Electronic Warfare and Intelligence (EW/ELINT)

Tu-154M/D Electronic Warfare and Intelligence  (EW/ELINT)

The Tu-154M/D is the electronic intelligence aircraft converted from the Tupolev Tu-154M (NATO codename: Careless) passenger jet. The PLAAF has been operating at least four modified Tu-154M/D jets equipped with an ELINT suite and possibly synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for ground mapping purpose.
In the late 1990s it was revealed that a Tu-154M passenger jet with register number B-4038 had been converted for ELINT role. The aircraft was one of a dozen operated by the China United Airlines (CUA), a commercial branch of the PLAAF at the time. The modification of the aircraft reportedly began in 1992, with the first plane completed in 1995. The converted plane, designated Tu-154M/D, featured several semi-spherical fairings housing ELINT antennas under its fuselage. The aircraft continued carrying the CUA painting scheme and the civil aviation register number as a camouflage.
By late 2000 B-4138 was seen with a second major modification, featuring a large canoe shaped structure housing a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system fitted under the plane fuselage. This configuration is similar to that of the U.S. E-8 JSTARS. So far a total of four examples of the Tu-154M/D have been identified in service with the PLAAF: B-4015, B-4024, B-4029, and B-4138.
The ELINT suite onboard the Tu-154M/D is thought to be the KZ800 ELINT system developed by Southwest Institute of Electronic Engineering (SWIEE), a subsidiary of China Electronic Technology Group (CETC). The KZ800 was described by its developer as a computerised airborne ELINT system designed to carried on medium- or large-size aircraft to detect, analyse, and locate enemy ship-/land-based radar emitting signal within the frequency range of 1.0~18.0 GHz. By accurately measuring and analysing the enemy radar signal, the system can provide information on enemy air defence radar network, the location of enemy airports, and the deployment of enemy artillery and missile forces.



Unconfirmed report suggested that the later variant Tu-154M/D carries a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system inside the enlarge canoe-shape fairing under the aircraft’s fuselage. China began to develop the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology in the late 1970s, with the first operational airborne X-band mono-polarisation SAR system introduced in 1981 by the Electronic Institute of China Academy of Science. The multi-polarisation SAR system was introduced in the early 1990s for flood monitoring. However, these systems could only be sued for image collecting but lack the image processing ability.
The first real-time airborne SAR system was introduced in 1994. The SAR image are processed by the equipment onboard the aircraft, allowing the images to be analysed in real-time. The image data can also be transmitted to ground stations via datalink communication system. Such a capability enables the system to be used in military operations to provide high-resolution, real-time battlefield information for the commanders.

HZ-5 Electronic Intelligence Aircraft

The HZ-5 is the electronic warfare and intelligence (EW/ELINT) variant of the Harbin H-5 (IL-28 Beagle) light jet bomber. An unknown number of the H-5 were converted for the EW/ELINT role in the 1980s for EW/ECM) roles. The aircraft had its original twin-23mm tail cannon turret removed to make room for the electronic suite. The three-man crew includes a pilot, a navigator and an electronic equipment operator.
Based on old analogue technology, HZ-5′s EW/ELINT suite could intercept, identify and jam hostile land-based or shipborne radar emitters. The HZ-5 usually operates in group of three to cover all spectrum of frequency. Despite its ageing technology, the powerful jammer onboard the aircraft is said to be very effective. One example was interfering of civilian frequencies far beyond the exercise zone during an exercise in 1997. The aircraft was withdrawn from active service in the late 1990s to be replaced by the more capable Y-8-based EW/ELINT aircraft.

Boeing 737 Airborne Command Post

At least two Boeing 737-300s belonging to the PLAAF 34th Air Division have been converted into airborne command posts carrying special command, control, and communications equipment. The plane features a large fairing containing electronic equipment (satellite communications?) located on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. Two more fairings are located underneath the mid-section of the fuselage, which could house secure datalink and/or ECM antennas. The aircraft also adopts a light grey air force colour scheme.

Y-8CB “Gaoxin 1″ Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Aircraft

The Y-8CB “Gaoxin 1″ is an electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft based on the Y-8C airframe, featuring a large canoe-shape fairing under the forward fuselage to house the phased array radar and ECM antenna. The aircraft retained the glass-in nose of the Y-8C, but had the rear loading ramp removed and replaced by an array of electronic equipment antennas. More antennas can be found under the fuselage between the main landing gears. As many as six examples have been spotted operational with the PLAAF 10^th Air Division.

Y-8JB “Gaoxin 2″ Naval Electronic Intelligence Aircraft

The Y-8JB “Gaoxin 2″ is a naval electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft based on the Y-8C airframe. The aircraft has a large under-chin fairing and a large semi-spherical fairing on top of the fuselage before the vertical tailfin. The latter is possibly used to house satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna for real-time data transmissions. There are also a number of smaller fairings and electronic antennas attached to its fuselage.
At least four examples of the Gaoxin 2 have been deployed by the PLA Navy. The first example carrying serial number ‘9351’ was first spotted in operational service with the PLA Naval Aviation 1st Independent Regiment from its base in Laiyang Naval Air Station, Shangdong Province in summer 2004. A second example was later identified serving with another naval aviation independent regiment at an unknown location. The Y-8JB “Gaoxin 2″ has been frequently spotted flying near Japanese waters and the disputed Diaoyu/Semkaku Islands since 2006.

Y-8G “Gaoxin 3″ Electronic Warfare Aircraft

Also known as YG-8 or K/JYG-8 in its military designation, the Gaoxin 3 is an electronic warfare aircraft designed for standoff electronic countermeasures (ECM) missions. The aircraft features two large cheek fairings, a smaller fairing on top of the vertical tailfin, and a cylinder-shape fairing under the fuselage. There are also a number of electronic antennas attached to the fuselage. An ECM suite onboard the aircraft could jam enemy radar and communications over a long distance, so that the aircraft does not have to enter the range enemy’s air defence. At least four examples have been identified in service with the PLAAF 10^th Air Division based at Dachang Airbase in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Y-8T “Gaoxin 4″ Communication Relay / Airborne Command Post Aircraft

The Y-8T “Gaoxin 4″ is an airborne communication relay / command post aircraft designed to facilitate air/ground communications in the battlefield and serve as a communication node in an integrated C3I network. The aircraft features a large semi-spherical fairing located on the back of the fuselage, which possibly houses a satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna, as well as a number of electronic antennas attached to the fuselage. Three examples are in service with the PLAAF.

Y-8XZ “Gaoxin 7″ Psychological Operations Aircraft

The Y-8XZ “Gaoxin 7″ is psychological operations (PSYOPS) aircraft based on the Y-8C platform. Similar to the USAF EC-130E Commando Solo, the Gaoxin 7 is equipped with high-power broadcast equipment for transmissions in both civilian (AM, FM, HF, TV) and military bands. The aircraft is intended to disrupt enemy communications and broadcasts, and demoralise enemy audience with propaganda broadcasting. Two examples have been in service with the PLAAF since 2007.

“Gaoxin 8″ Naval Electronic Intelligence Aircraft

The Gaoxin 8 is a new-generation ELINT aircraft based on the Y-9 platform. The aircraft features a large nose dome and four RW/ELINT antennas attached to the fuselage.