JH-7/JH-7A/JH-7B Thread

Miragedriver

Miragedriver

Brigadier
Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

Bltizo said:
Oh whoops :eek:-- well it's good to know it can undergo an engine upgrade :D

BUT -- the fact that we haven't heard anything about re-engining the JH-7A probably says a lot; I think the PLAAF might not want to waste Al-31F's on an aging airframe and spend so much time having to redeisgn and rebalance for a boost in performance.
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I agree the upgrading would be very nice and would defiantly boost the performance of this aircraft. With that said, the engine upgrade maybe to radical of change. However we do keep seeing regurgitations of the Mig-21 evolving into the J-7E with the large engine and double deltas wing. In any event the Chinese will always do whatever gives them the best bang for the money spent.
 
plawolf

plawolf

Lieutenant General
Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

The JH7 is a bomb truck, and it does that job nicely. It might not be as flashy as a Su34 for example, but then it doesn't need to be.

If your dedicated strikers need to rely of their agility to deal with hostile air threats, then something has gone very wrong several steps beforehand. And no matter how agile your striker is, its still not got much of a chance to beat a dedicated fighter close up unless the striker is packing HMS cued AAMs. That will be a far cheaper and much more useful upgrade if the JH7A doesn't already have it.

The JH7 might be underpowered, but it does not seem to have any issues with range or payload, which are a strike aircraft's primary attributes.

The range on these things is so good, they don't even plan to put refueling probes on them, and JH7s are often seen with a full load of 4 C801/2/3 missiles each, so its not like they can hang much more stuff on them.

The main reason the JH7 is unlikely to be exported is the same reason the PLA value them - they are a highly specialized plane ideally adapted to the PLA's needs.

They are probably one of the best long range strike aircraft in the world in terms of range and payload, and especially so if you also take into account the costs compared to the likes of the Su34 or F18E/F for example. However, they are not much good for anything else, and cannot compete with other multi-role fighters currently on the market in any other field.

Not a problem for the PLA who can field hundreds of dedicated 4th gen fighters as escorts and who is relying on the JH7s to help deal a decisive saturation attack against multiple USN carrier battle groups. But a wasteful overkill for most other nations and not so attractive when their entire operating budget would probably only be able to service one fighter type.
 
tphuang

tphuang

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Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

hmm, I actually would rather it not get engine change. WS-9 right now is by far the most reliable domestic engine currently under production for PLAAF. Although it is underpowered, it actually provides the kind of reliability and fuel efficiency that AL-31F simply can't match.
 
tphuang

tphuang

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Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

Pictures of JH-7A unit 11266 from the 5th division landing in Zhuhai airshow. Looks like PLAAF is basically putting forward all of its latest fighters that have achieved FOC status in this airshow. We are seeing more than usual here.
 

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challenge

Banned Idiot
Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

this variant carry GPS/beidou receiver,a new data link (blade antenna) and the third,still unknown.
 
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challenge

Banned Idiot
Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

more likely improve JL-10A (B?) ,original variant suffer from low-MTBF. likely upgrade,like APG-66 upgraded to APG-69.
 
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montyp165

Senior Member
Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread

The biggest airframe modification I can think of for the JH-7 would using Foxbat style inlets instead of the Q-5/Mig-23 style inlets for better supersonic performance.
 
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