Chengdu J-10
Junior Member
Are the PLAAF still getting J-8's? I know they are equipped with modern equipment but shouldn't the PLAAF try to concentrate on more modern and advance aircraft such as the Flankers or J-10?
*New J-10 Thread*
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Yes, they still make J-8F, both brand new or upgrading older J-8IIs to this standard. In addition to 1st Division, it looks like the 37th Division in Xinjiang has one regiment, and the 21st, 9th and 29th Division have J-8IIs upgraded to this standard.
I do agree that the PLAAF should concentrate on the J-10 and J-11. But it does appear for now, they are getting a very cheap BVR fighter in the upgraded J-8II. Of course, lack of maneuverbility may be a major impairment of the aircraft if a missile is fired upon it at close ranges, and in that sense, can make the aircraft less survivable than a J-7E/G.
I do agree that the PLAAF should concentrate on the J-10 and J-11. But it does appear for now, they are getting a very cheap BVR fighter in the upgraded J-8II. Of course, lack of maneuverbility may be a major impairment of the aircraft if a missile is fired upon it at close ranges, and in that sense, can make the aircraft less survivable than a J-7E/G.
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J-8F will be more of a multi-role plane. With decent range and payload plus good speed. It will be idea to be use as LS-6 glide bomb stand-off bomber! While saving the more potential valuable J-11 and J-10 from air defense attack. J-8F also capable of firing Pl-12,thus making it a good interceptor too. All this contribute to the continue existense of J-8F and its production running.
not really, they have J-8H to do that, J-8F is used more for interception. But in generally, it's definitely much better to just convert the existing J-8II to F or H standards for these roles.
I think -H is superceded by -F, as both versions are not produced concurrently, and H model is no longer being made. That means the -F model now assumes all the functionality of the -H model plus some. I think the only difference between the -F and the -H is that the -F has an upgraded radar with PL-12 support.
I do agree that the J-8H, along with the J-7E/F, serve to plug holes the J-11s and J-10s may not be physically available to cover. I don't mean role wise, I mean mission available. There is things that is best done by having more jets than less. They cannot build enough J-11s and J-10s fast enough, so upgraded J-8II and J-7 have to fill in. There are critical roles and missions the Su-30, J-11 and J-10 has to fill, while another mission can be filled with another aircraft. For example, the J-8s and the J-7s can cover the home front, freeing the J-11s and J-10s for more offensive roles. The J-8IIs and J-7s can also be used to exploit a gap that the J-10s and Su-30s/J-11s have already made, and the older jet designs can also fly as support.
In the long run though, I do expect the J-8F and the J-7G to be the last of their respective series and eventually some point in time, cancelled; production of the J-10 and J-11 will stabilize and increase, and the FC-1 entering also presents another factor.
I do agree that the J-8H, along with the J-7E/F, serve to plug holes the J-11s and J-10s may not be physically available to cover. I don't mean role wise, I mean mission available. There is things that is best done by having more jets than less. They cannot build enough J-11s and J-10s fast enough, so upgraded J-8II and J-7 have to fill in. There are critical roles and missions the Su-30, J-11 and J-10 has to fill, while another mission can be filled with another aircraft. For example, the J-8s and the J-7s can cover the home front, freeing the J-11s and J-10s for more offensive roles. The J-8IIs and J-7s can also be used to exploit a gap that the J-10s and Su-30s/J-11s have already made, and the older jet designs can also fly as support.
In the long run though, I do expect the J-8F and the J-7G to be the last of their respective series and eventually some point in time, cancelled; production of the J-10 and J-11 will stabilize and increase, and the FC-1 entering also presents another factor.
We don't know about the actual paylod. The Super 10 is supposed to have phase array radar and TVC equipped AL-31FNM-1. Still have some questions about the phase array radar, if NRIET is still continuing development of this, or moving over to AESA. Or perhaps the Russians are trying to bid for the contract again with their own radars.
I'm pretty sure that super 10 stuff was just Russian bs, because in a latter article on kanwa, that's what Mig said. That the super 10 concept was just an upgrade concept that they proposed. Frankly, CAC doesn't need help to upgrade J-10 at this point.
RedMercury
Junior Member
Care to speculate on why J-8F production is kept going? Perhaps because the production line's equipment would need major changes to convert to J-11* due to the more complicated process and materials, thus meaning keeping the line to produce cheap J-8Fs more practical? Or perhaps structural inertia and the need to keep old employees working?
Chengdu J-10
Junior Member
I think personally it is just to give the pilots something to fly. If you retired what 100 J-8's from PLAAF service you would have what 100 pilots sitting on their ass. Though this may not be the case but just a personal thought. Also the PLAAF might be upgrading their older J-8's until enough J-11, J-10 are produced to replace the J-8's. But in the mean time J-8 and J-7 are being upgraded to enhance its service life.
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