People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

The People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) is the naval aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy

People's Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...

of the People's Republic of China

People's Republic of China

China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

Mission

Primary Mission

Provide fleet
Naval fleet
A fleet, or naval fleet, is a large formation of warships, and the largest formation in any navy. A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land....

air defense for PLAN surface combatants
Patrol
Patrol
A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :...

and hunt/destroy for submarines
Air patrols and defense of territorial waters
Territorial waters
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most from the baseline of a coastal state...
Air defense of the mainland's coastline
Anti-ship attack

Secondary Mission

Transport
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...

and training
Training
The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
Search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
Assault transport and tactical support for amphibious operations
Interdiction attack on enemy ground targets

Current status

The PLANAF has 25,000 personnel and roughly 800 aircraft

Aircraft

An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...

under the navy's command. This is a considerably large naval aviation force considering the lack of aircraft carrier

Aircraft carrier

An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...

s. It operates similar aircraft to the air force

Air force

An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...

, including fighters

Fighter aircraft

A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...

, bombers, strike aircraft, tankers, reconnaissance

Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....

, electronic warfare

Electronic warfare

Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...

, maritime patrol

Maritime patrol

Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....

, seaplane

Seaplane

A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...

, transport

Transport

Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...

, training

Training

The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...

and helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

types. The PLANAF has traditionally received older aircraft than the PLAAF and has taken less ambitious steps towards mass modernization

Modernization

In the social sciences, modernization or modernisation refers to a model of an evolutionary transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society. The teleology of modernization is described in social evolutionism theories, existing as a template that has been generally followed by...

. Advancements in new technologies, weaponry and aircraft acquisition were made after 2000. The modern day PLANAF is capable of performing a number of roles, and is quite numerically and technologically adept in anti-ship and air defense operations.

History

Historically, the PLANAF's main role has been to provide the navy's warships with air defense coverage. Part of the coastal defense

Coastal defence and fortification

Coastal defence , Coastal defense and Coastal fortification are measures taken to provide protection against attack by military and naval forces at or near the shoreline...

doctrine

Doctrine

Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...

was to have naval aircraft protecting the ships, hence why many PLA ships of the 1960s-70s lacked long range anti-aircraft missiles or artillery. During the Sino-Vietnamese War

Sino-Vietnamese War

The Sino–Vietnamese War , also known as the Third Indochina War, known in the PRC as and in Vietnam as Chiến tranh chống bành trướng Trung Hoa , was a brief but bloody border war fought in 1979 between the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam...

, the PLANAF carried out many successful bombing and airstrike missions against Vietnamese territories, such as in the Spratly Islands

Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...

. The 1960s saw a series of air combat sorties flown against Taiwanese intruders

Republic of China Air Force

The Republic of China Air Force is the aviation branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. The ROCAF's primary mission is the defense of the airspace over and around Taiwan...

. PLANAF pilots have been credited with many major victories over the Taiwanese in these small incidents. Historical aircraft operated by the PLANAF include the J-5

Shenyang J-5

The Shenyang J-5 , originally designated Dongfeng-101 - , and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5...

, the J-6

Shenyang J-6

The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:...

, and H-5. These aircraft have been retired by the late 1990s.

Fighters

For fighter missions the PLANAF operates the J-7E and J-8II. The J-7E is a much improved design based on the original Soviet MiG-21. With new double delta wings and the PL-8 AAM, the J-7E is quite an effective dogfighter. The J-8II is an indigenous fighter with a nose mounted radar and capable of high speed high altitude interceptions. A small number of these fighters are in service, and are capable of being inflight refuelled by the navy's own H-6DU

Xian H-6

The Xian H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force....

tankers, modified from former navy H-6D missile bombers. The navy's air defense squadrons can always be complemented by the PLAAF, that operates more advanced combat aircraft including the J-11

Shenyang J-11

The Shenyang J-11 with NATO reporting name: Flanker B+ is a single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter based on the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27 air superiority fighter produced by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation...

B and J-10

Chengdu J-10

The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the People's Republic of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force...

fighters.

