Why is this unit not already being abolished. Since tactical recon is now mainly done by drones. They are much cheaper and you don't put a pilots life at risk.Relatively rare images of JC-8F tactic recon aircraft.
The Q-5, J-7, J-8 and older PLAAF aircraft
- Thread starter adeptitus
- Start date
They are complementary.
Until they have an unmanned drone with a similar or superior speed, altitude, endurance profile to JC-8 variants, chances are these will remain in service for a bit longer.
Though I suspect the replacement for JC-8s will be a combination of new UAVs in future and a combination of podded recce systems for other modern high performance manned fighters.
Shape of j8 is well designed for high speed and high altitude recon. Just need more powerful engines. maybe it will be a j8 flying high with computer/ai controlled drones flying low.
the LGB was called LT-2 or LS-500J, using for all PLA air to ground attack( Q5L/N ，JH7A, J-10s )
What happens to these aircraft after they are retired? Storage, sold, dismantled, or abandoned?
Most will be scuttled, some will be put into storage, lucky ones will go into museums, and unlucky ones will be turned into target drones. Many may be turned into wartime decoys ala unmanned J-6. None of them will be abandoned without removing engines/weapons/avionics.
I always hope some rich person will buy a J-7E and use it at airshows.
They should do as a the Azerbaijans did. Using old planes as drones to bait air defenses.
A squadron of F-7s loaded with bombs and ESM sensors flying high and fast towards Taipei would cause air defense operators to shot, not only revealing their position, but spending precious AA missiles to stop the threat.
A supersonic kamikaze drone is terrifying, but entire squadrons of them are nightmare fuel.