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 J-7D Fishbed 
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J-7D was co-developed by CAC and 611 Institute in the early 90s (first flew in
August 1991 as J-7IIIA) in order to address some of the shortcomings of
J-7C/Mig-21MF all-weather fighter, such as poor maneuverability and poor performance of its fire-control
system. As the result, a more powerful WP-13F1 turbojet (7,300kg w/ afterburning) was installed to improve
the maneuverability. Avionics were upgraded as well, which include more reliable JL-7A J-band fire-control
radar, HK-13A HUD and fire-control computer, JD-3II TACAN, 563B INS, and RKL-800 integrated ECM system, 941-4A
chaff/flare dispenser. J-7D can be distinguished by a new set of 930-4 RWR antennas on top of the
vertical tailfin. The aircraft also features an improved weapon management system for the new PL-8 IR homing
AAMs. Nevertheless, the J-7D design has proved to be as unsuccessful as J-7C, since it can neither
fire medium-range radar-homing AAMs in BVR air combat, nor can it maneuver as agily as J-7E in close-in
dogfight. Therefore in a sense it is no better than Mig-21bis which flew 20 years earlier. Only 32 were
produced between 1995 and 1999. Like its predecessor, J-7D only saw
limited service as a dedicated night fighter wearing a new light gray camouflage (S/N 20x6x, 41x1x).
- Last Updated 7/2/10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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J-7E Fishbed
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A PLAN J-7E (K/JJ7E) carrying two PL-5B IR
homing AAMs was preparing for landing. This new variant of J-7 features double-delta wings and wears a light
gray camouflage. The new wings retain the existing leading-edge sweep angle of 57° inboard but have
reduced sweep of only 42° outboard. This results in a slightly larger wing span and 8.17% more wing area,
giving J-7E a bigger fuel capacity and better maneuverability. It is also fitted with a JT-1 HUD,
930-4 RWR, 8430 air data computer, improved Type 226 ranging radar, JD-3 TACAN, 941-4AC chaff/flare dispenser
and GPS (fitted on J-7EB). Main armament includes up to four PL-5B or two PL-8 IR-guided AAMs and a single
30mm cannon on the starboard side. Powered by an upgraded WP-13F turbojet (14,330lb/6,600kg with afterburning),
J-7E is believed to be more deadly in dogfight than its predecessor. It was reported that 263
J-7E were produced and are in service with PLA Naval Aviation (as J-7EH, S/N 83x4x) and PLAAF
(S/N 10x4x, 10x5x, 20x0x, 20x5x,
21x5x, 30x2x, 40x1x,
41x8x, 50x8x, 60x8x?*),
replacing the obsolete J-6 and J-7B.* All serve in the "Blue Force Squadron" at the PLAAF Flight Test & Training Base. - Last Updated 4/16/10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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F-7PG Fishbed
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A PAF F-7PG was photographed with a load of fuel tanks and an AIM-9L AAM. Based on the F-7MG
electronic technology demonstrator, it features various upgrades to meet PAF's requirements, including a one-piece
windshield, Italian Grifo-7PG PD radar (search 55km, track 37km, single target track),
new color CRT displays (EFIS), HUD, HOTAS control, new air data computer, TACAN, PL-9C IR-guided AAM, WP-13F(B) turbojet
(13,200lb w/ afterburning) plus two 30mm cannons (compared to one on J-7E/G). Its maximum climb rate is 38,300ft/min
(195m/s), combat radius is 850km (hi-hi-hi air-superiority role) and maximum load is 1,800kg. The new double-delta
wing suggests the same design on J-7E has proven successful. However, since its basic design of Mig-21F has
been more than 40 years old, this approach did not fundamentally change the overall performance. Pakistan ordered 57
F-7PGs in early 2000. These F-7PGs have replaced J-6/Mig-19 and
will counter India's Mig-21bis/Bison fleet. 48 were delivered to Pakistan by the end of 2002. However, F-7PG
might be fitted with the indigenous SY-80 radar (search 30km, track 26km) replacing the Grifo-7PG radar. Besides Pakistani
AF, Namibian AF ordered 12 F-7NMs in August 2005. All were delivered in 2006. These
are equipped with Italian Grifo-7MG radar. Bangladesh AF also ordered 12 F-7BGs in
2005. All were delivered 2006. In addition, Nigerian AF ordered 12 F-7NIs in a $251m
deal and the first batch was expected to have been delivered in spring 2009. Sri Lanka AF also received around 6 F-7GS in late 2007/early 2008.
