In March of this year, new images of the next-generation KJ-600 early warning aircraft were posted on Chinese social networks., which is designed for deployment on aircraft carriers of the PLA Navy.
Flight tests of this machine, developed by Xi'an Aircraft Company, started in the fall 2020 of the year. From the end 2023 years, there have been reports of involvement in them 4-6 KJ-600 prototypes.
According to analysis of satellite images, KJ-600 has a wingspan 24,4 m and length 18,4 m, dimensions, that is, its design is characterized by compactness, necessary for operation from aircraft carriers. The AWACS vehicle can accommodate a team of four to six people, allowing for long duration surveillance and command missions.
The KJ-600's performance as a carrier-based aircraft remains in question. There is no evidence yet, that the KJ-600 can be used from the current two aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong, on which springboards without catapults are installed. Expected, that China's third aircraft carrier under construction, already got a flat deck, will be equipped with electromagnetic catapults, compatible with KJ-600.
KJ-600, probably, uses two WJ-6C turboprop engines, but may switch to newer WJ-10 powerplants in the future.Weibo
