Chinese KJ-600 AEW may have performed maiden flight
The KJ-600, a carrier-borne airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft destined for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), may have performed its maiden flight on 29 August.
The project is shrouded in secrecy, but grainy long-range photos doing the rounds on the Chinese internet suggest that the aircraft has flown for the first time. Prior to that, satellite imagery from August showed the aircraft at Xi'an Yanliang Airport, where the Xi’an Aircraft Corporation (XAC) and China Flight Test Establishment are based.
Chinese media added little clarity on the event, with various publications merely saying the KJ-600 successfully achieved its maiden flight
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
![How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape]()
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
-
![Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion]()
Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion
The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.
