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PLAAF KJ-500

CETC / AVIC Shaanxi · Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C) · China · Digital Age (2010–present)

PLAAF KJ-500 — Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C)
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The KJ-500 Moth-A (Chinese: Kongjing-500) is a Chinese airborne early warning + control (AEW&C) aircraft — the larger more-capable successor to the KJ-200 + China's principal modern AEW&C platform. CETC + AVIC Shaanxi developed the KJ-500 in 2010-2014; first flight occurred in 2013. About 30+ KJ-500s have been built between 2015 and 2025. The aircraft serves PLAAF + PLA Naval Air Force AEW&C + long-range-air-defence-direction roles.

The KJ-500 uses the Shaanxi Y-9 four-turboprop airframe (improved Y-8 derivative). Maximum speed 660 km/h, endurance 12 hours, service ceiling 10,400 m. Mission equipment: large dorsal disc-shaped antenna housing (rather than the KJ-200's balance-beam) + AESA radar with 360° coverage + ~15-mission-operator workstation cabin + extensive ELINT + communications + satellite-link systems. The KJ-500 detects + tracks aircraft-sized targets at 600+ km range — notably improved over the KJ-200's 350-500 km range. The aircraft is the principal Chinese AEW&C platform of the 2020s.

KJ-500 service is rapidly expanding. PLAAF + PLA Naval Air Force operate ~30 KJ-500s for long-range air-defence early warning + fighter direction + maritime surveillance. The aircraft operates from Eastern + Northern China bases providing coverage of the East China Sea + South China Sea + Yellow Sea + Taiwan Strait. KJ-500 production is at ~5-7 airframes per year through the late 2020s; PLAAF + PLAN target ~50 KJ-500s by 2030.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The KJ-500 Moth-A is China's main flying radar plane. It first flew in 2013 and entered service in 2015. About 30 KJ-500s have been built as of 2025. China plans to have 50 KJ-500s by 2030.

The KJ-500 is built on the Shaanxi Y-9 four-turboprop body. The plane is 119 feet long with a 124-foot wingspan, longer than a Boeing 737. Top speed is 410 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane can stay airborne for 12 hours.

The KJ-500 has a big disc-shaped radar on top of the body. The dish contains a flat-panel AESA radar with 360-degree coverage. The radar can spot planes 370 miles away. About 15 mission operators work inside, tracking enemy aircraft and directing Chinese fighters.

The KJ-500 is China's answer to the American E-3 Sentry and E-7 Wedgetail. Chinese KJ-500s patrol the East and South China Seas, watching for Taiwanese, Japanese, and American aircraft. The KJ-500 has been seen near Taiwan many times as China increases pressure on Taiwan.

Fun Facts

  • The KJ-500 is China's main flying radar plane.
  • The KJ-500 is built on the Shaanxi Y-9 four-turboprop body.
  • The KJ-500 is 119 feet long, longer than a Boeing 737.
  • Top speed is 410 mph, faster than most race cars.
  • The radar can spot planes 370 miles away.
  • About 30 KJ-500s have been built as of 2025.
  • The KJ-500 can stay airborne for 12 hours.

Kids’ Questions

How is the radar different from an E-3?

The American E-3 Sentry has a spinning radar disc on top. The KJ-500's disc is the same shape but does not spin. Instead, the disc contains 3 flat-panel AESA radars covering 120 degrees each, together giving 360-degree coverage. This is the same idea as the newer American E-7 Wedgetail. The KJ-500 modernized the disc-on-top design while keeping the same look.

Why so close to Taiwan?

China claims Taiwan as part of China, although Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949. KJ-500s fly near Taiwan to track Taiwanese fighter jets and warn Chinese forces of any Taiwanese moves. The flights also show China's military strength to pressure Taiwan. American radar planes (E-3 and Japanese E-2) watch from the other side.

Will more be built?

China plans to have about 50 KJ-500s by 2030, almost twice the 2025 fleet. Newer versions with better radar and computers are also being built. The KJ-500 will be China's main flying radar plane through the 2030s. A bigger jet-powered KJ-3000 is also being developed for the PLA Air Force.

Variants

KJ-500A (PLAAF land-based)
Air Force variant. ~20 built.
KJ-500H (PLA Naval Air Force)
Navy variant. ~10 built. Improved maritime role.

Notable Operators

PLAAF (2015+)
Lead operator. ~20 KJ-500As in air-defence direction role.
PLA Naval Air Force
About 10 KJ-500Hs in maritime surveillance role.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the KJ-500 different from the KJ-200?

The KJ-200 is the original AEW&C with balance-beam-style antenna (~350-500 km radar range). The KJ-500 is the larger more-capable successor with disc-shaped dorsal antenna housing (~600+ km radar range) + larger mission-operator workstation cabin + improved AESA radar generations. Same general Shaanxi Y-8/Y-9 transport airframe heritage; KJ-500 is built on the improved Y-9 base while KJ-200 used the older Y-8F-600 base.

Is the KJ-500 China's most-capable AEW&C?

For widely-deployed types, yes. Larger Chinese AEW&C programmes exist: the KJ-2000 (4 airframes based on Beriev A-50 / Il-76 platform) + planned KJ-600 carrier-based AEW&C (in development for Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier). The KJ-500 is China's most-numerous + most-modern in-service AEW&C platform; the KJ-2000 is more-capable per-airframe but only 4 exist.

Sources

See Also