The Q-5, J-7, J-8 and older PLAAF aircraft
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Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Oh wait, I got the articles mixed up, the BG it seems DOES have the KLJ-6F, it is the Sri Lankan F-7GS that uses the KLJ-6E.
About the KLJ-6F, what is the range of it. How different is it from the KLJ-6E used by PLAAF's J-7G. BTW I understand that the J-7E/G make a mediocre MRAAM platform because of its small range and fuel capacity, even with the additonal fuel capacity from the redesigned wing, but why did they not upgrade the J-7G with the KLJ-6F? Was it not cost effective? Is the difference in performance not different enough?
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There is no published info about range on the brochures of the KLJ-6F so far. The only difference it appears to have the -E version is the additional modes necessary to support BVRAAM. There might be an increase in performance but that's only speculative.
As for the PLAAF J-7G, its impossible to tell or with absolute certainty what they installed is the -E or the -F. So far we have never seen operational J-7G with the PL-12. If we have pictures to show, then there is proof. Its likely the -F was developed after the -E, and after the J-7G was certified with the -E, so -F may have came too late. The J-7G program began around 2003 and 2004, and there was no info on the KLJ-6F until 2006-2007.
As for the PLAAF J-7G, its impossible to tell or with absolute certainty what they installed is the -E or the -F. So far we have never seen operational J-7G with the PL-12. If we have pictures to show, then there is proof. Its likely the -F was developed after the -E, and after the J-7G was certified with the -E, so -F may have came too late. The J-7G program began around 2003 and 2004, and there was no info on the KLJ-6F until 2006-2007.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Production of the G has already ended hasn't it? IIRC All domestic J-7 prouction has ended, its all F-7MGs now for export although this is all from memory. Speaking of the J-7G, I think awhile back I read about a 'J-7G2', I don't think this is real though since generally thats not how Chinese aircraft designations work, maybe its referring to a late batch of J-Gs with additional features
I think the production of J-7G ended even before the F-7BG.
If the improvement is minor, using a designation like J-7G1 or G2 might be possible. If the improvement is relatively greater, it may deserve a new letter, though H is already taken. The next letter would be I.
I think CAC is just hurting itself trying to push a BVRAAMed J-7 if they can better sell J-10s or JF-17s to the PLAAF.
If the improvement is minor, using a designation like J-7G1 or G2 might be possible. If the improvement is relatively greater, it may deserve a new letter, though H is already taken. The next letter would be I.
I think CAC is just hurting itself trying to push a BVRAAMed J-7 if they can better sell J-10s or JF-17s to the PLAAF.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Well the J-7G is more or less exactly the same as Sri Lankan F-7GS so I guess it lives on!
I'm more surprised Chengdu is somehow still managing to sell the J-7II based F-7M to anybody at all, the J-7E has proven far superior (for extremely short range, cheap, interceptor fighters) yet Namibia bought 15 from Chengdu in 2006!
As for CAC, seeing as we've never heard anything about this 'new' J-7G variant, we can safely assume they took the logical step and are supporting their more advanced J-10 and FC-1 fighters. Any attempt to introduce new J-7s to the PLAAF would simply to encourage other countries to buy them since it would have 'PLAAF approval', BVR is just a gimmick for something like the J-7, gaining the right altitude to fire a MRAAM gives the J-7 little time to do anything. With the mysterious KLJ-6F thougth the F-7BG is probably the most advanced and potent MiG-21 variant ever fielded
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Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Oooooooh, I see the problem now, my fault sorry, this is what I get for posting at 1AM in the moring!
The article says that the F-BG uses the KLJ-6E/Grifo-MG but by 2010 Bangladesh intends to upgrade the radar to the KLJ-6F. Sorry about that, my fault entirely.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Sorry about the SNAFU last time, but now I have another question.
Recently I have stumbled upon this aircraft I've never heard of, the J-7MF/MS here
From what I've read it was an attempt to modernise the J-7 series from the 'restrictions' of the the original MiG-21 airframe but due to lack of foriegn and domestic interest on in the project, it was canned. From what I can see it looks a lot like the American A7/F8. Unforunately, my babelfish gibberish deciphering skills is unable to muddle through the translations completey. Does anybody have any more information on this aircraft? It looks fascinating and its design almost certainly affected Chengdu's development ofthe FC-1.
Recently I have stumbled upon this aircraft I've never heard of, the J-7MF/MS here
From what I've read it was an attempt to modernise the J-7 series from the 'restrictions' of the the original MiG-21 airframe but due to lack of foriegn and domestic interest on in the project, it was canned. From what I can see it looks a lot like the American A7/F8. Unforunately, my babelfish gibberish deciphering skills is unable to muddle through the translations completey. Does anybody have any more information on this aircraft? It looks fascinating and its design almost certainly affected Chengdu's development ofthe FC-1.
Not much information about it. That website already has the best info for it.
The nose design is due because the radar is larger than the standard one used for the J-7. With a more powerful radar, the plane can do BVR engagement, compared to using the standard nose with a small radar, like you would do with the case of the KLJ-6F we discussed about. The radar here might be about the same size as the one used on the JF-17. On the other aircraft, the F-7MF as opposed to the J-7FS which had the Corsair nose, it was never built. It planned to utilize the J-10's radar from my impression.
The nose design is due because the radar is larger than the standard one used for the J-7. With a more powerful radar, the plane can do BVR engagement, compared to using the standard nose with a small radar, like you would do with the case of the KLJ-6F we discussed about. The radar here might be about the same size as the one used on the JF-17. On the other aircraft, the F-7MF as opposed to the J-7FS which had the Corsair nose, it was never built. It planned to utilize the J-10's radar from my impression.