Strike and anti-ship attacks are carried out by the Q-5

Nanchang Q-5

The Nanchang Q-5 , also known as the A-5 in its export versions, is a Chinese-built jet ground-attack aircraft based on the Soviet MiG-19. Its main role is close air support.-Design and development:...

, JH-7, Su-30MKK and H-6

Xian H-6

The Xian H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force....

. The Q-5 was a design based on the J-6, but with provision for a nose radar. It has become the premiere light nuclear attack aircraft of the Chinese air force since the 1970s. Around 40 Q-5s are in service with the PLANAF. These are believed to be of the modified model that has a modified nose. These nuclear naval strike variants carried a search 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...

. Main armament were air dropped torpedoes and rockets, though it was believed these special Q-5s were capable of carrying one YJ8 air launched anti-ship missile

Anti-ship missile

Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...

. The JH-7 was an indigenous, supersonic, heavy nuclear attack aircraft with a crew of two. Its general performance and weapons delivery capability is thought to be comparable to early models of Panavia Tornado

Panavia Tornado

The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...

. The JH-7 was subsequently improved to the JH-7A, capable of carrying a variety of advanced Chinese and Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n precision munitions as well as anti-ship missiles. The JH-7 can be armed with the YJ82 improved air launched missile, or the Russian KH-31 ram jet anti-ship missile. The most recent acquisition of the PLANAF were a batch of 24 Su-30MK2. These aircraft are highly advanced and improved variants of the Su-30MKK. The primary difference between the naval variant and the air force one, is that the MK2 has a longer range search radar that could detect and attack surface ship targets with advanced long range missiles. The H-6 is a design based on the 1950s Soviet Tu-16 Badger. Though based on an old design, it has been built in new air frames and vastly improved models (similar to the upgrades given to the US B52s). Chinese H-6

Xian H-6

The Xian H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force....

variants in the navy include the H-6D, that specializes in carrying two anti-ship missiles. The PLANAF is believed to operate a much improved model, capable of launching the more advanced YJ-62 and YJ-8

C-802

The Yingji-82 or YJ-82 is a Chinese anti-ship missile first unveiled in 1989 by the China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy , also known as the Third Academy...

series anti-ship missiles.

Maritime patrol

For maritime patrol

Maritime patrol

Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....

, the PLANAF has the Y-8MPA, Y-8J and Harbin SH-5

Harbin SH-5

-See also:-References:***...

sea plane. The Y-8MPA is based on the Y-8

Shaanxi Y-8

The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji-8 aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Soviet Antonov An-12. It has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported...

heavy transport aircraft

Military transport aircraft

Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in...

. Although it carries no weapons, the Y-8MPA has a vast array of electronics and sensors that could detect surface ships, aircraft or submarines. The Y-8J is the Y-8 fitted with one of six (or eight) British Skymaster

Skymaster

Skymaster may refer to*An airline**Skymaster Airlines*Several aircraft**Cessna Skymaster**Douglas C-54 Skymaster**Cessna O-2 Skymaster*A satellite company**Skymaster *A comic book character**Skrullian skymaster*An amusement ride...

long range detection radars. These Y-8Js serve as AWACS to direct aircraft into interception, as well as providing target coverage for the PLAN combatants. The Harbin SH-5

Harbin SH-5

-See also:-References:***...

sea plane is capable of patrol, rescue and anti-submarine war

War

War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...

fare. For the latter role, the aircraft can carry a large payload of torpedoes and depth bombs.

Helicopters

Helicopters are an important asset aboard Chinese surface combatants. With over 30 surface warships and numerous auxiliaries capable of facilitating a helicopter, it is surprising that the PLANAF operates small numbers of ship-borne helicopters. Over the years, the PLANAF has operated the Changhe Z-8

Aérospatiale Super Frelon

The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....

