Regional Integrated Electronic System ("Qu Dian") - Project 995
Last updated: 27 January 2007
Theatre C4ISTAR system developed by CETC (Click to enlarge)
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The PLA began to construct a theatre-level command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target-acquisition, reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) network at its southeast coast region in the 1990s. This network, known as Regional Integrated Electronic System, or “Qu Dian”, is an automated battle management system that can support joint operations with combined ground, naval, and air forces. According to the Western intelligence, the “Qu Dian” system is similar to the U.S. Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), a secure communications network used by U.S. and allied aircraft, ships, submarines and ground units to communicate and share intelligence in wartime.
The centre of the “Qu Dian” system is a dedicated military communications satellite codenamed FengHuo-1 (FH-1) first launched in January 2000. The Pentagon described that system as "a secure, jam-resistant, high capacity data link communications system for use in a tactical combat." It was China’s first space-based communication platform to provide military units with both C-band and UHF communications. The “Qu Dian” system allows theatre commanders to communicate with and share data with all forces under joint command.
The current “Qu Dian” system in southeast China mainly focuses on a possible conflict with Taiwan. The system covers military units within Nanjing and Guangzhou military regions. The system includes a theatre joint operation C4I centre (JOC), which is capable of rapidly passing operational orders down the chain of command and moving information to national and theatre level decision makers. The theatre JOC has direct communication links with C4I centres of Nanjing Military Region (MR), Nanjing Military Region Air Force (MRAF), Guangzhou MR, Guangzhou MRAF, Navy Headquarters, East Sea Fleet, maritime task forces and a submarine intelligence centre.
The “Qu Dian” system enables theatre commanders to create an integrated battlefield picture, centralising data from ground, air, naval and space-based platforms for wide dissemination to subordinate units. The system controls a large number of platforms including imagery and radar reconnaissance satellites, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, ELINT ships, land-based observation stations, land-based electronic warfare & countermeasure (EW/ELINT) units, etc. |
