Xi'an KJ-600
The Xi'an KJ-600 is a Chinese twin-propeller, quad-tail, folding high-wing military aircraft designed for carrier-based airborne early warning and control and cargo delivery, intended for catapult-launched operations on Type 003 and later-class aircraft carriers of the People's Liberation Army Navy from around 2025.
Development
The aircraft made its maiden flight on 29 August 2020. Flight testing continued in 2021. A prototype in flight was spotted by aircraft observers above the testing facility in October 2021. In late 2023 "intensive trials" were underway with at least four, possibly even six, prototypes, according to Gu Min Chul.On 3 September 2025, one KJ-600 attended the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan military parade as part of the flypast over Tiananmen Square, appearing to the public for the first time. Chinese state media China Daily announced that KJ-600 is deployed with the People's Liberation Army Navy.
As of 2025, a cargo variant of the KJ-600 for carrier onboard delivery was likely under development.
Design
The KJ-600 is a high-straight wing aircraft reportedly powered by a pair of WJ-6 turboprop engine, and sports a quad-fin tailplane, tricycle gear and a large dorsal radome suspected to be fitted with an active electronically scanned array -type system. A non-flying model was observed on a concrete mockup carrier at the Wuhan electronic testing facility in 2019. The mockup has a striking external resemblance to the aftward-folding Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.The KJ-600 serves the airborne early warning and control roles on the Fujian carrier, extending the detection, surveillance, and command and control range of the carrier strike group.