J-8 Finback

     Notes: Beginning as a variant of the J-7 (the Chinese version of the MiG-21 Fishbed), the J-8 was first designed as an enlarged and upgraded MiG-21 and then was further modified by placing a more powerful engine in it, moving the air intakes to the sides, and enlarging the nose and upgrading the radar and avionics.  The J-8IID uses leading edge flaps for improved maneuverability, a more powerful engine than the standard J-8II, titanium surfaces and frame in high-stress areas, and more powerful radar and better avionics.  This aircraft had a very long development time and was almost cancelled several times before the designers finally got it right and production was authorized; however, until the introduction of the J-8IIM/D, the Finback was considered by most analysts to be a sub-par aircraft for its day and age.  Only the J-8IIM and J-8IID are capable of aerial refueling.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

J-8

$5,029,200

AvG

4.5 tons

16.58 tons

1

24

None

Enclosed

J-8I

$18,967,050

AvG

4.5 tons

17.58 tons

1

26

Radar

Enclosed

J-8E

$35,634,760

AvG

4.5 tons

17.58 tons

1

26

Radar

Enclosed

J-8II

$33,894,500

AvG

4.5 tons

17.8 tons

1

28

Radar

Enclosed

J-8IIM

$36,944,470

AvG

4.5 tons

19.6 tons

1

30

Radar

Enclosed

J-8II Block 2

$34,213,260

AvG

4.5 tons

17.7 tons

1

28

Radar

Enclosed

J-8IID

$37,557,880

AvG

4.5 tons

19.6 tons

1

30

Radar

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

J-8/J-8I/J-8E

4664

1166 (125)

NA  292  6/4  60/40

5770

7776

20800

J-8II

4676

1169 (120)

NA  292  7/4  70/40

5290

5568

20200

J-8IIM

5138

1284 (125)

NA  321  6/4  60/40

5290

7419

20200

J-8II Block II

4676

1169 (120)

NA  292  7/4  70/40

5290

5568

20200

J-8IID

5138

1284 (120)

NA  321  7/5  70/50

5290

7419

20000

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

J-8

Flare/Chaff Dispensers

800/575m Hardened Runway

+1

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8I

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers

800/575m Hardened Runway

+1

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8E

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers, HUD

800/575m Hardened Runway

+2

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8II

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers

755/540m Hardened Runway

+1

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8IIM

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispenser, ECM 1, HUD Interface, Multitarget (2), Look-Down Radar

755/540m Hardened Runway

+3

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 7 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8II Block 2

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers, ECM 1, HUD

755/540m Hardened Runway

+2

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

200x23mm

J-8IID

RWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers, HUD Interface, ECM 1, Auto Track, IR Uncage, Target ID, Multitarget (2)

725/515m; Hardened Runway

+3

2xType 23-III Autocannons, 7 Hardpoints

200x23mm

 

J-9

     Notes: The J-9 is also known by several other designations, including FC-1, Super-7, and JF-17.  This Chinese fighter-bomber is based on the design of the MiG-33, which was rejected by the Russian Air Force.  It was designed to replace the J-7 (MiG-21) Fishbed and also provide a more useful air-to-ground capability than that aircraft.  The J-9 has maneuverability similar to the US F-16, though it is smaller than the F-16.  Doppler pulse radar equips the aircraft.  The J-9 has a computer system that makes it easy to switch from air-to-air to air-to-ground modes.  The J-9 also carried out many air strikes against Russian forces during its conflict with that country.  The two wingtip hardpoints may only be used for air-to-air missiles or electronics pods.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This aircraft is also used by Pakistan, and was a standout in combat against the Indians during the Twilight War. 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$33,181,090

AvG

3.8 tons

12.7 tons

1

22

Radar

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

3818

955 (120)

NA  239  10/5  100/50

2320

3225

16500

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

All-Weather Flight, Flare/Chaff Dispensers, Radar Warning Receiver, ECM 1, Auto Track, HUD, IR Uncage, Look-Down Radar, Track While Scan, Target ID, Laser Designator

700/500m Hardened Runway

+4

1xGSh-23-2 23mm Autocannon, 9 Hardpoints

400x23mm

 

