Function: Twin-engined, single-seat aircraft is primarily used for air combat, with the capability of ground attack.





History: Introduced in 1964, the J-8 was the first People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft utilizing a wholly Chinese design. While similar in configuration to the Soviet MiG-21 or the Chinese J-7, the J-8 airframe has been enlarged to accommodate two engines. Although the design was approved in 1964, prototype production was not completed until 1969. Because of the civil unrest caused by the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), the prototypes would see only limited flight activity through 1976, delaying production further. Production of the J-8 began in December 1979, with very few airframes actually entering service. These first-run aircraft were equipped with a single axial air intake supplying air to both engines, with a centrally mounted ranging radar, which gave the aircraft an appearance similar to the Mig-21/J-7. These aircraft were also equipped with two Type 30 30mm cannons and four under wing hardpoints, capable of firing the PL-2B short-range air-to-air missile. First-run production was completed in 1987.



The second run J-8 I "Finback A" entered production in 1985. Similar to the original J-8, the J-8 I had an improved radar which gave it all-weather capability. In addition, the two 30mm cannons were replaced by a single twin-barreled 23mm cannon. Production was halted in 1987 after some 100 aircraft were built (including original J-8 aircraft converted to the J-8 I design).



The completely redesigned J-8 II "Finback B" was first flown in 1984 and made public in 1986. The forward section of the airframe has been completely redesigned, replacing the single combination air intake-radome with two separate intakes, mounted laterally on the fuselage just aft of the cockpit, and a solid nose housing the aircraft's search radar. The solid nose also increases the amount of space available for additional after-market avionics. The J-8 II also incorporates a ventral stabilizer fin for increased maneuverability, which can folded for takeoff and landing. The export model of the J-8 II, designated the F-8 II, has improved avionics, to include digital electronics, a Heads Up Display (HUD), and Doppler radar, and engines, along with leading edge slats and in-flight refueling capabilities, giving it improved performance characteristics.



The J-8 IIM is a private venture (sponsored by Shenyang Aircraft Company) to improve the performance, and marketability, of the Basic J-8 II design. The J-8 IIM is capable of launching a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance, including the PL-8, R-27/AA-10 and PL-5B. In addition, conventional iron bombs can be carried on seven hardpoints. The J-8 IIM also incorporates the advanced Russian made Zhuk-8II (FG-8) look-down, shoot-down radar, which replaces the older Chinese Type-208 radar. The Zhuk-8II has a range of 70 nautical miles, is able to track up to 10 targets at once and engage 2 targets simultaneously with radar-guided missiles such as the AA-10, as well as to launch anti-ship missiles such as the Kh-31. While the J-8 IIM also incorporates improved engines, the J-8 IIM is actually heaver than the baseline model, so aircraft range and performance are down slightly. Though the J-8 IIM completed its first test flight in 1998, none have been exported.



The most recent variant of the J-8 introduced, the J-8D, appears to be a basic J-8 II modified with a fixed in-flight refueling probe. In addition, it would seem that the avionics package has been upgraded to allow the ability to fire the PL-8 IR missile and the PL-11 semi-active radar guided missile.





Description: The basic J-8 design is very similar in appearance to the Soviet MiG-21 and Chinese J-7 aircraft, with the modified delta wing, swept horizontal and vertical stabilizers and central combination air intake-radar housing. The J-8's laterally mounted twin engines, however, readily give it away, the twin exhausts easily visible below and aft of the vertical stabilizer. The J-8 II replaces the MiG-21 forward section with a completely new design, incorporating the same single seat stepped cockpit, but with a solid nose and two laterally mounted, one on each side of the fuselage, square air intakes. The back half of the J-8 II, however, remains largely unchanged from the original J-8 design.





General Characteristics, Shenyang J-8 (F-8 Finback)



Country:

People's Republic of China







Designation:

Jian-8 Finback





Type:

Intercept





Builder:

Shenyang Aircraft





Power Plant:

Two open 13A-II turbojets at 14,815 pounds thrust





Length:

70 feet, 10 inches (21.6 meters)





Wingspan:

30 feet ( 9.3 meters)





Weight:

Empty: 21,600 pounds (9,820 kilograms)



Normal Takeoff: 31,500 pounds (14,300 kilograms)



Maximum Takeoff: 39,200 pounds (17,800 kilograms)





Speed:

Maximum Speed: 1,450 mph (2,340 kmh, Mach 2.2)



Cruising Speed: 800 mph (1,300 kmh)







Ceiling:

18-20,000 meters





Range:

Combat Radius: 2,500 miles (800 kmh)



Cruise Radius: 800 miles (1,300 kilometers)



Ferry Range: 1,400 miles (2,200 kilometers)





Internal Fuel Capacity:

3994 kilograms





Armament:

Two 23mm cannons (J-8 only; not found on J-8II)



One underfuselage hardpoint



Six underwing hardpoints for fuel, bombs, rockets or missiles



Four PL-2 or PL-7 and 800 L drop tank (680 nm)



Two PL-2 or PL-7 and two 480 L drop tanks and one 800 L drop tank (741nm)







Sensors:

Izmurd raging radar

RWR

Ballistic bomb sight





Crew:

One