aimarraul
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It was rumored that a much-needed ASW variant of Y-8 (Y-8Q/High New 6?) similar to American P-3C has been under development since 2007, but it has yet to enter the service with PLAN. The aircraft is believed to be based on Y-8 Catagory III Platform with a fully pressurized cabin, four 6-blade high efficiency blades and horizontal tailplanes with small vertical stabilizers. It also features a large chin radome housing a surface search radar and a FLIR turret underneath the forward fuselage. A pair of MAWS sensors are installed on both sides of its nose cone. A series of antennas are seen on top of forward fuselage and underneath the rear fuselage for communication and ELINT purpose. Two pairs of RWR antennas are installed at the tip of the vertical tailfin. The most noticeable feature of Y-8Q is a MAD sting on its tail. Its lower fuselage in the mid-section of the aircraft has been modified extensively to house an internal bomb bay for carrying light torpedos even AShMs. Two large windows are seen in the rear fuselage for observation purpose. Currently at least two Y-8Q prototype have been built by SAC.
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