Q-5 Fantan

     Notes: This aircraft is a Chinese modification of the Russian MiG-19 of the 1950s.  It has a totally redesigned forward fuselage and air intakes.  Export versions can use US-made air-to-air missiles.  Four of the ten hardpoints may be used for drop tanks or stores.  It has been marketed overseas as a less-expensive alternative to other countries' planes.  The aircraft has an ejection seat, but is not capable of in-flight refueling.  This aircraft is used by China, Bangladesh, North Korea, Burma, and Pakistan.  Chinese versions of this aircraft are capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

     The Q-5 is the basic model; it has a small bomb bay in the fuselage (1 ton capacity).  The Q-5A has been modified to carry the large and heavy atomic bombs that the Chinese possessed in the 1970s, and is radiologically shielded, but can also be used for conventional attack.  The Q-5I deletes the bomb bay, replacing it with additional fuel tanks, and also uses more powerful engines.  The Q-5IA adds a better gunsight and two more underfuselage hardpoints.  The Q-5II adds a radar warning receiver.

     The Q-5B, built for the Chinese Navy, has a Doppler radar and the ability to carry heavy antiship missiles.  It also has an autopilot.  The Q-5III, known as the A-5C in export form, has an improved ejection seat, updated avionics, and hardpoints conversion lugs that allow it to carry Western weapons.

     The Q-5K has greatly upgraded electronics and avionics, most of which are French-made.  The Q-5M has further upgraded avionics, as well as two additional hardpoints under the wings.  The Q-5E/F (also known as the A-5M) has a more powerful engine than the Q-5K and even better fire control.

 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Q-5

$26,063,230

AvG

1.5 tons

11.3 tons

1

20

Radar

Enclosed

Q-5A

$26,063,230

AvG

1.5 tons

11.3 tons

1

20

Radar

Shielded

Q-5I

$26,288,780

AvG

2 tons

11.83 tons

1

24

Radar

Enclosed

Q-5IA

$27,085,410

AvG

2 tons

11.88 tons

1

24

Radar

Enclosed

Q-5II/B

$27,882,040

AvG

2 tons

11.88 tons

1

24

Radar

Enclosed

Q-5III

$28,920,350

AvG

2 tons

11.4 tons

1

24

Radar

Enclosed

Q-5K

$33,477,810

AvG

2 tons

12 tons

1

26

Radar, Image Intensification

Enclosed

Q-5M

$36,715,320

AvG

2 tons

12 tons

1

26

Radar, Image Intensification

Enclosed

Q-5E/F

$37,935,410

AvG

2 tons

12.2 tons

1

28

Radar, Image Intensification

Enclosed

 

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Q-5/Q-5A

2380

595 (90)

NA  149  4/2  40/20

1008

2715

16000

Q-5I/IA/B/II

2420

605 (90)

NA  151  4/2  40/20

1714

4970

16000

Q-5III/K/M

2420

605 (90)

NA  151  5/3  50/30

1714

4970

16000

Q-E/F

2440

610 (90)

NA 153  6/4  60/40

1714

4825

16000

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Q-5/Q-5A

Flare/Chaff Dispensers

760/500m Primitive Runway

None

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 6 Hardpoints, 1 Bomb Bay

200x23mm

Q-5I

Flare/Chaff Dispensers

760/500m Primitive Runway

None

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 6 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5IA

Flare/Chaff Dispensers

760/500m Primitive Runway

+1

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 8 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5II/B

Flare/Chaff Dispensers, RWR

760/500m Primitive Runway

+1

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 8 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5III

Flare/Chaff Dispensers, RWR

760/500m Primitive Runway

+2

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 8 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5K

Flare/Chaff Dispensers, RWR, HUD

760/500m Primitive Runway

+3

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 8 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5M

Flare/Chaff Dispensers, RWR, HUD, IR Uncage, ECM 1

760/500m Primitive Runway

+3

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 10 Hardpoints

200x23mm

Q-5E/F

Flare/Chaff Dispensers, RWR, HUD, IR Uncage, ECM 1, Laser Rangefinder

760/500m Primitive Runway

+4

2xType 23-2K Autocannons, 12 Hardpoints

200x23mm