Xian JH-7
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Xian Jian Hong (JH)-7, also known as the FBC-1 Flying Leopard, is a two-seater (tandem), twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF), and possibly the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The main contractors are Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation (XAC) and the 602nd Aircraft Design Institute. The first batch of JH-7 aircraft were delivered to the PLANAF in the mid-1990s for evaluation, and the improved JH-7A variant entered service in 2004. [1]
Contents |
[edit] History and description
In the early 1970s, the PLA submitted a request to the Ministry of Aeronautics (MoA) to develop a new fighter-bomber that could replace the H-5 (Il-28) and Q-5. Initially, due to different requirements from the PLAAF and PLANAF, there were two variants under development. The PLAAF variant was to be an all-weather deep-penetration strike bomber, with side-by-side cockpit seating, Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM), and terrain following capabilities similar to the General Dynamics F-111. Western observers speculated that this design might have been influenced by the USAF F-111. However, this variant was dropped in the early 1980s.
The PLANAF's variant was for an all-weather, two-seat (tandem), strike/reconnaissance aircraft. 6 prototypes were built by December 1988, and a small batch of 12 to 18 JH-7s were delivered to the PLANAF in the early 1990s for evaluation. The first JH-7s used imported Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.202 engines. Later, they were replaced by license-built Spey Mk.202s named WoShang-9 (WS-9).
In 2004, the improved JH-7A entered service with PLANAF. The JH-7A is updated with JL-10A PD radar, new fly-by-wire (FBW) system, one-piece windscreen, additional hardpoints, and capability to use Russian LGBs and Kh-31 anti-radiation missiles. The aircraft is currently used by the PLANAF 6th Div, PLANAF 9th Div, and PLAAF 28th Div. Although a significant improvement over the original JH-7, the future of this aircraft looks bleak as China's People's Liberation Army turns to more capable fighter/bombers such as the Shenyang J-11 and the Chengdu J-10 for their maritime strike roles.
The JH-7 is China's newest and most capable domestically-built fighter-bomber. Critics are quick to point out that the aircraft is underpowered with Mk.202/WS-9 engines, and inferior weapons load of only 6.5 tons, compared to the Sukhoi Su-24/Su-30 at 8 tons, and the General Dynamics F-111 at 14 tons. However, the JH-7 does represent a technological advancement for the PLANAF, and its load capacity allows the aircraft to carry 2 (JH-7) or 4 (JH-7A) domestically-made anti-ship missiles in maritime strike missions.
[edit] PLANAF Deployement
As of November 2005, there are 3 PLANAF regiments equipped with the JH-7: [2]
East Sea Fleet, 6th PLANAF Division [3]
- 16th Regiment based in Shanghai Dachang Naval Air Station (JH-7)
- 17th Regiment based in Yiwu (Yiwi) Airbase, Zhejiang (JH-7)
South Sea Fleet, 9th PLANAF Division [4]
- 27th Regiment based in Ledong Naval Airbase, Hainan Island (JH-7A)
A PLANAF JH-7 regiment typically consists of 18 to 20 aircraft, which is fewer than the usual 24 to 28 aircraft for PLAAF air regiments.
[edit] PLAAF Deployement
As of May 2006, there are three PLAAF Regiment known to operate the JH-7A. It's speculated that the PLAAF 19 JH-7A will serve in precision ground-strike role, rather than anti-shipping.
Nanjing Military Region, 28th PLAAF Division [5]
- ?? Regiment based in Hangzhou Jianquiao Airbase, Zhejiang (JH-7A)
On May 16, 2006, the Washington Post reported that U.S. Admiral William J. Fallon, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, was invited to sit in the cockpit of a JH-7 (reported as FB-7) on his visit to the PLAAF 28th Division base. [6]
[edit] Specifications (JH-7)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot, 1 weapons operator
- Length: 21.00 m (68 ft 10.75 in)
- Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in)
- Height: 6.22 m (20 ft 4.875 in)
- Wing area: m² (ft²)
- Empty weight: kg (lb)
- Loaded weight: kg (lb)
- Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Xian WS9 (a license-built Spey Mk202) turbofans, 91.2 kN with afterburning (20,515 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,699-1,808 km/h (1,056-1,122 mph)
- Cruise speed: 850-903 km/h (528-561 mph)
- Range: 900 km combat radius (560 miles)
- Service ceiling: 15,500 m (50,850 ft)
- Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
Armament
- Maximum 5 ton weapons load
- Internal Type 23-III (GSh-23L) twin barrel 23mm gun with 300 rounds
- PL-5 AAM [7]
- YJ-8K (C-801) Anti-Ship Missile (AShM) [8]
- YJ-82K (C-802) Anti-Ship Missile (AShM) [9]
- YJ-91 (Kh-31P) Anti-Radiation Missile [10]
- Free-fall bombs
- Rocket launchers
- Laser-guide bombs (LGBs)
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
Comparable aircraft
General Dynamics F-111 - BAC TSR-2 (if not cancelled) - Panavia Tornado - Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
| PLAAF Aircraft (active) | |
| Bombers: H-6 | |
|
| Fighters: |
|
| Reconnaissance: HZ-5 | JZ-5 | JZ-6 (MiG-19R) | JZ-7 | JZ-8 Finback | Tu-154M | |
|
| Tanker: HY-6 |
|
| Transport: B737-200 | CL 601 Challenger | Il-76 Candid | Tu-154 | Y-8 | Y-11 | Y-12 | Y-5 | Y-7 | |
