Jump to content

Xi'an JH-7

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromXian JH-7)

  • Xi'an JH-7
  • FBC-1 Flying Leopard
A JH-7A on the runway at Chelyabinsk Shagol Air Base
Role Fighter-bomber
National origin China
Manufacturer Xi'an Aircraft Industry Corporation
First flight 14 December 1988
Introduction 1992
Status Operational[1]
Primary users People's Liberation Army Navy
People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced 1988–2017
Number built 270 (as of 2018)[2]

TheXi'an JH-7(simplified Chinese:Tiêm oanh -7;traditional Chinese:Tiêm oanh -7;pinyin:jiān hōng qī– fighter-bomber;NATO reporting nameFlounder),[3]also known as theFBC-1 (Fighter/Bomber China-1) Flying Leopard,is a Chinesetandemtwo-seat, twin-enginefighter-bomberin service with thePeople's Liberation Army Naval Air Force(PLANAF), and thePeople's Liberation Army Air Force(PLAAF).[4]The main contractors areXi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation(XAC) and the 603rd Aircraft Design Institute (later named the First Aircraft Institute ofAVIC-I).

The first JH-7s were delivered to the PLANAF in the mid-1990s forevaluation,with the improved JH-7A entering service in 2004.[5]

Development history

[edit]

A new fighter bomber

[edit]

In the early 1970s, the PLAAF required a new fighter-bomber to replace theHarbin H-5andNanchang Q-5.A request was duly submitted to theMinistry of Aviation Industry(later renamed to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China), which organized a domestic development program when efforts to secure a joint venture with foreign partners failed. The program was authorized on 19 April 1983 by then-paramount leaderDeng Xiaoping.The program was also aiming to make use of newly imported (in violation of theCOCOMrestrictions[6]) BritishRolls-Royce Speyturbofan engines at the time.[7]

JH-7

[edit]
Xian JH-7A

The PLANAF required a similar aircraft and the program set out to develop a variant for each set of requirements. The PLAAF variant was conceived as an all-weather, long-range bomber/strike aircraft, with a two-seat, tandem cockpit,electronic countermeasures(ECM), andterrain followingcapabilities (similar to theGeneral Dynamics F-111). The naval version differed in that it was conceived as a dedicated reconnaissance/strike aircraft. The PLAAF variant was dropped in the early 1980s, with the PLANAF variant becoming the JH-7.

Sixprototypeswere built by December 1988, and the PLANAF received 12 to 18 aircraft in the early 1990s for evaluation. The first aircraft used imported Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.202 engines, later replaced by a license-built copy, the WS-9. They were equipped with the Type 243H multifunction radar, which could detect ships at a maximum of 175 kilometres (109 mi), andMiG-21-sized aerial targets at 75 kilometres (47 mi).

The JH-7 was designed as an anti-ship fighter-bomber. As with the later JH-7A, its aerial combat capability was insignificant given the large number of specialist aircraft for that role.

JH-7A

[edit]
JH-7A at theBeijing Military Museumduring the "Our troops towards the Sun" exhibition
Two JH-7As at Chelyabinsk Shagol Air Base

When the PLA examined the future role of air forces, it identified a need forprecision air-to-surfacecapability. An improved JH-7, the JH-7A, was designed to meet this requirement. The JH-7A's general and deputy general designers were Tang Changhong ( đường trường hồng ) and Wu Jieqin ( ngô giới cầm ) respectively.

The JH-7A had a lighter and stronger airframe than the JH-7, allowing the newer aircraft to carry a maximum ordnance load of 9,000 kg.[8][9]In PLANAF, this allowed fourYJ-82anti-ship missiles to be carried, compared to the two on the JH-7.[10]

The JH-7A is equipped with domestic Chinesehelmet mounted sight(HMS) for evaluation, and this HMS currently being tested is developed byXi'an Optronics Group (Xi Guang Ji Tuan tây quang tập đoàn ),a member ofNorthern Electro-Optic Co. Ltd ( bắc phương quang điện cổ phân hữu hạn công tư ),the wholly owned subsidiary ofNorinco,and the HMS on JH-7A was developed from the helicopter HMS manufactured by the same company, thus both share many common components.[11]HMS tested on JH-7A is compatible with air-to-air/surface missiles, and it is also compatible with airborne sensors such as radars and electro-optics so that the sensors are slaved to HMS, enabling the fast tracking and aiming of the weaponry.[12]The cockpit of JH-7A still retains some traditional single function dial indicators, but there are two large colorliquid crystal displaymulti-function displayswhich can bemonochromeif pilots choose.[13]Other avionic upgrades of JH-7 include:[14]replacing Type 960-2 noise jammer with BM/KJ-8605, replacing Type 265A radar altimeter with Type 271 radar altimeter, fully digitizedfly-by-wireflight control system,and in addition, Type 232H airborne radar is replaced byJL-10Apulse-Doppler radar, enabling JH-7A to firelaser-guided bombsandKh-31Panti-radiation missiles.The existing JH-7s were upgraded with JH-7A electronics. Two additionalhardpointsincreased the total to 6 from the original 4, and one-piecewindscreenreplaced the original three-piece windscreen.

