Chinese Defence Today - J-7E/G Interceptor Fighter Aircraft (original) (raw)

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J-7E/G INTERCEPTOR FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Co (CAC) Jian-7E (J-7E) is an updated version of the original J-7 (Chinese copy of the MiG-21 Fishbed) with revised wing design and more modern avionics and weaponry. The export variant F-7MG/PG is fitted with Western-made radar and equipment. The J-7G is a further improved version introduced in 2002. The J-7E/G has been in service with the PLAAF and PLANAF since the mid-1990s to replace the existing J-7B.

PROGRAMME

Chengdu began to develop a successor to its J-7B fighter in 1987. Improvements were made to overcome the weakness of the existing J-7B, including obsolete avionics, lack of all-weather, day/night combat capabilities, and poor aerodynamic performance in low-speed, low-altitude flight. CAC adopted a great deal of new technologies such as computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), numerical control processing, laser/electromagnetic tests, composite materials, and high-pressured water cuts in the development. The resulting J-7E made its maiden flight in May 1990. By 1992 the fighter completed all flight tests and was ready for batch production.

The J-7E is based on the airframe of the J-7B, but its wings have been changed to a unique "double delta" design offering improved aerodynamics and increased fuel storage capability. The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is further improved by the introduction of a more powerful WP-13F turbojet. Compared to the J-7B, the J-7E’s sea-level climbing rate has increased from 155m/s to 195m/s; the internal fuel capacity has increased from 2,080kg to 4,165kg; the ferry range has increased from 1,500km to 2,200km; the G limit has increased from 7 to 8. The maximum instantaneous turn rate of the J-7E is 25.2 degree/s, and the maximum sustained turn rate at 1,000m altitude is 16 degree/s. According to CAC, the overall aerodynamic performance of the J-7E has increased by 43%, and the combat effectiveness has increased by 84% compared to the J-7B.

Chengdu revealed its F-7MG, the export version of the J-7E, in the 1996 Zhuhai Airshow. The F-7MG is fitted with GEC-Marconi Super Skyranger PD fire-control radar and electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite, as well as a Martin-Baker zero/zero ejection seat. The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) has ordered two batches (57 aircraft in total) of F-7PG fighters, a variant based on the F-7MG with specified modifications under the requirements of the PAF.

J-7G

A further improved version of the J-7E, known as J-7G, was first spotted under flight test in 2002. The J-7G is similar to the J-7E in basic aerodynamic layout, but has upgraded avionics. The J-7G is said to be fitted with a new indigenous KLJ-6E pulse-Doppler fire-control radar, which may be a Chinese copy of the Israeli EL/M2001 optimised for PL-8B and PL-5C short-range AAMs. A new electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite includes a Type-III all aspect radar warning receiver (RWR) and chaff/flare dispenser.

The J-7G also features a single-piece curving windscreen in place of the original three-segment windscreen. A new type of communications antenna is located behind the canopy. Additionally the J-7G might also be fitted with hemlet-mounted sight (HMS) for close air combat. As a result of the increased avionics weight, Chengdu engineers had to remove one 30mm cannon onboard, leaving the aircraft with only one cannon (60 rounds).

VARIANTS

DESIGN

The unique double-delta-shape wing of the J-7E designed by Northwest Polytechnic University (NPU) has a slightly larger wingspan and wing area, giving the J-7E a bigger internal fuel capacity and better manoeuvrability. The original WP-7B turbojet was replaced by an improved WP-13F. The J-7E is comparable in manoeuvrability and general performance to early versions of the F-16A/B, and can make a serious challenge to a modern fighter in 'dog fight' air combat.

WEAPONS

Fixed weapon includes two (J-7G only has one) 30mm Type 30-1 cannon with 60 rounds per gun in the lower sides of the fuselage. Four under-wing stores stations can carry up to 2,000kg of disposable stores (each unit rated at 500kg), typical weapons are PL-8, and PL-9 short-range AAMs, free-fall weapons such as 500, 250, 100 and 50kg bombs, and multiple launchers each carrying twelve 55mm or seven 90mm unguided rockets. Centre fuselage station and two outboard wing stations are pumped to carry 720 litre drop tanks.

AVIONICS

Avionics configuration varies on different variants.

Fire-control: Three options are available for the fire-control radar on J-7E/F-7MG series:

• The GEC-Marconi Super Skyranger PD fire-control radar, X-band, detect-range of 15km, look-down, shoot-down, track up to 8 targets simultaneously.
• The Italian Grifo-7 fire-control radar, I-band, detect-range of 55km.
• Indigenous Type 226 PD fire-control radar (J-7E).
• New indigenous PD fire-control radar (J-7G)

If necessary, the J-7E could also easily adopt the helmet-mounted sight (HMS) for better combat effectiveness.

Flight: WL-7 radio compass; 0101 HR A2 altitude radio altimeter; LTC-2 horizon gyro; XS-6 marker beacon receiver; VOR; Distance Measure Equipment (DME); Instrument Landing System (ILS), TAKAN navigation system.

Self-defence: South-West China Research Institute of Electronic Equipment KG-8602 RWR interfaced with the South-West China Research Institute of Electronic Equipment KG-8605 internal radar noise jammer and China National Import and Export Corporation GT-1 chaff/flare dispenser, and Type 602 'Odd Rods' IFF.

Avionics upgrades include a new head-up display (HUD), radar warning receiver (RWR), air data computer, GPS and inertial navigation system (INS), and a new pulse-Doppler fire-control radar based on Russian or Israeli technology.

POWERPLANT

One Liyang (LMC) Wopen-13F (R-13-300) turbojet rated at 44.1kN dry and 66.7kN with afterburning. Nose air inlet.

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew: 1
Dimensions: Wingspan: 8.32m; Length: 14.885m; Height: 4.103m
Weight: Empty: 5,292kg; Normal take-off: 7,540kg; Maximum take-off: 9,100kg
Max Speed: Mach 2.0
Radius: (Long-range interception with two AAMs and three 720 liter drop tanks at speed of Mach 1.5) 850km; (Interception with two bombs and three 720 liter drop tanks, lo-lo-hi) 550km
Range: ferry range 2,200km
Service Ceiling: 18,800m
Max Climb Rate: 195m/s (sea level)
G limit: -3 to +8 (5,000 m)

Date Last Updated: 10 November 05