New ELINT Y-8 Variant Operational

摘要

The first images of an operational Shaanxi Y-8GX-8 electronic-intelligence (ELINT) gathering aircraft were recently released on the internet. While the aircraft is similar to the recent 'High New' (Gao Xin, GX) series special missions versions, it is based on the more modern Y-8 Cat Ⅲ Platform - effectively a Y-9 airframe - powered by four WJ-6C turboprop engines with six-blade propellers. It is recognisable by the addition of two additional small vertical 'endplate' fins on the horizontal tail.