The JH-7A was the first Chinese aircraft to use paperless design, and the software used wasCATIAV5.[15]

Operational history

[edit]

On its maiden flight on 14 December 1988, while en route back to the airport to land, the engines of the JH-7 prototype suddenly began to vibrate violently. The test pilot Huang Bingxin ( hoàng bỉnh tân ) decided to make an emergency landing, but as he approached the airport, the vibration was so great that two thirds of the instruments had been shaken off the instrument panel, and all of the connectors of the remaining third still attached to the panel had also been shaken loose, so none of the instruments worked; the pilot nonetheless managed to eventually land the prototype safely.[16]

On 8 June 1991, a JH-7 prototype suddenly began to leak fuel at a high rate. Lu Jun ( lư quân ), a Russian-trained Chinese test pilot, managed to make a safe emergency landing when the fuel reserve had dropped to slightly more than 30 liters. Three years later, on 4 April 1994, a JH-7 prototype crashed during a test flight, killing Lu.[16]

On 19 August 1992, the entire rudder of a JH-7 suddenly fell off at an altitude of 5,000 meters, while carrying four live missiles. Against orders to jettison the missiles and abandon the aircraft, the test pilot decided to attempt an emergency landing. Using mainly differential thrust of the two engines, the test pilot Huang Bingxin ( hoàng bỉnh tân ) made it back to the airport and attempted to make an emergency landing, but a tire at the starboard side burst on touch down, causing the aircraft to veer off course. Using brakes as control, the test pilot made two attempts before releasing thedrogue parachuteto finally stop safely.[16]

The JH-7A entered service with the PLANAF in early 2004, and with the PLAAF by the end of the year.[17]

In 2007 JH-7s went abroad to participate in "Peace Mission" exercises of theShanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO). In April 2012, multiple JH-7 aircraft joined a Russia-China joint naval exercise in eastern China. In 2013, JH-7s participated in a Russia–China joint exercise held on Russian territory.[18]

On 14 October 2011, a JH-7 crashed during an exhibition at an air show inShaanxi province,northwest China.[19][20]

On 5 June 2014, a JH-7 crashed during a training mission inYiwu,Zhejiang province.[21]

On 22 December 2014, a JH-7 crashed near the city ofWeinanin Shaanxi province, under unknown circumstances. At least two persons are said to have died in the crash.[22]

On 22 October 2016, a JH-7 crashed inLiuzhou,Guangxi province.According to pictures released on social media, the pilots ejected.[23]

On 12 March 2019, a JH-7 crashed during a training exercise inLedong County,Hainan,killing two pilots on board.[24]The crash of the normally high-altitude-usage, aged aircraft happened during a low-altitude training flight, the pilots gave up an opportunity to eject to avoid densely populated residential area and were killed when trying to avoid a school, they were hailed for their bravery as martyrs by local officials.[25]

On 18 May 2019, a JH-7 crashed inGaocun Town[zh],Weihai Cityarea,Shandong province.[26]

A new variant of the Xian JH-7 fighter-bomber is in service with the PLAAF as of August 2019. The variant is designated JH-7A2 (also spelled JH-7AII).[27]

Operators

[edit]
People's Republic of China

Variants

[edit]
  • JH-7– Initial production version of the PLANAF anti-shipping fighter-bomber.
  • JH-7A– Later production utilising composite structure to reduce weight, improved flying control system and improved avionics including the JL10A Shan Ying J-bandpulse-Doppler radar.Weapon loads increased by the addition of two more wing hardpoints and two hardpoints under the intake trunking for mission pods such as targeting pods.
  • JH-7A2– Improved variant with enhanced air-to-ground munitions and carrying capabilities. The variant was first observed in 2019. The fighter-bomber was official unveiled onZhuhai Airshowin 2021.[29]
  • JH-7E- Possibly export variant, shown at 2018Zhuhai Airshow.[30]
  • FBC-1 Flying Leopard– Export version of the JH-7.
  • FBC-1A Flying Leopard II– Export version of the JH-7A.

Specifications (JH-7)

[edit]

Data from[citation needed]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2
  • Length:22.32 m (73 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan:12.8 m (42 ft 0 in)
  • Height:6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area:42.2 m2(454 sq ft)
  • Empty weight:14,500 kg (31,967 lb)[31]
  • Max takeoff weight:28,475 kg (62,777 lb)[32]
  • Powerplant:2 ×Xian WS-9 Qinlingturbofanengines, 54.29 kN (12,200 lbf) thrust each dry, 91.26 kN (20,520 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed:1,808 km/h (1,123 mph, 976 kn)
  • Maximum speed:Mach 1.52
  • Combat range:1,760 km (1,090 mi, 950 nmi) with one in-flight refueling (estimated)
900 km (560 mi; 490 nmi) without refueling (estimated)
  • Service ceiling:16,000 m (52,000 ft)

