ZDK-03
The ZDK-03 system is an advanced Airborne Warning and Control System with sophisticated integrated sensors and communications suite. Pakistan Air Force had signed a contract in 2008 with CETC of China for the joint development of 04 ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft configured to Pakistan Air Force specifications. ZDK-03 began its life in early 2000s as Project 021. It’s one of many AWACS development programs China undertook after the PHACLON deal with Israel had to be dropped under US pressure. Unlike the KJ-2000 project which depends on the development of a new Chinese AESA radar, Project 021 took the safer route, aimed at perfecting mature technology existing in China. It was designed to satisfy PLA’s combat needs in any contingency over Taiwan. After the success of KJ-2000, Project 021 saw continued development as a potential export model. Although employing older technologies it is a full-fledged AWACS rather than AEWs Western countries are exporting. The 021 prototype was checked out by PAF but ZDK-03, the version sold to Pakistan, is an extensive redevelopment of the original Project 021 with newer designs and technologies. ZDK-03 AEW&C Karakoram Eagle has single active electronically steered array radar from the Chinese KJ-2000 which is mounted on a turboprop-powered Y-8F600 in a rotating rotodome. Chinese KJ-2000 AWACS based on the IL-76 carries AESA Radar within its fixed rotodome in a triangular arrangement to provide a 360 degree coverage, on the other hand ZDK03 AEW&C Karakoram Eagle have a conventional rotating rotodome very much like that of E-3 and E-2C/D to provide a 360 degree coverage. It uses both mechanical scanning (for horizontal) and electronic scanning (for vertical). Its Communication System is also custom built for PAF. In order to make sure ZDK-03 communicate with both Western and Chinese planes in PAF, the communication systems on ZDK-03 uses a number of off the shelf News Archives NEWS ARCHIVES Western components integrated by Chinese engineers with Chinese front ends and software.