The first Tu-154M/D in service with the PLA Air Force, carrying the CUA livery and civil aviation registration number B-4138 (Source: Chinese Internet)
The Tu-154M/D is the electronic intelligence aircraft converted from the Tupolev Tu-154M (NATO codename: Careless) passenger jet. The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is currently operating four modified Tu-154M/D jets equipped with electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems and possibly synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for ground mapping purpose. The Tu-154M/D is believed to be the most sophisticated airborne ELINT/surveillance platform in service with the PLAAF. It will serve a ‘force multiplier’ to increase the effectiveness of the PLAAF combat aircraft in an offensive air campaign.
In the late 1990s it was revealed that a Tu-154M passenger jet with register number B-4038 operated by China United Airlines (CUA), the former commercial branch of the PLAAF, has been converted for ELINT role. The modification of the aircraft reportedly began in 1992, with the first plane completed in 1995. The converted plane, known as Tu-154M/D in the PLAAF designation, features several semi-spherical fairings housing electronic warfare (EW) and ELINT equipment added under the aircraft fuselage. However, the aircraft continued carrying the CUA painting scheme and the civil aviation register number as a camouflage.
By late 2000 B-4138 was seen with a second major modification, featuring a large canoe shaped structure housing a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system fitted under the plane fuselage. This configuration is similar to that of the U.S. E-8 JSTARS.
So far a total of four examples of the Tu-154M/D have been identified in service with the PLA Air Force: B-4015, B-4024, B-4029, and B-4138.
Mission Equipment
Early Tu-154M/D: The early variant Tu-154M/D was equipped with the KZ800 ELINT system (Source: Chinese Internet)
The ELINT suite onboard the Tu-154M/D is thought to be the KZ800 ELINT system developed by Southwest Institute of Electronic Engineering (SWIEE), a subordinated member of China Electronic Technology Group (CETC). The KZ800 was described by its developer as a computerised airborne ELINT system designed to carried on medium- or large-size aircraft to detect, analyse, and locate enemy ship-/land-based radar emitting signal within the frequency range of 1.0~18.0 GHz. By accurately measuring and analysing the enemy radar signal, the system can provide information on enemy air defence radar network, the location of enemy airports, and the deployment of enemy artillery and missile forces.
Unconfirmed report suggested that the later variant Tu-154M/D carries a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system inside the enlarge canoe-shape fairing under the aircraft's fuselage. China began to develop the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology in the late 1970s, with the first operational airborne X-band mono-polarisation SAR system introduced in 1981 by the Electronic Institute of China Academy of Science. The mutli-polarisation SAR system was introduced in the early 1990s for flood monitoring. However, these systems could only be sued for image collecting but lack the image processing ability.
The first real-time airborne SAR system was introduced in 1994. The SAR image are processed by the equipment onboard the aircraft, allowing the images to be analysed in real-time. The image data can also be transmitted to ground stations via datalink communication system. Such a capability enables the system to be used in military operations to provide high-resolution, real-time battlefield information for the commanders.
Late Variant Tu-154M/D: The Tu-154M/D 'B-4024' with an enlarged under-fuselage fairing reportedly accommodating a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (Source: Chinese Internet)
Specifications
Flight crew: 5 Mission crew: N/A Dimentions: Wingspan 37.5m; Length 47.9m; Height 11.40m Weight: Empty 55,300kg; Normal take-off 100 tonnes Payload: 14 tonnes Powerplant: Three Aviadvigatel (Soloviev) D-30KU154II turbofans,
each rated at 103.6kN (23,380lb) Speed: Max cruising speed 950km/h Range: (With maximum payload) 3,700km; (with maximum fuel
and 5,450kg payload) 5,500km
