Y-8 (GaoXin 2) Electronic Intelligence Aircraft

The “Gaoxin 2” project is the electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft based on the Yun-8C platform. The aircraft is fitted with an extensive array of sophisticated equipment to monitor enemy electronic activities. The GaoXin 2 features a large under-chin radome and a large semi-spherical radome on top of the fuselage before the vertical tailfin, both of which could be used to house electronic equipment antennas. The aircraft also has a number of smaller radomes and electronic antennas attached to its fuselage.

The PLA Naval Aviation Corps currently deploys a small number of the aircraft. 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 aircraft has also been spotted flying near the Japanese coast since 2006.

Last update: 14 March 2009