Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

A new Chinese-made Flying Leopard fighter-bombers
China’s Foreign Periodicals draw side view of Q-6 fighter
to do wind tunnel testing of Q-6 model shows The machine uses a variable-geometry wing design
Foreign Periodicals Chinese JH-7 to draw the type of aircraft the Air Force side view

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China’s “Flying Leopard” develop the whole story: the hard trek

Wen/Wang Zhanliang

[Editor's note] This compilation from the world’s leading aviation magazine “International Air Power Review” 2008, published in 25 volumes of the long article “Xi-an JH-7″ Flounder “-China ‘s” Flying Leopard “”, Articles does not endorse or confirm its contents, a reference work.

Xi’an Aircraft Industry Corporation JH-7 prior to the project with many other Chinese aircraft project, must respond to the needs of a number of changes, but also repeatedly faced the danger of being abandoned. The project is also due to two users – China’s air force and naval aviation’s long-term competition difficult. Because of technical difficulties, especially due to lack of suitable power plant who were delayed. However, many observers were shocked that the machine eventually serving as China’s most important military projects. It not only meets the Chinese Air Force long-range interceptor and fighter-bombers of the original demand, but also meet China’s naval air force for maritime attack aircraft needs.

development of the cause

if good relations with the Soviet Union is not broken, the company had Nanchang Q-5 and H-5 Harbin’s most likely successor MiG-23BN, MiG-27 or Su -20/22. However, the breakdown of relations between the Chinese air force and naval aviation had to use outdated H-5 and Q-5 “Fan Tan” close air support attack aircraft to make do for many years.

JH-7 led to the birth of a series of events is the source of the Paracel Islands in the political and diplomatic disputes. This came to be known as the sand of the sea battle in the conflict January 20, 1974, the warring parties and the South China Sea Fleet of China Navy South Vietnam. Early January 1974, South Vietnam from the Vietnamese authorities unilaterally declared 362 km east of the Paracel Islands (China known as the Paracel Islands) near the sea oil exploration. South Vietnam Navy dispatched a small fleet to the area to form a cordon. It is reported that the number of jobs in the Chinese fishermen were killed.

1974 年 1 月 20, the Chinese navy to take action, the fleet off guard and quickly occupied the South Vietnam South Vietnam in the Paracel Islands to build the position. Paracel Islands since then has been placed under the jurisdiction of China and has never occurred in the military disputes. Mainly naval conflict between the two countries at war, both sides have casualties. Although China has achieved victory, but also exposed some serious flaws, especially the lack of effective air support.

followed by analysis of these events, the Chinese military in 1975, the development of military equipment meeting requirements of three machines and the Department of Aviation Industry – two later formed the China Aviation Industry Corporation, launched the next generation of ultra long-range sound tactical bomber project to replace the H-5 and Q-5. Two years ago, the Chinese Air Force and the Chinese Ministry of Aeronautics has made similar demands, evaluation of a new aircraft to replace the medium bomber force was the backbone of China’s H-5. 1974-year event to the urgent need to promote the project political will. Early 1974, Institute of Aviation set up a research group 603, and sent the group to the Chinese Air Force and naval air forces to discuss the needs of the new bomber.

initial operational requirements of the new machine is remote, to low altitude high subsonic flight, weather, perform tasks at night, have a special weapon system manipulation member. The two-seater fighter-bombers, and the European concept of “wind”, the U.S. F-111 or the Soviet Su-24 “fencer” similar. Meanwhile, the Chinese naval aviation aircraft are also showing interest in anti-ship role. Need to perform anti-ship naval task attack aircraft, combat radius is 2.5 times the Q-5, payload is Q-5 2 ~ 3 times, and without fighter escort will be able to conduct air combat with the enemy. However, when the Chinese aviation industry can not be developed for both the Air Force and Navy are two different types of aircraft.

integrated force needs

For these reasons, the National Defense Science and Technology Commission of China Air, the Navy needs to determine the new machine based on the technical requirements and design specifications , proposed a new fighter-bomber is a kind of air-and air-attack capability of the multi-purpose bomber. The machine must have 3000-5000 kg bomber to the large volume, medium-sized surface ships and sea attack on the sea front, air bases, communications centers and troop concentrations in the precision strike. Such attacks should be at low altitude, all-weather, near the speed of sound, day and night conditions. In addition, the National Defense Science and Technology Commission made the aircraft a maximum speed of 1.5 Mach, altitude, low altitude (below 500 meters) maximum speed of Mach 0.9, range 2800 km above the combat radius of 800 kilometers. The machine needs to be able to use second-tier Air Force bases, the need to have good STOL performance and field maintenance capabilities.

