GaoXin GX variant Shaanxi Y-9 (Yun-9) (2024)

Shaanxi Y-9 (Yun-9) aircraft is a medium sized, medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China. The aircraft was developed as a stretched version of the Shaanxi Y-8F with greater payload and range. The Y-9 is considered China's attempt to build a C-130J class transport aircraft.

• Y-9JB (GaoXin 8) - A special modification of the Y-9 ( Claw )type aircraft designed for radio-exploration management (ELINT). This successor to the Y-8JB ( Mace ) type became part of the PLANAF armament. From the spring of 2013 to the present day, PLANAF has been given a total of four machines.
• Y-9W / KJ-500 (GaoXin 9) - A special modification of the Y-9 ( Claw )type airplane serving the role of the AWACS. Both prototypes of this Y-8W / KJ-200 ( Moth )aircraft were built before the end of 2013. The Y-9W (KJ-500) specialty became part of PLAAF and PLANAF. From the end of 2014 to the present day, PLAAF and PLANAF were handed over to 12 specials.
• Y-9XZ (GaoXin 10) - a special modification of the Y-9 ( Claw ) type aircraft designed for psychological warfare. This successor of the Y-8XZ specialty ( GaoXin 7 ) is allegedly in the PLAAF armament from mid-2014 .
• Y-9G (GaoXin 11) - A special modification of the Y-9 ( Claw )aircraft designed to conduct radio-electronic combat (REB). The existence of this successor of the Y-8G type ( GaoXin 3 ) is known since April 2014. There were at least two Y-9G specials on the PLAAF inventory by 2018. The GX-11 that was photographed showed two large, side-facing arrays on both sides of the fuselage, one near the ramp door and another aft of the co*ckpit.
• Y-9X (GaoXin 12) - Special modification of the Y-9 type ( Claw) of unknown misssion. A satellite image showed the GX-12 with the rear array installed only on the starboard side but with other antennae installed around the aircraft. The hull of this model is made up of a large thimble dielectric cover. Beneath the fuselage, just in front of the nose chassis, the Y-9X specialty is a large dielectric housing with a semicircular shape. Between the bow and the main chassis is an elongated boat-shaped dielectric housing. On the back of the fuselage, right behind the Y-9X special wing, there is a semicircular dielectric cover of SATCOM antenna. From the sides of the rear of the hull of this special, at the level of the SOP precursor, there are large square dielectric covers. Other antennas are located inside a cylindrical container that is attached to the top of the SOP, and inside the end of the hull. The existence of a prototype of the Y-9X type is known from the satellite images of CFTE airport in November 2017.
• Y-9LH (Claw) - modification of the Y-9 ( Claw ) aircraft for the Air Force. The existence of this model has been known since December 22, 2016.

Shaanxi Y-9G ( GaoXin 11 )

• installation of a small semicircular dielectric cover on the front of the torso, directly behind the nose of the weather radar, in place of the spherical cover of the electro-optical observation system
• Absence of all lateral rounded windows
• installation of a large pair of elongated raised dielectric covers (with a flat top and bottom edge and a rounded front and rear edge) on the sides of the fuselage, between the entrance door and the wing
• installation of a pair of raised dielectric housings with oval outline on the sides of the rear of the fuselage, just behind the wing
• installation of a pair of large dielectric panels with rectangular shape on the sides of the rear fuselage, at the level of an elongated SOP. These panels are not included in the coating and flush with the contour of the fuselage.
• absence of stern cargo doors. The back of the hull of this model has a rounded but not flat profile.
• different shape and smaller dimensions of the dielectric housing forming the ends of the hull. Rear-end dielectric cover of this model is oval rather than circular cross-section and a smaller length.
• Installing one pair of hemispherical dielectric covers below the wing end
• Installation of one pair of vertical plate antennas with rectangular shape on the sides of the SOP, directly in front of the rudder. The above mentioned antennas are attached to the sides of the SOP by means of two short pylons placed one above the other.
• installing a line of cutting blades on the torso, in the area between the bow and main chassis
• Installation of a cylindrical dielectric housing at the top of the SOP

Shaanxi Y-9G ( GaoXin ?? )

China has reportedly developed a new type of electronic warfare aircraft with extra antenna installations. The aircraft appears to have been developed from the Y-9, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times on 07 March 2019. The Y-9, a medium-sized tactical transport plane with a maximum range of about 4,000 kilometers, has been modified, including as early warning aircraft, reconnaissance plane and anti-submarine aircraft, CCTV reported in 2018.

The military expert said that it would gather intelligence on whatever comes near the South China Sea and East China Sea to gain an advantage in case of conflict. A photo of the aircraft was featured in a China Central Television (CCTV) report on Wednesday, which called the warplane "a new type of special mission aircraft," without giving an exact designation.

But the new variation is unlike the others: It has what seems to be a hemispheric radar dome under its chin, two large antennas on each side of the plane, an antenna on each side of the tailfin and an electronic warfare pod on top of the tailfin. The devices on the plane mean it could effectively monitor enemies' radio communication and intercept their radar signals, Wei said.

It can also deliver electronic suppression, supporting China's aerial strike units by jamming and paralyzing hostile air defense systems, the report said. However, Wei believes that the aggressive role is better left to electronic warfare aircraft modified from a fighter jet instead of from a transport plane, because the latter is more vulnerable and flies slower.

One important role the new aircraft could play is to gather intelligence and electronic data in the South China Sea and East China Sea on whatever comes near, according to Wei. With the pre-knowledge of hostile electronic signals, China can launch pointed electronic suppression and jamming in case of a conflict, which brings a significant advantage, he said.

The new aircraft could replace the GX-4 (GaoXin 4), an older electronic warfare plane developed from the Y-8 transport plane, because the Y-9 platform can fly longer and carry more devices, experts said. An airplane with the same traits was photographed years ago, but was grounded and painted yellow, which usually means it was in development. Military observers called it the GX-11. . In the near future, all Y-8G (Mouse ) seem to be replaced by the the Y-9G specialty ( GaoXin 11 ), based on a four-cylinder turbo-propeller Y-9 transport aircraft ( Claw ).