ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle
Summary
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Manufacturer | Shaanxi |
| First flight | 1 January 2010 |
| Year introduced | 2011 |
| Number produced | 4 units |
Technical specifications
| Version: ZDK-03 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 flight crew + mission operators |
| Operational range | 5,615 km (3,489 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 660 km/h (410 mph) |
| Wing area | 121.9 m² (1312.1 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 38 m (124.7 ft) |
| Height | 11.2 m (36.6 ft) |
| Length | 34.0 m (111.6 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 10,400 m (34,121 ft) |
| Empty weight | 35,490 kg (78,242 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 61,000 kg (134,482 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 10.0 m/s (32.8 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 4 x Zhuzhou WoJiang-6 (WJ-6) delivering 793 kW each |
Current operating countries
All operators
Description
The ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle is a Chinese-built airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation. Produced for the Pakistan Air Force, which ordered four units, the aircraft is based on the Y-8F600 four-engine turboprop platform. The first flight of the ZDK-03 took place in 2010. Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation delivered the first unit to Pakistan on 12 October 2011, and the fourth and final aircraft on 26 February 2015.
The ZDK-03 carries a Chinese Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar inside a fixed circular dorsal rotodome. This radar's range is reported to exceed that of Pakistan's Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C system. To support future upgrades, the aircraft's mission systems utilize open-architecture electronics. The underlying Y-8F600 platform incorporates a redesigned fuselage, Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, an Electronic Flight Instrument System glass cockpit, and is operated by a two-person flight crew.
The Pakistan Air Force is the sole operator of the ZDK-03. The aircraft are assigned to No. 4 AEW&C Squadron ("Karakoram Eagles"), under the 32nd Air Mobility Wing, and operate from PAF Base Masroor.