The Q-5, J-7, J-8 and older PLAAF aircraft

crobato · Nov 24, 2008

They're still operating the J-8E, which is the J-8I or J-8A upgraded with the systems from the J-7E. But in the next decade I can expect gradual retirement of the J-8E, J-8B and J-8B block 2 (J-8B upgraded with the J-8D systems), as well as J-7B, J-7H (J-7B upgraded with J-7E systems), and even J-7E has started retirement.

Rather than directly retiring J-8H/F types, in the next decade, the phase out begins by moving these planes from frontline units into reserve and secondary units, then the front line units themselves move to J-10 or J-11B.

tphuang · Nov 24, 2008

Semi-Lobster said:
Ahh, so for all we now there are already J-8H/Fs right now with WP-14 Kunlun engines! Well if this or the next year will be the last for the J-8II it will end a very important (but sort of convoluted) chapter in Chinese aviation history. How long do you think it will take to phase out the J-8 in the future? Years? Decades? After all, the PLA only retired the last combat J-6 in 2005, over 40 years since it was introduced. Wit that sort of lifespan possible, perhaps in the future there wil be another upgrade for the J-8, afterall, I just read that the J-8s have now been spotted with dorsal datalink antennas.

all the new J-8Fs should be using kunlun, not sure about the converted ones. According to one of the big shrimps, even some J-7s are using Kunlun, but that's unconfirmed.

Semi-Lobster · Nov 24, 2008

It seems to me the PLANAF will be the longest users of the J-8II series IMO given its speed, refueling capabilities, twin engines, large payload and 'long legs' as a naval strike fighter. I've read about it being used in the PLANAF but what anti-ship weapons does the J-8H/F carry?

crobato · Nov 24, 2008

We have not seen them carry antiship missiles, although I suspect the potential is there.

The problem with the J-8 and other turbojet powered aircraft like the J-7, is their fuel consumption isn't as efficient as turbofan powered fighters. So you can't hang around or loiter in that aircraft, and it does not handle very well at low speeds either with that extreme swept delta wing.

Semi-Lobster · Nov 24, 2008

crobato said:
We have not seen them carry antiship missiles, although I suspect the potential is there.

The problem with the J-8 and other turbojet powered aircraft like the J-7, is their fuel consumption isn't as efficient as turbofan powered fighters. So you can't hang around or loiter in that aircraft, and it does not handle very well at low speeds either with that extreme swept delta wing.

That sounds exactly like the Su-33/J-11B!

But now that I think about it, other than the SY-2A, what other fighterborne antiship missile is there to work with in China?

crobato · Nov 24, 2008

Usually YJ-83 stuff that is carried by JH-7As. The JH-7As are the designated bombers. For purely bomber stuff, there is the C-301 Kraken carried by H-6Ds. There might be AshM YJ-62 and YJ-63 that are meant to be carried by modernized H-6s. Another possibility is the supersonic but shorter ranged YJ-91 that is based on Kh-31A antiship missile used on the Su-30MK2.

adeptitus · Nov 24, 2008

Semi-Lobster said:
It seems to me the PLANAF will be the longest users of the J-8II series IMO given its speed, refueling capabilities, twin engines, large payload and 'long legs' as a naval strike fighter. I've read about it being used in the PLANAF but what anti-ship weapons does the J-8H/F carry?

The J-8F is cited as being able to carry the Kh-31, but so far I've only seen pics of the earlier J-8-IIM with that missile.

tphuang · Nov 24, 2008

this is the most surprising news I read recently

发个好消息：601的歼八某重点型号要通过设计定型了！
HKB消息：本报讯进入四季度，601所承担的各项重点型号研究任务到了决战攻坚的关键时刻，歼八某重点型号飞机要通过设计定型、某型飞机即将进行首飞。。。。。所长孙聪强调，重点型号研制是当前最大政治任务，全所广大干部职工，必须振奋精神，增强完成重点型号任务的责任感、使命感和荣誉感，确保全面完成全年各项工作任务。

basically saying that I SAC has a new J-8 project that just passed design certification and another plane that is going for first flight. I'm hoping that the latter is naval flanker, but the first one is just sad. They are still developing new J-8s? Are you serious?

It could be J-8T according to these entries

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looks to be a new reconnaissance variant.

Semi-Lobster · Nov 25, 2008

tphuang said:
this is the most surprising news I read recently

basically saying that I SAC has a new J-8 project that just passed design certification and another plane that is going for first flight. I'm hoping that the latter is naval flanker, but the first one is just sad. They are still developing new J-8s? Are you serious?

It could be J-8T according to these entries

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looks to be a new reconnaissance variant.

What would the 'T' stand for? I thought there already was a recon version of the J-8, the JZ-8F?

Engineer · Nov 25, 2008

tphuang said:
this is the most surprising news I read recently

basically saying that I SAC has a new J-8 project that just passed design certification and another plane that is going for first flight. I'm hoping that the latter is naval flanker, but the first one is just sad. They are still developing new J-8s? Are you serious?

It could be J-8T according to these entries

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looks to be a new reconnaissance variant.

It is Shenyang, you really shouldn't be surprised. I am willing to bet that 30 years later, you will get to see J-11G or something. :roll:

The latter design in reference is likely a Flanker derivative, but I highly doubt it will be a naval variant since there will be a lot of structural modifications involved and this is simply not Shenyang's "style". By the way, aren't there rumors that Shenyang is working on two 5th generation designs while Chengdu is working on one? The two designs from Shenyang are probably J-8 and J-11 variants. :roll:

The Q-5, J-7, J-8 and older PLAAF aircraft

crobato

Colonel

tphuang

Lieutenant General

Semi-Lobster

Junior Member

crobato

Colonel

Semi-Lobster

Junior Member

crobato

Colonel

adeptitus

Captain

tphuang

Lieutenant General

Semi-Lobster

Junior Member

Engineer

Major