In a previous article, the author talked about a series of comparisons between Chinese and American anti-submarine aircraft, such as the P8A and the Gaoxin-6 series. Today, we are going to talk about the contest between various electronic warfare aircraft of China and the United States. For example, China's Gaoxin 9 and Gaoxin 11 series, and the United States' EC130 series electronic warfare aircraft. At present, the number of various electronic warfare aircraft of the United States and China is about 180 against 90 aircraft. So, what exactly is the level of the two sides?
First, let's talk about the importance of electronic warfare aircraft. In fact, as early as the Cold War, the United States, the Soviet Union, and other world powers have successively developed their own electronic warfare aircraft. Of course, electronic warfare aircraft are also a process of gradual development. Early electronic warfare aircraft carried out comprehensive jamming and deception of various electronic equipment and radar systems of the enemy. The modern new generation of electronic warfare aircraft is capable of sending all kinds of misinformation to force the opponent's electronic systems to turn on and search, so as to obtain all kinds of key information, and even be able to "attract the opponent's weapons and strike at the opponent's targets."
According to the different roles of electronic warfare aircraft, different aircraft carriers have emerged, such as electronic warfare aircraft developed on the basis of medium-sized transport aircraft, regional passenger aircraft, fighters, etc. Taking the US military as an example, it has successively developed EA6B, EA18G, EC139H, EC130J, EC37B and other electronic warfare aircraft. In 2016, after all EA6B electronic warfare aircraft were retired, at present, the total number of electronic warfare aircraft in the United States is about 180, close to the scale of 190. Among them, EA18G electronic warfare aircraft, about 160 or so.
US Air Force EC130H electronic warfare aircraft
The EA18G electronic warfare aircraft was developed on the basis of the FA18 carrier-based fighter, which is part of the US Navy and is capable of taking off and landing operations on aircraft carriers. In addition to the EA18G, the U.S. Air Force has about 20 EC130H and EC130J electronic warfare aircraft, which are developed from the C130 medium transport aircraft. Compared to the electronic warfare aircraft, which is carried by a fighter, the version of the carrier of the transport aircraft, is more powerful.
Thanks to the crew carrying the entire crew, it is able to handle more complex tasks, facing a variety of situations and problems. The C130H and C130J have been in service for many years. Currently, the United States is developing a new generation of large electronic warfare aircraft. In 2023, the new generation of EC37B electronic warfare aircraft of the United States will fly test. The EC37B is based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet and features two turbofan engines. It has stronger capabilities in key indicators such as flight speed, cruising altitude and maximum range.
US Navy FA18G electronic warfare aircraft
Currently, the EC37B electronic warfare aircraft is in the process of development and testing and is not yet in service. Therefore, the main electronic warfare aircraft of the US army are more than 180 of them. Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned models, the United States has also developed models with certain electronic warfare capabilities on the basis of some F15 and F16 fighters and UH60 helicopters. However, it does not belong to the standard electronic warfare aircraft, and there are certain differences with professional electronic warfare aircraft.
Next, let's talk about the PLA troops. According to foreign media reports, at present, the number of electronic warfare planes of various types on the mainland has reached about 90. Among them, there are more than 60 J-16D fighters. Please note that this is a foreign media report and is not necessarily accurate. So, what are the models of the mainland's electronic warfare planes, and what are the specific performance?
US Navy FA18G electronic warfare aircraft
In fact, as of the 90s, the mainland did not have professional electronic warfare aircraft. The Gulf War of 1990. The United States' electronic warfare aircraft have made the Iraqi army suffer a lot, and it has also made the countries of the world see the importance of electronic warfare aircraft. The air situation in the Yellow Sea in 1994 made the PLA troops feel "nested in fire". However, in the 90s, the economic conditions and technological level were limited, but since the beginning of the 21 st century, the mainland's economy has developed rapidly, and the level of science and technology in all aspects has been rapidly improved.
For example, in the field of electronic warfare aircraft, the mainland has adopted a two-legged walking model. On the one hand, on the basis of the Y-8 and Y-9 transport aircraft, various versions of electronic warfare models have been developed one after another. On the other hand, on the basis of the domestic Flanker series of fighters, electronic warfare models are developed. At present, on the basis of the J-16 fighter, the mainland has developed a special J-16D electronic warfare aircraft. According to foreign media reports, the number has already exceeded 60 aircraft. At the same time, the mainland has also developed the J-15D electronic warfare aircraft on the basis of the J-15 carrier-based aircraft.
PLA J-16D electronic warfare aircraft
In all respects, very close to the J-16D, it is expected to equip various aircraft carriers of the PLA Navy. With the Y-8 and Y-9 series of transport aircraft as a platform, the mainland has developed a series of special warfare aircraft, such as anti-submarine, electronic reconnaissance, early warning, electronic warfare, and a series of derivative models. Among them, the Gaoxin No. 4 series belongs to the mainland's first-generation electronic warfare aircraft. However, the performance of Gaoxin-4 is relatively simple, and it is still dominated by electronic jamming, and cannot perform more complex electronic warfare tasks.
The Gaoxin-11 series of electronic warfare aircraft belongs to the second-generation electronic warfare aircraft developed by the mainland. Compared with the previous high-tech No. 4 series, in addition to electronic jamming and deception, the ability to guide and send wrong instructions has been comprehensively improved. As for the number of high-tech No. 4 and No. 11, two series of electronic warfare aircraft, the mainland did not report. According to foreign media reports, Gaoxin No. 4 and Gaoxin No. 11 have a total of more than 30 aircraft, and the specific number is unknown.
Chinese J-15D electronic warfare aircraft
In other words, the PLA units are already armed with at least more than 90 standard electronic warfare aircraft. This figure does not include non-professional electronic warfare aircraft with certain electronic warfare capabilities, such as the Y-9JB, Y-8JB, Y-8XZ, and Y-9XZ. In addition, some of the PLA troops' J-7 fighters have also developed models with certain electronic warfare capabilities.
Finally, we summarize the electronic warfare aircraft of the PLA. In terms of quantity, the number of electronic warfare aircraft in the PLA units is only about half that of the United States. However, 160 of the more than 180 electronic warfare aircraft in the United States have EA18G fighters. There are pros and cons to EA18G fighters, although the PLA forces only have about 90 electronic warfare aircraft. In terms of mission needs, it is basically sufficient for the needs of all branches of the armed forces at the present stage. In particular, the number of electronic warfare aircraft of the Air Force is already very impressive.
PLA high-tech No. 4 electronic warfare aircraft
In the future development of electronic warfare aircraft, the J-15D electronic warfare aircraft belongs to the top priority. After all, as of now, the PLA Navy does not have its own carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft. The 160 electronic warfare aircraft of the US Navy are capable of being assigned to various aircraft carrier formations. Therefore, the J-15D electronic warfare aircraft is a key task to quickly finalize and equip the PLA naval aviation. After all, in large-scale naval operations, electronic warfare aircraft can play an important role.
PLA high-tech No. 11 electronic warfare aircraft
At present, the mainland is second only to the United States in the number of electronic warfare planes, and is making great strides to catch up. Not only China, the United States, but other countries are also considering their own models of electronic warfare aircraft. Germany, for example, plans to further develop more than 10 electronic warfare models on the basis of the Typhoon fighter. It can be seen from this that all countries attach great importance to the development of electronic warfare aircraft.
Different models of electronic warfare aircraft of the PLA
A series of stories about the development of fighters in the PLA troops, and many more. The author will talk to you slowly in future articles.