, Harbin Z-9

Harbin Z-9

|-See also:-External links:* * *...

and Russian Ka-28 Helix. The Changhe Z-8 is the largest helicopter built in China yet, which is largely similar to the French Super Frelon design. The Z-8 is most efficient in auxiliary roles in the PLAN, such as towing mine clearing systems, vertical inflight refueling of smaller ships, and supporting the Chinese submarine

Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...

fleet. The Z-8 is also quite capable of carrying out attacks on submarines using dipping sonar and torpedo, and attacks against surface ships using the YJ-82

C-802

The Yingji-82 or YJ-82 is a Chinese anti-ship missile first unveiled in 1989 by the China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy , also known as the Third Academy...

missile.

The Z-9C and the French AS 565

Eurocopter Dauphin

The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...

have become standard helicopters for PLAN surface combatants. The French delivered eight AS 565N Dauphins to the PLANAF in the late 1980s to equip China's latest escorts. The Z-9C is an indigenous version of the AS 565. Numbers have not been confirmed, but around 25 are credited to be in service (though some estimate only 10). The Z-9C is a multi role medium sized helicopter capable of ASW, SAR and surface targeting roles. With the purchase of the Russian Sovremenny class destroyers, the Ka-28 Helix was also imported. This is the export version of the Ka-27, the standard ship borne helicopter for the Russian Navy. The Ka-28 is vastly superior to the Z-9C and Z-8 in performance, and is expected to be the new standard helicopter for future Chinese destroyers and frigates. Eight Ka-28s were delivered so far (with four ASW

Anti-submarine warfare

Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....

and four SAR

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

variants) to form a training regiment. More have since been delivered.

Future

The future of the PLANAF is unclear. However, it is certain that as the navy receives more attention, the PLANAF will receive newer aircraft and much more funding, as its significant role in projecting power over the sea is becoming evermore realized. A new transport helicopter, the Z-15, may enter naval service by 2015 as a dedicated medium sized multi-role shipborne helicopter. This would replace the Z-9C and complement the Ka-28 Helix. In early 2006, an article reported a deal between China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

and Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

, which sees the PLANAF's acquisition of 40 Ka-29 assault transports, 20+ Ka-31 AEW helicopters (mounted with search radar) and up to 20 Be-200 jet amphibians. If this purchase goes ahead, this would represent a major step forward for the PLANAF in terms of capabilities. The KA-29 may form the first dedicated transport for the marine corps

People's Liberation Army Marine Corps

The People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps is marine corps of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy...

, the Ka-31's powerful radar can serve in over-the-horizon target acquisitions and early warning for Chinese surface ships, and the Be-200 jet amphibian would replace the SH-5 in maritime patrol duties and ASW.

In addition PLANAF would undergo significant change once China's first aircraft carrier

Aircraft carrier

is fully operational.
Near the end of October 2006, Russia’s Kommersant

Kommersant

Kommersant is a commerce-oriented newspaper published in Russia. , the circulation was 131,000.- History :The newspaper was initially published in 1909, and it was closed down following the Bolshevik seizure of power and the introduction of censorship in 1917.In 1989, with the onset of press...

newspaper revealed that Russian state-run weapon exporter Rosoboronexport is completing negotiations with China to deliver up to 48 Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO codename: Flanker-D) carrier-capable fighter aircraft in a purchase deal reportedly worth $2.5 billion. The Su-33 is a variant of Sukhoi’s Su-27 Flanker with forward canards, foldings wings, an arrester hook, a reinforced structure, and other modifications that help it deal with carrier operations and landings.

As of 2011, China is developing its own version of the Su-33, called Shenyang J-15

Shenyang J-15

- References :Citations*- External links :*, J-15 fighter photos and introductions, AirForceWorld.com...

, which first flew in 2009.

On June 4, 2009, UPI reported that Eastern European sources had reported that preparations had been completed to construct an Aircraft Carrier at Changxing Island Shipyard. China has also started constructing its own Naval Aviation Testing and Training Complex (NITKA) near Xingcheng

Xingcheng

Xingcheng , former name Ningyuan , is a county-level city of Northeast China with a population of approximately 140,000 urban inhabitants, and is located in southwest Liaoning on the northern coast of the Bohai Sea...

with information acquired through espionage from Ukraine's NITKA.
The 67,500 ton ex-Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag

Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag

Varyag was to be an Admiral Kuznetsov class multirole aircraft carrier of the Soviet Union. She was known as Riga when her keel was laid down at Shipyard 444 in Nikolayev December 6, 1985. Design of the carrier was undertaken by the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau...

