KJ-1 AEWC
Encyclopedia
The KJ-1 AEWC was a first generation Chinese AEW (Airborne Early Warning
) radar fitted to a Tupolev Tu-4
bomber. The project was started in 1969 under the code name "Project 926". The prototype aircraft is currently on display at the Chinese Aviation Museum in Beijing
. According to the Chinese governmental claim, a single Tu-4 AEW unit was equivalent to more than 40 ground radar stations, but the production was stopped due to the Cultural Revolution
. In the era of the Chinese economic reform
, the project was once again put on hold because economic development was the top priority. When the project was finally reviewed again for the modernization of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
, it was already too late and outdated, instead, China developed phased array radar
for its KJ-2000 AWACS.
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
) radar fitted to a Tupolev Tu-4
Tupolev Tu-4
The Tupolev Tu-4 was a piston-engined Soviet strategic bomber that served the Soviet Air Force from the late 1940s to mid 1960s...
bomber. The project was started in 1969 under the code name "Project 926". The prototype aircraft is currently on display at the Chinese Aviation Museum in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. According to the Chinese governmental claim, a single Tu-4 AEW unit was equivalent to more than 40 ground radar stations, but the production was stopped due to the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
. In the era of the Chinese economic reform
Chinese economic reform
The Chinese economic reform refers to the program of economic reforms called "Socialism with Chinese characteristics" in the People's Republic of China that were started in December 1978 by reformists within the Communist Party of China led by Deng Xiaoping.China had one of the world's largest...
, the project was once again put on hold because economic development was the top priority. When the project was finally reviewed again for the modernization of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
, it was already too late and outdated, instead, China developed phased array radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
for its KJ-2000 AWACS.