by78
General
Oppositional research. A full-size model of J-8 is being hoisted into an anechoic chamber somewhere in America.
Actually, I think that's a real J-8II. Look up .
The Q-5, J-7, J-8 and older PLAAF aircraft
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Actually, I think that's a real J-8II. Look up .
What does CTC, NTC and ETC mean ? And just how many J-7's are there in frontline service in total ?This is via at the CDF after we had a discussion on this report
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"Deino, thanks for the check. You are right on 71 being in CTC. I've corrected it below and merely reflected it as a brigade since I'm assuming all fighter units have converted to brigades. I haven't noted any operational difference between how regiments are operated vis brigades yet.
On 94, this was previously under Nanjing (ETC) but later merged with Jinan MR training base - per scramble, which technically puts it under CTC. However scramble lists it under NTC (not sure why). Location wise, I think it is unlikely to be under NTC control but borderline between CTC & ETC. Considering the depot status, I would provisionally put it under CTC instead.
Updated.
CTC: 20 (Tangshan), 21 (Yanqing), 53 (Wudangshan), 71 (Xishanbeixiang), 94 (Xuzhou) – depot
STC: 27 (Pulandian), 52 (Wuhan), 132 (Xiangyun)
ETC: 42 (Zhangshu)
NTC: 44 (Bikeqi), 88 (Dandong), 91 (Liuhe)
WTC: 1 Tng Bde (Jiuquan), 2 Tng Bde (Hami) – only training units left
Article:China to replace J-7 fighter jets with advanced models
I estimate J-7s may be withdrawn from combat service within the next 5 years and clearly won't go past this decade in frontline combat service."
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So in summary, he comes to the same conclusion!
TC=Theater Command, C/N/E=Central/Northern/Eastern
Each fighter brigade has ~24-30 airframes. Afaik all frontline units have switched out their J-7/8s for 4+ generation fighters, remaining J-7 brigades serve as second line units or are used to retain pilot currency while the unit transitions to airframes fresh off the production line or older fighters (think Su-27SK/J-11As and older J-10As) rotated in from other units that have received new planes.
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Is this including the JJ-7 trainers, or just the combat variants? I was under the impression that the last batch of JJ-7 trainers was delivered relatively recently.This is via at the CDF after we had a discussion on this report
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"Deino, thanks for the check. You are right on 71 being in CTC. I've corrected it below and merely reflected it as a brigade since I'm assuming all fighter units have converted to brigades. I haven't noted any operational difference between how regiments are operated vis brigades yet.
On 94, this was previously under Nanjing (ETC) but later merged with Jinan MR training base - per scramble, which technically puts it under CTC. However scramble lists it under NTC (not sure why). Location wise, I think it is unlikely to be under NTC control but borderline between CTC & ETC. Considering the depot status, I would provisionally put it under CTC instead.
Updated.
CTC: 20 (Tangshan), 21 (Yanqing), 53 (Wudangshan), 71 (Xishanbeixiang), 94 (Xuzhou) – depot
STC: 27 (Pulandian), 52 (Wuhan), 132 (Xiangyun)
ETC: 42 (Zhangshu)
NTC: 44 (Bikeqi), 88 (Dandong), 91 (Liuhe)
WTC: 1 Tng Bde (Jiuquan), 2 Tng Bde (Hami) – only training units left
Article:China to replace J-7 fighter jets with advanced models
I estimate J-7s may be withdrawn from combat service within the next 5 years and clearly won't go past this decade in frontline combat service."
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So in summary, he comes to the same conclusion!
Thank you, just making sure I was interpreting correctly. So that would mean a max of only about 60 JJ-7s left then, assuming they're keeping to the 24-30 per brigade mentioned above.
Even combat J-7s are used to train pilots on individual flying. A documentary on the Central Combat Theater mentioned that most of the J-7 pilots ended up flying 4th gen or even J-20 in frontline combat units.'
I won't say it's exactly 30 airframes per training brigade.... Case and point 2nd Training Brigade at Hami started receiving and operating JL-9s, so they might just be operating a handful of J-7s. Some training brigades operate a mix of JJ-7/JL-8/JL-9/JL-10, so you might just end up seeing ~8-10 of each per brigade. Anyways That's the best answer you'll get out of me I'm afraid, my interests/following are more on front line units
I'll say this though - special mission units that fly the J-8FR (reconnaissance variant) tend to also have JJ-7s (or some form of the J-7) as a proficiency aircraft for their pilots, much like how the USAF U-2 and old SR-71 units also have T-38s.
No worries, that's super useful input. Thanks!I won't say it's exactly 30 airframes per training brigade.... Case and point 2nd Training Brigade at Hami started receiving and operating JL-9s, so they might just be operating a handful of J-7s. Some training brigades operate a mix of JJ-7/JL-8/JL-9/JL-10, so you might just end up seeing ~8-10 of each per brigade. Anyways That's the best answer you'll get out of me I'm afraid, my interests/following are more on front line units
I'll say this though - special mission units that fly the J-8FR (reconnaissance variant) tend to also have JJ-7s (or some form of the J-7) as a proficiency aircraft for their pilots, much like how the USAF U-2 and old SR-71 units also have T-38s.
Cockpit photo of a J-8E, which is an improved J-8I variant with fire-control radar.
