Y-9DZ Electronic Warfare Aircraft

June 12, 2023

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) recently intercepted PLA’s Y-9DZ electronic-warfare aircraft over the Pacific Ocean.

About Y-9DZ Electronic Warfare Aircraft:

  • The Y-9DZ is China’s newly developed electronic warfare version of the Y-9 aircraft.
  • It is a medium-range, medium-sized tactical transport aircraft manufactured by the Shaanxi Aircraft Company.
  • The Y-9DZ was initially spotted in 2017, and China officially unveiled this aircraft in 2019, along with another electronic warfare variant known as the Y-9G.
  • The Y-9DZ variant is the most advanced intelligence-gathering aircraft developed by China. 
  • This aircraft is capable of flying various special missions, including electronic intelligence, communication jamming, psychological operations missions and even surveillance missions during search and rescue operations.
  • Features:
    • It features state-of-the-art sensors and communication systems.
    • The Y-9DZ boasts two large rectangular-shaped ESM/ELINT (Electronic Support Measures and Electronic Intelligence) antennas on each side of the rear fuselage and a range of other antennas strategically placed throughout the aircraft. 
    • An oval dish-shaped ESM antenna is positioned atop the vertical fin, while a SATCOM antenna sits on the mid-fuselage. 
    • Presence of pipe-shaped antennas on the fuselage side suggests their purpose may be related to PSYOP operations (psychological operations).

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