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J-7G Fishbed
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With the success of F-7PG, its domestic equivalent dubbed J-7G (K/JJ7G?) was quickly developed at CAC based on the similar
design upgrades. This new variant features improved electronics including a new KLJ-6E Falcon PD radar (Chinese copy of Israeli EL/M2001) optimized for PL-8B/PL-5C IR
guided AAM plus a new HUD, EFIS, HMS, datalink and Type III IFF. The engine was initially thought to be
WP-13F turbojet, but was expected to be replaced by the more powerful WP-14/Kunlun
The prototype of J-7G first flew in June 2002 and the delivery
to PLAAF started in early 2003, following the end of J-7E's production in 2002. The introduction of
J-7G suggests that J-10 (even J-11) might only enter limited production and won't be
able to replace all J-7/8s due to its high cost. J-7G will serve alongside J-10 and J-11,
in a "high-low" combination. The first batch of 16 were delivered to PLAAF in October 2004. Another 32 were
delivered in 2006 (S/N 10x8x, 20x3x, 40x8x). Its unarmed version is called J-7GB
which replaced the elder J-7EB in the August 1 Aerobatic Demonstration Team. The last batch of J-7G
was delivered in early 2009.
- Last Updated 7/23/10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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J-8D Finback
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J-8D (J-8IIA or K/JJ8D) is the first Chinese fighter equipped with in-flight refuelling
system. Except for a fixed, non-retractable IFR probe installed on the starboard side of the cockpit,
This improved variant of J-8 also has upgraded avionics such as HK-13E
HUD, 563B INS, JD-3II TACAN and RKL-800A integreted ECM suite (including KJ-8602 RWR), plus an upgraded fire-control
radar (Type 208B, search range 35km) capable of firing PL-8 IR guided AAMs. Its ground attack capability has also
been enhanced, with unguided bombs and rockets. J-8Ds have been in service with PLAAF (S/N 21x0x, 30x2x, 41x0x)
and PLA Naval Aviation (S/N 81x9x) since 1996. However it appears that only a handful of pilots are
qualified to perform the dangerous rendezvous with H-6U tankers. Furthermore, there has been no evidence
that PLAAF ever practiced in-flight refueling at night. With an extended combat radius of 1,200km, these
J-8Ds could strengthen PLA's ability of power projection, especially when escorting JH-7 fighter
bomber over the disputed South China Sea. Some have been upgraded with an MLS antenna installed on the vertical
tailfin. Currently J-8Ds are being upgraded to J-8H (see below). At least one J-8D was seen
carrying a BM/KZ900 SIGINT pod under its belly. It can also carry BM/KG300G
ECM pod for self-protection purpose.
- Last Updated 7/15/10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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J-8F Finback
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A J-8F was landing carrying two PL-5C and two
PL-12 AAMs. Based on J-8C, a major improvemnt of J-8F (K/JJ8F?)
is the capability of firing PL-12/SD-10 active radar homing AAM. A new multi-functional X-band PD radar (Type 1492, 75km look-up and 45km look-down for a 3m2 target) is able to
track-while-scan 10 targets and engage two targets simultaneously. The aircraft also features an improved cockpit with a HUD and two MFDs, 573A1 INS, an IFR probe, twin wing fences
and more powerful WP-13BII turbojet (~7,000kg with afterburning, to be switched to WP-14 Kunlun). The
aircraft first flew in 2000 and test-fired 4 rounds of PL-12 AAMs successfully
in spring 2004. Besides the newest PL-12, the aircraft can also fire other types of AAMs such as PL-8, PL-11 and
PL-5. J-8F has been in the service with PLAAF since 2003 (S/N 11x2x, 40x8x,
6009x) and is currently in production. J-8F is also entering service PLA
Naval Aviation (S/N 83x5x). Its export version is thought to be called F-8T, however it is unlikely
to find any foreign customer ever due to aircraft's obsolete design. Some J-8Ds may have been upgraded
to the J-8F standard as J-8DF.
- Last Updated 11/26/09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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J-8H Finback
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Initially rumored as the domestic version of F-8IIM carrying a Zhuk-8II radar imported from
Russia, J-8H (K/JJ8H?) is now believed to be an improved version based on J-8D. Its major
improvements include a new PD radar (Type 1471/KLJ-1 with look-down/shoot-down mode)
compatible with PL-11 semi-active radar homing AAM. Other features include an IFR probe, INS/GPS, HOTAS, integrated
ECM suite, twin wing fences on each side of the wing to achieve better handling. The aircraft is powered by two of
the more powerful WP-13B turbojets giving it a greater agility (to be replaced by Kunlun). The J-8H
project started in 1995 and was certified in 1999. A small number of J-8Hs are believed to have been in
service with PLAAF since 2002 (S/N 30x2x, 40x8x) before the production ended. Additional J-8Hs (as
J-8BH/DH, S/N 81x9x, 21x0x, 30x2x, 41x0x) are being converted from old J-8Ds
(or J-8Bs). Currently J-8Hs are being upgraded with a dorsal datalink antenna
installed in front of the vertical tailfin so that the aircraft can be controlled directly by
KJ-2000/KJ-200 AWACS.
- Last Updated 6/8/10 |
