In the military parade to be held in September 2025 for the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, China's new-generation carrier-borne early warning aircraft KJ-600 is expected to appear alongside the J-15 series carrier-based aircraft, drawing significant attention. Photos from the parade rehearsals circulating online show that KJ-600 has entered a mature phase. Its technical performance and strategic significance mark a major breakthrough for the naval aviation of the Chinese Navy.

KJ-600, as China's first carrier-borne fixed-wing early warning aircraft, fills the gap in the field of carrier-borne early warning for the naval aviation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Since its maiden flight in 2020, KJ-600 has undergone multiple flight tests and may have already completed takeoff and landing trials on the Fujian-class aircraft carrier, indicating that it has achieved initial operational capability. Its core technical highlights include:

KJ-600 is equipped with a two-panel active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar using gallium nitride (GaN) T/R modules, achieving full 360-degree coverage, with scanning speeds far exceeding those of traditional mechanical scanning radars. It can detect fighter-class targets at a range of 400-500 kilometers, simultaneously track 300-500 targets, and guide dozens of batches of fighters for interception or air combat. In comparison, the U.S. Navy's E-2D "Advanced Hawkeye" uses the AN/APY-9 radar, which remains a hybrid design combining mechanical rotation and electronic scanning (UHF band), falling short of the fully digital AESA radar.

Invisible target detection capability: KJ-600 enhances the detection capabilities for stealth targets such as F-35 and B-21 through high-frequency bands and advanced algorithms, further improving multimodal detection efficiency.

Electronic warfare and signals intelligence capability: The AESA radar integrated into KJ-600 has electronic warfare functions, capable of implementing noise or deceptive interference against enemy shipborne and airborne radars, and intercepting enemy radar and communication signals through passive detection technology to locate radiation sources. This capability is designed to counter enemy air defense missile systems, significantly enhancing the electronic countermeasure capabilities of China's aircraft carrier strike group.

Tactical data link and collaborative engagement capability: Although specific details are not publicly disclosed, thanks to China's technological advantages in communications, KJ-600's data link transmission rate is believed to surpass that of the U.S. Navy's Link-16, supporting real-time sharing of high-definition images and radar data. Its tactical data link and collaborative engagement capability can guide shipborne air defense missiles for beyond-the-horizon interceptions or coordinate with Type 055 destroyers and J-35 fighters to implement the "A shoots B guides" mode, expanding the fleet's air defense range. It should be noted that KJ-600 primarily focuses on situational awareness, while data processing and command still need to be handled by the aircraft carrier's command and control center, making data link transmission capability an extremely important indicator.

In summary, compared to the E-2D, KJ-600 demonstrates generational advantages in radar technology, electronic warfare capabilities, and data link performance. Despite the E-2D's competitive edge due to its rich combat experience and export records, its core technology has become outdated and cannot match the modernized design of KJ-600.

The deployment of KJ-600 holds profound strategic significance for the development of China's aircraft carrier strike groups, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Bridging the asymmetrical advantage in situational awareness: The deployment of KJ-600 enables China's aircraft carrier task force to possess equal or even superior aerial early warning and command capabilities, significantly narrowing the technological gap with the United States. Its 360-degree all-around radar and long-range detection capabilities allow China's aircraft carrier strike group to more accurately grasp battlefield situations in complex electromagnetic environments, weakening the traditional advantages of the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region.

The collaborative combat capabilities of KJ-600 with J-15, J-35, and Type 055 destroyers construct a multi-layered, multi-dimensional air defense and strike system. Its guidance of beyond-the-horizon interceptions and "A shoots B guides" mode makes China's aircraft carrier task force more resilient in the face of threats from stealth fighters and anti-ship missiles, further enhancing its long-distance combat capabilities.

Market potential and geopolitical influence: KJ-600 serves not only the Chinese People's Liberation Army but also has the potential to become a calling card for China's military exports. Compared to the expensive KJ-500, KJ-600, as a medium-sized carrier-borne early warning aircraft, is more competitively priced, suitable for third-world countries to build up their air combat systems.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515068440692998691/

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