Based on these indicators, the Central Military Commission that the two military services for the development of a different structure, weapons and avionics platform for the body, this will save development costs and time. In June 1976, held a meeting in Beijing, three machines to the Chinese Ministry of major aircraft manufacturers bidding to start research project, within the shortest time required to present their design.

and the Nanchang Aircraft Factory, Shenyang Institute of Design will soon come up with their own design, and Xi’an, a little behind in this respect. Nanchang’s Q-6, to a significant improvement after the MiG-23 airframe is based; Shenyang J-8 fighter jets made by the ground-based attack; Xi’an put forward is the JH-7.

1977 In February, the State Council and Central Military Commission jointly approved the research project and task to Air 603 Aircraft Design Institute and Xi’an Aircraft Factory. 603 chief designer Chen Yijian responsible for aircraft design; and Xi’an Aircraft Factory – Xi’an Aircraft Industry Corporation became responsible for the manufacture of prototype and subsequent production. At the same time, the aircraft engine development work to pay and now Xi’an Aero Engine Factory. At this point the new bomber bomber named in accordance with the usual Chinese method, followed by Xian H-6 bombers, after being named the bomber 7, referred to as H-7. There are other sources said, Xi’an in November 1977 was submitted to the program.

competitors

1976 Issued in target sign books, only Shenyang, Xi’an, Nanchang, and three responses. At the time, Shenyang is China’s major aircraft manufacturers, China’s aviation industry leader; and Nanchang is the only company in China with production of Q-5 ground attack aircraft experienced manufacturer.

Shenyang JH-8 filed soon grew out of Shenyang J-8 of the first program. Just as people sometimes still kept secret of this project, as called, JH-8 intends to J-8 interceptors of the body as the basis for a new attack aircraft. Shenyang Aircraft Factory engineers and technicians use the J-8′s rear fuselage, and the development of a new forward fuselage. The first part of the machine with the MiG-23 is similar to installing a high-power radar. J-8 to both sides of the nose into the air intake, which is very similar to the design of the Soviet Union, and install more powerful engines. Sources also mentioned that the use of known as the “swept wing” to carry more weapons, new wing design.

Although the machine’s maximum service ceiling 20,000 meters down from the 15,000 meters maximum speed of Mach 1.75 reduced by the Mach 2, but the carrying of weapons to enhance the capacity from 2200 kg to 4500 kg, range of more than 3,000 km , and can carry a variety of air to air missiles. Remove these unconfirmed reports, the details of the aircraft is not known. Some analysts have even tried to link up with the Su-15Sh.

Shenyang won the favor of the proposal the beginning, because it made the improvements needed in combat, and develop the lowest risk, shortest time possible service. However, technical difficulties has become a serious stumbling block. As the other two indicates that a great success, national defense science and technology commission suspended the JH-8 design. Six years later, Shenyang, and then JH-8 basis after careful layout to develop an improved J-8 Ⅱ fighter. Some sources in China that the Shenyang aircraft also intended to be used as an alternative to H-5 machine. Unfortunately, the JH-8 is very little news of the project, it has not even reached the prototype stage, the National Defense Science and Technology Commission suspended its competitions on qualifications.

Nanchang Q-6 Nanchang Q-5 to the main designer Lu Xiaopeng led the design Q-6. Q-6 design is based on the beginning of the air force MiG-23 and structural basis. The mid-1970s, in addition to two MiG-21M, China also from abroad two MiG-23MS, two MiG-23BN, MiG-23U two and 10 AS-5 ground missiles. Therefore, China imitation through reverse engineering of its components, especially avionics and R-29 turbojet engine. Lu Xiaopeng also visited many Chinese air force and naval officers to hear their views on the necessary aircraft. February 1979, the final design presented to Defense Science and Technology Commission.

Q-6 is a variable-geometry wing aircraft. It draws on MiG-23′s most of the rear of the structure, and with a belly and a high intake of the new forward fuselage cockpit set combination. Q-6 122.4 kN thrust of the plan to use WS-6 engine, the aircraft weight of 14,500 kg, maximum payload 4500 kg, estimated combat radius of 900 km, more than MiG-23 flight performance.

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