK-03 deal underlines the strong military ties between Pakistan and China. The countries have also jointly developed the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder fighter, of which Pakistan is likely to buy 200.

Purchasing AEW&C aircraft from two separate sources is indicative of Pakistan's strategy of not becoming too reliant on any one ally. The USA imposed military sanctions against Islamabad from 1990 until 2005 in response to its testing nuclear weapons.

The air force's current fleet includes Lockheed Martin F-16s, Dassault Mirage III/5s and Chengdu F-7s and JF-17s.

In terms of military transports, Pakistan flies Lockheed C-130s, but also operates Ilyushin Il-76/78 tankers.
 
Hi, can any tell please when ZDK03 is arriving and inducting in PAF.I believe it was said by PAF official that first Chinese AWACS will arrive in first quarter of 2011.But still no news?

my gut feeling is that the 'training' of crews is taking longer than expected or there may be some 'technical' issues which are being sorted out.
 
Saw a trainer SAAB-2000 at ISB airport, i have to admit, did not look that big as compared to the photos, maybe the RADAR at top makes a difference.
 

Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Pakistan Affairs Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom