The PLAAF and PLAN Aviation have a variety of fixed-wing Special Mission Aircraft that play a focal role in their air operations. Most are based on the Y-8 and Y-9 airframes, China’s updated version of the Antonov An-12BP Cub-A. These aircraft frequently operate in the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait but can be difficult to identify due to both the sheer number of variants and their visual similarity. The goal of this guide is to provide a catalog of the many variants and a key to identifying them. This guide will be updated if/when new variants are identified. NOTE: All Y-8 and Y-9 aircraft in this guide are listed in alphabetical order.
Y-8CB
The Y-8CB is an ELINT aircraft that entered into service with the PLAAF in 2000. It is identified by a large dielectric fairing at the front of its fin (1) and a canoe-shaped fairing on the bottom of the fuselage (2). It has flown multiple missions over the East China Sea, which have been tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo).
Y-8DZ
The Y-8DZ is an ELINT aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in the late 2010s. It is an upgraded version of the Y-8CB which can be identified by its chin radome (1), square dielectrics on the front of the fuselage (2), and semi-ovular dielectrics at the rear of the fuselage (3). It has flown multiple missions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-8 ELINT designator (see photo).
Y-8G
The Y-8G is a battlefield surveillance and ECM aircraft that entered into service in 2005. It is identified by its two large “cheeks” on the front of the aircraft (1). It has flown missions above the East China Sea which have been tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo). It has also flown missions inside Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-8EW designator.
Y-8J
The Y-8J is an AEW&C aircraft that entered service with PLAN Aviation in the late 1990s. It can be identified by its large black nose radome (1). It has flown multiple missions over the East China Sea which have been tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo).
Y-8JB
The Y-8JB is an ELINT aircraft that entered service with PLAN Aviation in the early 2010s. It can be identified by its large chin radome (1), small thimble-shaped antennae mounted on the front of the navigator’s station (2), trapezoidal aerials on the on top of the front end of the fuselage (3), and cylindrical antenna housing on top of the back end of the fuselage (4). It has flown multiple missions over the East China Sea which have been tracked by the Japanese Mod (see photo).
Y-8JZ/Y-9JZ
The Y-8JZ (also reported as Y-9JZ) is an ELINT aircraft that entered service with PLAN Aviation in 2013. While it looks similar to the Y-9DZ, it can be identified by its nose shape (1), thimble-shaped chin radome (2), semi-ovular dielectric fairings on the front left and right of the fuselage (3), semi-circular antenna housing on top of the rear of the fuselage (4), and semi-rectangular dielectric fairings on the back left and right of the fuselage (5). It has flown multiple missions in the East China Sea which were tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo). It has also flown missions inside Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-8 ELINT designator.
Y-8Q/KQ-200
The Y-8Q/KQ-200 is an anti-submarine warfare aircraft that entered service with PLAN Aviation in 2015. It can be identified by its large “stinger” which is attached to the rear of the aircraft (1) and huge chin radome (2). The Y-8Q has flown at least one mission in the East China Sea which was tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo). It has also flown multiple missions inside Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-8 ASW designator.
Y-8T
The Y-8T is a Command, Control, and Communications (C3) aircraft that entered into service in 2004. It is identified by a tear-shaped dielectric on top of the fuselage (1) and removed cargo ramp in the rear (2). It has flown one mission through Taiwan’s Southwestern ADIZ and is reported with the Y-8 C3 designator (see photo).
Y-8X
The Y-8X is a maritime patrol aircraft that entered service with PLAN Aviation in 1984. It can be identified by its chin radome (1). It has flown at least one mission in the East China Sea which was tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo).
Y-8XZ
The Y-8XZ is a Psychological Warfare aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in 2007. It is identified by its fuselage-mounted square plates (1) and its tail-mounted t-shaped aerials (2). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
Y-9DZ
The Y-9DZ is an ELINT aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in the late 2010s. It is an upgraded version of the PLAAF Y-8DZ ELINT aircraft which can be differentiated by its nose shape (1), thimble-shaped radome (2), and fin-mounted semi-elliptical ESM antenna (3). It has flown multiple missions inside Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-9CC designator.
Y-9G
The Y-9G is an ECM aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in the mid-2010s. It is an upgraded version of the Y-8G which can be differentiated by its deep chin radome (1), two oval-shaped dielectric panels (2), and two circular dielectrics (3). It has flown at least one mission through the East China Sea, which was tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo). It has also flown multiple missions inside Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the Y-9EW designator
Y-9Q
The Y-9Q is an anti-submarine warfare aircraft that may have entered service with PLAN Aviation in early 2023. It is an upgraded version of the Y-8Q and can be identified by its large “stinger” attached to the rear of the aircraft (1), and smaller nose shape (2). It has not been publicly tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
Y-9XZ
The Y-9XZ is a Psychological Warfare aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in 2014. It is an upgraded version of the Y-8XZ which can be differentiated by its nose shape (1) and the mid-tail position of its large t-shaped aerials (2). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
KJ-200
The KJ-200 is an AEW&C aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in the mid-2000s. It is identified by its distinctive “balance beam” antenna array located on the top of the fuselage (1). It has flown at least one mission in the East China Sea, which was tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo). It has also flown. It has also flown two missions in Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported with the KJ-200 designator.
KJ-200A
The KJ-200A is an upgraded version of the KJ-200 that entered service with the PLAAF in the mid-2010s. While it sports the same “balance beam” antenna (1), it can be differentiated by its nose shape (2), and lack of chin radome (3). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
KJ-200B
The KJ-200B is an upgraded version of the KJ-200A which entered service with the PLAAF in 2020. It can be differentiated by its “pillbox” shaped dielectric on the underside of the fuselage (1), tear-shaped dielectric on top of the fuselage (2), and fin-mounted semi-elliptical ECM antenna (3). Like the KJ-200 and KJ-200A, the KJ-200B sports the “balance beam” antenna (4). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
KJ-200AG
The KJ-200AG is an upgraded version of the KJ-200A that may have entered into service in 2022. Like all KJ-200 variants, it sports the “balance beam” antenna (1). It can be differentiated by its IFR probe mounted above the cockpit and semi-ovular dielectrics on the rear left and right of the fuselage. It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
KJ-200H
The KJ-200H entered service with PLAN Aviation in the mid-2000s. It is nearly identical to the KJ-200 save for some models which have PLAN lettering or the PLAN insignia painted on the front of the fuselage (1). It has flown at least two missions in the East China see which were tracked by the Japanese MoD.
KJ-500
The KJ-500 is an AEW&C aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in 2014. It is identified by the large “unrotodome” on top of the fuselage (1). It has flown multiple missions in Taiwan’s ADIZ and is reported under the KJ-500 AEW&C designator.
KJ-500A
The KJ-500A is an upgraded version of the KJ-500 that entered into service in 2020. Like all KJ-500 variants, it sports the “unrotodome” on top of the fuselage (1). It can be differentiated by the IFR probe on the front of the fuselage (2). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or the Taiwanese MoND.
KJ-500H
The KJ-500H entered service with PLAN Aviation in 2015. It is identical to the PLAAF version save for some models which sport PLAN lettering or the PLAN insignia (1). It has flown at least one mission over the East China Sea which was tracked by the Japanese MoD.
KJ-2000
The KJ-2000 is an AEW&C aircraft that entered service with the PLAAF in 2007. It is a converted Russian IL-76MD which can be identified by its large rotodome on top of the fuselage. It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or the Taiwanese MoND.
Tu-154M/D
The Tu-154M/D is an ELINT aircraft that entered into service with the PLAAF in 1995. It is a modified Russian Tu-154M which can be identified by the large canoe-shaped radar housing on the underside of the fuselage. It has flown multiple missions in the East China Sea, which have been tracked by the Japanese MoD (see photo).
Boeing 737-300 ABCP
The Boeing 737-300 ABCP is a Command, Control, and Communications (C3) aircraft that entered into service in the mid-2000s. It is a modified version of the Boeing 737-300 commercial aircraft which can be identified by the tear-shaped dielectric on top of the fuselage (1). It has not been (publicly) tracked by either the Japanese MoD or Taiwanese MoND.