(Admiral Kuznetsov class), which was only 70% completed and floating in Ukraine, was purchased and has undergone a long refit. Varyag was stripped of any military equipment as well as her propulsion before she was put up for sale. News reports state that she is being refitted to be returned to operational status. According to Vice Admiral David J. Dorsett

David J. Dorsett

David John “Jack” Dorsett is a retired vice admiral of the U.S. Navy and was the first Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance and 63rd Director of Naval Intelligence...

of the U.S. Navy, sea trials of the carrier may start in late 2011.

Current Naval air force equipment

Xian JH-7

The Xian JH-7 ; NATO reporting name Flounder), also known as the FBC-1 Flying Leopard, is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force , and the People's Liberation Army Air Force...

Shenyang J-8

The Shenyang J-8 is a high-speed, high-altitude Chinese-built single-seat interceptor fighter aircraft.-J-8:...

-
|
| Multi role fighter
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Chengdu J-7D/E Fishbed

Chengdu J-7

The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...

|
| Interceptor
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 Flanker

Sukhoi Su-30MKK

The Sukhoi Su-30MKK is a modification of the Su-27 SK manufactured since 1999 by KnAAPO and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is considered an upgraded version of Sukhoi Su-30. It was jointly developed by Russia and China, similar to the Su-30MKI. It is a heavy class, all-weather, long-range...

Russia

Xian H-6

The Xian H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force....

Nanchang Q-5

Shaanxi Y-8

Shaanxi Y-8

Mainland China
| AEW
|
| 2
|
|-----
| Harbin SH-5

Harbin SH-5

-See also:-References:***...

Mainland China
| ASW
|
| 4
|
|-----
| Shaanxi Y-8

Shaanxi Y-8

Antonov An-24

The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Antonov Design Bureau from 1957.-Design and development:...

Mainland China
| Medium transport
|
|10
|a variant of Antonov An-24 Coke

Antonov An-24

The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Antonov Design Bureau from 1957.-Design and development:...

|-----
|Nanchang CJ-6

Nanchang CJ-6

-See also:-External links:***...

Soviet Union
| Light transport
|
|?
|based on Yakovlev Yak-18A Max

Yakovlev Yak-18

|-See also:-External links:*...

|-----
|Shenyang JianJiao JJ-6 Farmer

Shenyang J-6

The Shenyang J-6 was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter aircraft.-Design and development:...

Chengdu J-7

Mil Mi-8

The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

Shaanxi Y-8

Mainland China
| Medium transport
|
|?
| based on Antonov An-12 Cub

Antonov An-12

The Antonov An-12 is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. It is the military version of the Antonov An-10.-Design and development:...

|-----
|Antonov An-26

Antonov An-26

The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968.-Development:...

Antonov An-2

The Antonov An-2 is a single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed in the USSR in 1946...

Yakovlev Yak-42

The Yakovlev Yak-42 is a 100/120-seat three-engined mid-range passenger jet. It was designed as a replacement for several obsolete Aeroflot jets as a mid-range passenger jet...

Xian H-6

The Xian H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force....

Aérospatiale Super Frelon

Mainland China
| ASW
|
|?
| Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon

Aérospatiale Super Frelon

licensed copy
|-----
|Harbin Z-9

Harbin Z-9

|-See also:-External links:* * *...

Mainland China
| ASW/SAR
|
|?
| variant of Eurocopter SA 365 Dauphin

Eurocopter Dauphin

The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...

|-----
|Kamov Ka-28 Helix
|

Soviet Union
| ASW
|
|?
|
|-----
|Kamov Ka-27 Helix

Kamov Ka-27

|-See also:-External links:*...

Soviet Union
| ASW
|
|?
|
|-----

External links

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