(photo, credit unknown)
Development
The J-8 (Chinese name Jianjiji-8 (Fighter Aircraft 8 or Jian-8) was the subject of an advanced fighter programme that started in China in the late 1960s. The J-8 was the first PLAAF aircraft of domestic design. The overall configuration is a straightforward enlargement of the MiG-21/J-7 layout to accommodate two engines. Although it resembled Mikoyan’s experimental Ye-152A, contrary to some reports, it was not based on that aircraft. Production began in December 1979, with about 100 aircraft of the first configuration entering service.
The J-8 is a delta-wing aircraft with vertical tail surfaces similar to late-production MiG-21s. It also incorporates technology gleaned from the Soviet MiG-23 variable geometry aircraft.
Design work on the improved J-8-II began in 1980, with production beginning in the late 1980s. The J-8-II has a completely new front end with much larger radar and ventral inlets, along with other less obvious improvements. The improved aircraft was comparable in aerodynamic performance to the Soviet Su-15 “Flagon”.
The Jian-8-IIM upgrade was developed by both China and Russia, (“M” stands for export only aircraft), this model has now become a new-generation fighter. The first flight was on 31 March 1996. This aircraft has upgraded electronic systems, it is claimed to survive damage better that the single-engined F-16A/C and the Mirage 2000. The high-altitude high-speed performance of the J-8-IIM is superior to the F-16A/C, F/A-18 and Mirage 2000; and its radar and electronic equipment are better than the F-16A and similar to the F-16C, F/A-18 and Mirage 2000-5. New WP-13B engines power the aircraft and it has greatly improved low-altitude manoeuvrability.
Variants
Requirement Specification: Not known
Manufacturers Designation: Not known
| Development History: | |
| J-8 Finback-A | Initial development version with small ranging radar in intake centrebody. Armed with single 30 mm cannon and four PL-2 missiles. |
| J-8-I Finback-A | All weather fighter derivative with SR-4 radar in enlarged intake centrebody, small wing fences and relocated airbrakes. Cannon replaced by 23 mm twin-barrelled 23-III cannon. |
| J-8-II Finback-B | Further development with large solid nose radome and MiG-23 type side intakes. Ventral strakes replaced by folding fin. 70% of the airframe changed with respect to the original J-8. |
| F-8B | Projected (?) export version of J-8-II with WP-13B engines, pulse-Doppler look-down radar and digital avionics, with HUD and ‘glass’ cockpit. |
| J-8-IIM | Revised export version with Russian rather than US avionics equipment. |
History
| Key Dates: | ||
| 1964 | PLAAF requirement for fighter superior to MiG-21 | |
| 1965 | J-8 project started | |
| July 1968 | First two prototypes completed | |
| 5 July 1969 | First flight of first prototype | |
| 1979 | Official certification of J-8 | |
| May 1980 | First prototype J-8-I completed but destroyed in a fire | |
| September 1980 | PLAAF requirement for J-8-II development | |
| 24 April 1981 | Second prototype J-8-I makes maiden flight | |
| May 1981 | Development of J-8-II version approved | |
| 12 June 1984 | First flight of J-8-II prototype | |
| July 1985 | Official certification of J-8-I | |
| 5 August 1987 | ‘Peace Pearl’ contract with Grumman in the USA for the supply of avionics systems upgrade kits for installation in the J-8-II | |
| 1989 | ‘Peace Pearl’ cancelled by China following US sanctions over Tiananmen Square massacre. | |
| 31 March 1996 | First flight of the J-8-IIM export variant | |
Operators
Military Operators
| China PLAAF | J-8, J-8-I, J-8-II |
Government Agencies
| None |
Civilian Operators
| None |
Specifications
| Shenyang J-8-I |
|---|
| As J-8-II except for the following: |
| Engines: Two Liyang (LMC) Wopen 7B turbojets each rated at 9,700 lb st (43.15 kN) dry and 13,448 lb st (59.82 kN) with afterburning |
| Performance: Maximum rate of climb at sea level 39,370 ft/min (12,000 m/min); Service ceiling 59,050 ft (18,000 m); Combat radius 432 nm (497 miles, 800 km) |
| Shenyang J-8-II |
|---|
| Crew: One pilot |
| Dimensions: Length 70 ft 10 in (21.59 m) including probe; Height 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m); Wing Span 30 ft 7.875 in (9.34 m); Wing Area 454.25 sq ft (42.20 sq m) |
| Engines: Two Liyang (LMC) Wopen 13A-II turbojets each rated at 9,590 lb st (42.66 kN) dry and 14,815 lb st (65.90 kN) with afterburning |
| Weights: Empty Equipped 21,649 lb (9,820 kg); Normal Take-off 31,526 lb (14,300 kg); Maximum Take-off 39,242 lb (17,800 kg) |
| Armament: 6 under wing hard points for fuel, bombs, rockets or missiles: 4 PL-2 or PL-7 and one 800 lt. drop tank, 2 PL-2 or PL-7 and 2 x 480 lt. drop tanks and one 800 lt. drop tank. |
| Performance: Maximum level speed Mach 2.2 (1,453 mph, 2,338 kph) at 36,000 ft (10975 m); Cruising speed: 800 mph (1,300 kph); Maximum rate of climb at sea level 39,370 ft/min (12,000 m/min); Service ceiling 66,275 ft (20,200 m); Standard range 700 nm (1,300 km) at cruise speeds; Combat radius 432 nm (497 miles, 800 km); Ferry range 1,187 nm (1,367 miles, 2,200 km) with drop tanks |
Production
Design Centre
Head of Design Team: Not known
Design Office: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Shenyang.
Manufacture
|
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
(PO Box 328, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, People’s Republic of China) |
|||
| Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
| J-8 proto. | 2 | Shenyang | 1965-July 1968 |
| J-8 prodn. | few# | Shenyang | 1979-1980 |
| J-8-I proto. | 2 | Shenyang | 1980-April 1981 |
| J-8-I prodn. | c.90* | Shenyang | July 1985-198? |
| J-8-II proto. | 4 | Shenyang | May 1981-July 1984 |
| J-8-II prodn. | ? | Shenyang | 1988-19?? |
| Total: | ? | ||
# Some J-8 may have been converted to J-8-I standard.
* Total J-8/J-8-I production circa 100 a/c.
Total Produced: ? a/c
Production List
To be added.
More Information
Books
‘Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by David Donald & Jon Lake
Published by Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1996 ISBN: 1 874023 95 6
* Includes entries for J-8-I and J-8-II.
‘World Air Power Journal, Volume 3’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
Published by Aerospace Publishing Ltd, Nov 1990 ISBN: 1 87402 30 42
* Includes ‘air power briefing’ on the J-8.
‘World Air Power Journal, Volume 29’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
Published by Aerospace Publishing Ltd, May 1997 ISBN: 1 86184 00 39
* Includes ‘air power briefing’ on the J-8-IIM.
Magazines
To be added.
Links
Shop
Flight Simulator Models:
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Scale Models:
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Scale Drawings:
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Videos:
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