(PLAAF) in 2007 for further trials and
operational deliveries began in 2011 —
PLA Naval Aviation received its initial
JL-9H soon afterwards.
A slightly improved variant, possibly
known as the JL-9A, features new
formation lighting strips on the
forward fuselage and tail n for
night training missions and a newVHF omni-directional radio range
(VLOC) navigation system. This model
entered production in 2014 and is still
being built.
Another development of the JL-9
is the JL-9G, planned as a dedicated
trainer to allow naval aviation pilots
to practise take-o s and landings on a
dummy aircraft carrier deck. The JL-9G
has extensive modi cations including
strengthened landing gear and enlarged
wings, and a further repro led forward
fuselage with a diverterless supersonic
intake (DSI). Furthermore, the twin
ventral stabilizers are replaced by a
taller tail n. A maiden ight occurred
in 2009 but due to structural problems
the tail hook had to be removed. Now
unsuitable for arrested landings, the
JL-9G is only used for simulated take-o s
from the ‘ski jump’ ramp, followed by
a conventional recovery. This version
entered service in 2013 and around a
dozen are operational.
It was the JL-9 that formed the basis
of the FTC-2000 trainer, rst unveiled
as a demonstrator at the 2016 Zhuhai
airshow when a contract was signed
with the Sudanese Air Force for sixold WP-13F(C) engine that produces a
maximum thrust of 9,700lb (4,400kg) or
14,220lb (6,450kg) with afterburning.
Its ight control system is mechanical
rather than y-by-wire (FBW), limiting
its performance compared with the rival
JL-10. The latter is technologically more
advanced but is more expensive and
su ered developmental delays.
The rst prototype JL-9 made its
maiden ight on December 13, 2003 and
test aircraft were evaluated between
2004 and 2005. Following a redesign,
the initial revised JL-9 ew for the rst
time on August 23, 2006, featuring
a new control augmentation system
(CAS) for enhanced stability and an
improved cockpit environment control
system. Serial JL-9s were delivered to
the People’s Liberation Army Air Force
Above: One of
the FTC-2000S
variants ordered
by the Sudanese
Air Force. All six
were in service
by the time
the Sudanese
Ministry of
Defense
announced their
arrival in the
country on May 16
this year.
Right: The
FTC-2000
demonstrator
performs at
Zhuhai in 2016,
when this export-
optimized variant
made its public
debut.http://www.combataircraft.net // December 2018 25