Armament

Avionics
JL-10A radar

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^Fisher, Richard (27 May 2015)."ANALYSIS: Can China break the military aircraft engine bottleneck?".FlightGlobal.Archived fromthe originalon 30 May 2015.
  2. ^abcBaddeley, Adam (February 2011)."The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011"(PDF).Asian Military Review.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 28 September 2011.Retrieved11 July2011.
  3. ^"British and Russian Technology for the Xian JH-7A FLOUNDER".U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission. Archived fromthe originalon 29 April 2007.Retrieved6 April2007.
  4. ^"Focus Aircraft: Xian JH-7 'Flounder'".International Air Power Review.Vol. 25. AIRtime Publishing. 2008. pp. 52–75.ISSN1473-9917.
  5. ^"JH-7/A (FBC-1) Fighter-Bomber".SinoDefence.com.13 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 15 January 2007.Retrieved16 January2007.
  6. ^Gregory, Joseph Edward."Controlling the Transfer of Militarily Significant Technology: COCOM After Toshiba".Fordham International Law Journal.11(4).Retrieved9 September2023.
  7. ^"JH7 FBC1 fighter bomber and Spey turbofan, Chinese PLAAF".AirForceWorld.com.Archived fromthe originalon 23 August 2011.Retrieved12 July2011.
  8. ^Chang, Andrei (28 December 2007)."Fuel needs limit China's combat ability".UPI Asia.com.Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2009.Retrieved21 March2010.
  9. ^"Xian JH-7".Aeroflight.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 11 May 2008.Retrieved21 March2010.
  10. ^"JH-7A for PLAAF".AirForceWorld.com.25 March 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2010.Retrieved25 March2011.
  11. ^"Trung quốc triển kỳ tối tân hình chiến cơ trực thăng cơ đầu khôi miểu chuẩn cụ! [ tổ đồ ](4)".military.china.com(in Chinese). 13 November 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2014.Retrieved4 February2015.
  12. ^"Trung quốc triển kỳ tối tân hình chiến cơ trực thăng cơ đầu khôi miểu chuẩn cụ! [ tổ đồ ](2)".military.china.com(in Chinese). 13 November 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2014.Retrieved4 February2015.
  13. ^"Nghiêm trọng quan tiết: Tiêm oanh -7A tọa thương".military.china.com(in Chinese). 15 July 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 28 March 2007.Retrieved4 February2015.
  14. ^JH-7 Avionics.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2014.Retrieved17 November2011.
  15. ^"Tiêm oanh -7 đản sinh ký".club.china.com(in Chinese). 23 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 29 January 2009.Retrieved4 February2015.
  16. ^abc"JH-7 Accidents".Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2014.Retrieved3 January2008.
  17. ^"JH-7 History".SinoDefence.com.24 October 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2011.Retrieved27 June2011.
  18. ^"JH7 / FBC1 Fighter Bomber".AirForceWorld.com.22 October 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 22 September 2014.Retrieved23 October2014.
  19. ^"Lostarmour ID: 20586".
  20. ^"Jet crashes at China air show".BBC News.
  21. ^"Incident Xian JH-7, 05 Jun 2014".
  22. ^"Accident Xian JH-7A, 22 Dec 2014".
  23. ^"Lostarmour ID: 13731".
  24. ^Liu, Zhen (12 March 2019)."Two dead after Chinese navy plane crashes".South China Morning Post.Archivedfrom the original on 17 March 2019.Retrieved12 March2019.
  25. ^"Hải quân anh hùng nhậm vĩnh đào hồn quy cố lí: Vi tị miễn quần chúng thương vong thao túng phi cơ bách hàng hi sinh".
  26. ^"Lostarmour ID: 20585".
  27. ^"Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  28. ^"Chinese fighter crashes at air show".BBC News. 14 October 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 14 August 2012.Retrieved20 June2018.
  29. ^"China's Introduces JH-7A2 Fighter Bomber, Updated with Air-to-Ground Weapons".defense world.5 October 2021.
  30. ^@dafengcao (2 November 2018)."JH-7E"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  31. ^CATIC brochure, Zhuhai 1998
  32. ^"FBC-1 Fighter Bomber".CATIC.cn.China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation. Archived fromthe originalon 31 August 2011.Retrieved28 April2012.
  33. ^"PLA Air Force carrying GB100 precision guided bomb in patrol mission".global defense corp. 29 May 2021.Retrieved26 July2021.
  34. ^"PL-5 Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile".SinoDefence.com.9 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 11 November 2012.Retrieved16 January2007.
  35. ^Hallion, Richard P.; Cliff, Roger; Saunders, Phillip C. (3 October 2012).The Chinese Air Force: Evolving Concepts, Roles, and Capabilities.ISBN9780160913860.
  36. ^"YJ-8K (C-801K) Air-Launched Anti-Ship Missile".SinoDefence.com.9 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2006.Retrieved16 January2007.
  37. ^"YJ-82K (C-802K) Air-Launched Anti-Ship Missile".SinoDefence.com.9 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2006.Retrieved16 January2007.
  38. ^"JH-7A KD-88 Air-to-ground Missile".AirForceWorld.com.25 March 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2010.Retrieved25 March2011.
  39. ^"Kh-31P / YJ-91 Anti-Radiation Missile".SinoDefence.com.1 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2006.Retrieved16 January2007.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toXian JH-7.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xi%27an_JH-7&oldid=1214263097"