sub-versions (capable of employing the PL-8
air-to-air missile) and J-7K (featuring four wing
pylons) are operational with 17 front-line
Regiments and/or Brigades. Most of these are
second-line formations within an Air Division
or Base, and were created from the former
Training Regiments within the Military Region
Training Bases that were disbanded during the
latest reforms.
Next in line is the J-7D interceptor, a fi ghter
that enjoyed only mixed success and was
initiated in order to develop an improved
all-weather, day and night fi ghter version
based on the MiG-21MF. After a protracted
development during the 1980s and a limited
production run of only a few J-7Cs, Guizhou
fi nally came up with the J-7D that entered
service during the late 1990s but saw little
more success, with only 32 built. Only a single
regiment remains operational.
After two second-generation models proved
unsuccessful, as early as the mid-1980s
Chengdu once again used the trusted J-7B
airframe to develop an affordable and highly
agile fi ghter: the J-7E. Its most important
modifi cation was a new double-delta wing
designed by the Northwest Polytechnic
University. Together with a more powerful
WP-13F turbojet, this led to much-improved
aerodynamic performance and better
maneuverability, especially at lower altitudes.
From 1993 onwards a total of 263 machines
were delivered to the PLAAF and People’s
Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).
Five front-line Regiments and/or Brigades are
equipped with this version.
The fi nal Chinese ‘Fishbed’ fi ghter is the
J-7G, a version that incorporates several
airframe changes and avionics updates from
the F-7MG/PG export models. It has further
improved avionics, including the KLJ-6E
‘Falcon’ pulse-Doppler fi re-control radar for
better all-weather air-to-air-combat capabilities
and the one-piece windshield of the later
F-7PGs to give the pilot a better view in close
combat. First fl own in June 2002, the PLAAF
received about 80 aircraft beginning in 2003.
As a mid-life upgrade, several J-7Es were
updated to a similar standard — at least in
terms of avionics — and are now designated
J-7EG or more likely J-7L. Their most notable
external differences are the new dorsal and
ventral UHF/VHF antennae, similar to those
installed on the J-10A/AS. Some also feature
a VOR/localizer (VLOC) antenna on the
vertical tail fi n. This omni-directional radio
rangefi nder is part of the aircraft’s instrument
landing system. Production of the J-7 seriesfi nally ended in May 2013 when a batch of
F-7BGIs was delivered to Bangladesh. In 2014
the last operational J-7s were retired from
PLANAF service.J-8: another dinosaur
Like its ancestor the J-7, the original Shenyang
J-8 experienced a very long development
history. Its origins stem from a requirement
expressed during the early 1960s for a new
long-range and high-altitude fi ghter. It was
decided to develop the new fi ghter based on
proven J-7 technology and manufacturing
techniques. Concept studies began in 1964
but the type entered limited service only in
the mid-1980s. In contrast to the sometimes
even older J-7Bs, all these original J-8 and J-8I
fi ghters have now been retired.
The second and current major operational
versions are based on the so-called J-8II or J-8B
that fi nally made its maiden fl ight in 1984.
However, serial production of this model did
not begin until 1992. The biggest weakness of
what was otherwise regarded as a ‘giant leap’
for China’s aviation engineers was its reliance
on a very dated design. This original, second-
generation J-8II is now operational in only one
regiment.
A next step towards the current operational
version was initiated during the brief Sino-
US ‘honeymoon’ in the mid-1980s. This,
however, ended with the riots in Tiananmen
Square and the arms embargo that followed.
China managed to receive some help from
Russia and Israel to create the J-8H and J-8F,
and fi nally the J-8G and JZ-8F, during the
mid-to-late 1990s. Both fi ghter versions differ
primarily with regard to their avionics suite
— above all their radar and the associatedmissiles (Type 1471 and PL-11 for the J-8H;
Type 1492 and PL-12 for the J-8F).
The J-8H entered service with the PLAAF
in 2002 before production switched to the
J-8F. Additional examples of both have been
being converted from existing J-8Bs and J-8Ds,
creating the J-8BH or DH, and even the J-8DF.
Some reports also assume that J-8Hs have been
upgraded to J-8F standard. Several aircraft
have been seen with a new dorsal datalink
antenna and a VLOC antenna on the vertical
tail. The J-8F has been in PLAAF service
since 2003 and also entered service with the
PLANAF. The latest addition is a BM/KZ900
electronic intelligence (ELINT) pod available
for the centerline station.
The two ultimate ‘Finback’ iterations are no
longer fi ghters: the fi rst is the J-8G defense-
suppression version, armed with YJ-91/
Kh-31P anti-radar missiles. The second is a
tactical reconnaissance variant designated
JZ-8F, or sometimes JC-8F, on which an
internal camera compartment replaces the
original twin 23mm guns underneath the
cockpit. It can also carry various ELINT,
signals intelligence and synthetic aperture
radar pods externally (e.g. the KZ900). Eight
operational Regiments and/or Brigades,
and two test units fl y late-model J-8s. After
replacement of the 9th Naval Aviation
Division’s last J-8BHs and J-8DHs in late 2013
the ‘Finback’ is only operational in one Naval
Regiment.J-10 ‘Vigorous Dragon’
Much has been written about the J-10’s history,
its long and protracted development based
on several earlier concepts, and even more
about its controversial relationship with theLeft: The J-7E features the more
powerful WP-13F turbojet
and o ers greatly improved
agility when compared to its
predecessors.Top right: The J-8DH, an upgraded
ghter variant of the impressive
‘Finback’.Right: The JZ-8F is a tactical
reconnaissance version of the
‘Finback’ with a protruding
internal camera compartment
replacing the original twin 23mm
guns underneath the cockpit.http://www.combataircraft.net May 2015 5552-61 Chinese Fighters C.indd 55 20/03/2015 11:17