Photos of the upgraded KJ-200B AEW&C have been circulating . It is estimated that this aircraft is already in service with the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF).
There are rumors, however, that it is no longer a pure AEW ( Airborne Early Warning ) aircraft, but has been coupled with ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities.
The KJ-200 family was developed by the Shaanxi aircraft manufacturer using the Y-8F-600 military transport aircraft platform.
The aircraft has used a Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW150B turboprop engine and Honeywell avionics.
The KJ-200 carries an AESA radar on its back that is visually similar to the Saab Erieye system from Sweden and has a ventral sensor dome mounted.
The KJ-200's first public debut was when it was included in the National Day military parade of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009.
In February 2017, a US Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion and KJ-200 accidentally came close to each other over the South China Sea, only 300 m apart.
Currently, 11 units of the classic KJ-200 series have been produced, with details of five used by the PLAAF and six KJ-200H series used by the PLA Navy.
Regarding Chinese AEW&C aircraft, it starts with the word KJ or Kōng Jǐng (which is short for Kōng Zhōng Yù Jǐng) which means Airborne Early Warning).
Apart from the KJ-200, currently the PLAAF operates the KJ-500 based on the Shaanxi Y-9 transport aircraft
and the KJ-2000 uses the Ilyushin Il-76 jet transport aircraft.
