Re: JH-7/JH-7A Thread
For simple dump and run missions why send and aircraft that cost heaps when a cheaper aircraft can do it. JH-7 was developed originally for both PLAAF & PLANAF but both had different mission requirements, and in the end the PLAAF version was dropped. And the PLANAF version continued. A navalized aircraft doesn't mean it will operate off carriers, navalized means it is modified to suite the needs of the Navies airforce. It was later on that the JH-7 was introduced into the PLAAF cause the J-11 was constantly being delayed.
You said redesign the JH-7 to multirole so it can carry guided bomb and anti-ship missile. No redesign needed as it can already do that.
Carrier operation is completely different. Fighters and bomber from ground have more luxury since they operate from their home base. The JH-7 can be protected and escorted by J-10 & J-11 from land based. But a aircraft operating off carriers carry limited aircraft, so the aircraft must perform multiply roles and don't have has much luxury as the ground based ones. The J-15 utilizes the Flanker airframe cause its proven that it can operate off carriers, but the J-10 has no history of it. They chose Su-33 over Mig-29K is the same reason why they chose Su-27 over Mig-29 in the 90's, and also they already operate flankers, so they know the maintenance and operation procedures already.
In personal view the Russians chose the Mig-29K is cause the production line is already re-opened and running cause of the funding from India. Restarting the Su-33 line will be costly, when the Mig-29K line is already opened.
For simple dump and run missions why send and aircraft that cost heaps when a cheaper aircraft can do it. JH-7 was developed originally for both PLAAF & PLANAF but both had different mission requirements, and in the end the PLAAF version was dropped. And the PLANAF version continued. A navalized aircraft doesn't mean it will operate off carriers, navalized means it is modified to suite the needs of the Navies airforce. It was later on that the JH-7 was introduced into the PLAAF cause the J-11 was constantly being delayed.
You said redesign the JH-7 to multirole so it can carry guided bomb and anti-ship missile. No redesign needed as it can already do that.
Carrier operation is completely different. Fighters and bomber from ground have more luxury since they operate from their home base. The JH-7 can be protected and escorted by J-10 & J-11 from land based. But a aircraft operating off carriers carry limited aircraft, so the aircraft must perform multiply roles and don't have has much luxury as the ground based ones. The J-15 utilizes the Flanker airframe cause its proven that it can operate off carriers, but the J-10 has no history of it. They chose Su-33 over Mig-29K is the same reason why they chose Su-27 over Mig-29 in the 90's, and also they already operate flankers, so they know the maintenance and operation procedures already.
In personal view the Russians chose the Mig-29K is cause the production line is already re-opened and running cause of the funding from India. Restarting the Su-33 line will be costly, when the Mig-29K line is already opened.
... the JH-7A's from the 5th Fighter/Ground Attack Division, 14th Air Regiment are quite well known, but I thought the J-8F's from the 5th Air Regiment are based at Jiaozhou !? 
