Shenyang (AVIC) J-8 / J-8 II (Finback)

History

The Shenyang J-8 series (NATO codename "Finback") is a Chinese indigenous multi-role fighter design that appeared in 1980. Since China had a habit of buying Soviet equipment as early as the Cold War, it was only natural that the design of the "Finback" would be different from that made in the former Soviet Union, as both development and operational production were very simple to imitate. The new design incorporates aspects of Soviet-inspired machines such as the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "Fishbed" and Sukhoi Su-15 "Flagon" aircraft.

It should be noted that the Shenyang-produced Finback is an aircraft whose origins date back to the late 1960s, delayed by China's impending Cultural Revolution - and local political events that seemed to have delayed important technological advances. The "revolution" would force the Finback project to develop its wing in a slow, methodical effort and see the aircraft officially join the Chinese Air Force in 1980 - a development spanning roughly 10 years.

The design is traditional and very similar to previous Russian aircraft products. The cockpit is located forward of the long-nosed fuselage with a tapered nose cone and straight sides. The twin-engine air intakes are mounted on either side of the fuselage, behind the cockpit, giving the pilot relatively good all-round visibility. The wings are low single-wing structures with extremely sharp angles, in much the same way as the design used by the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "fish bed".

The rear wing consists of conventional horizontally arranged elevators and a single vertical rear wing surface located above the twin engine exhausts at the rear. Externally, the J-8 follows the exterior design of the Sukhoi Su-15, while much of the interior technology is based on supplied Soviet materials related to the MiG-21.

So, the final product isn't really surprising given the massive Soviet involvement and influence on Chinese design.

The armament is of Soviet J-8 pedigree with various short- and medium-range air-to-air missile systems. The addition of semi-active anti-radar missiles certainly adds to the type's capabilities, as does its ability to carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface gun pods for close range work. Conventional bomb-dropping is also part of the scavenging capability, effectively making the J-8 series a versatile performer.

The standard weapon is a 23mm cannon, based of course on the original Soviet design.

The J-8 series has been in service since 1980 and has been modified several times since then to produce many variants. The base J-8 (NATO codename "Finback-A") is a pure day fighter, produced in extremely limited quantities. The J-8 "Series I" became the first large finfish, about 100 were produced and adopted the "finfish-A" designation in NATO.

The Series I finbacks feature the Sichuan SR-4 Series radar system, a one-piece canopy, and some minor airframe improvements.

The J-8E became the upgraded J-8I variant, while the JZ-8 (or J-8R) was advertised as a dedicated reconnaissance platform. J-8ACT was used as the fly-by-wire development model name.

The J-8II ("Finback-B") had a nose-mounted radar assembly, in which the MiG-21-style nose-mounted air intakes were abandoned in favor of side-mounted air intakes (similar to the MiG- 23 "Flogger""). There is a folding fin on the ventral side and the canopy is made of a two-piece system. The J-8 IIB is of course advertised as an upgraded J-8II, which also adopts the NATO codename "Finback-B" , equipped with two WP-13AII turbojets and a series of 23mm 23-III cannons.

Likewise, the fly-by-wire development model is represented by the J-8II-BW2/J-8IIACT. The J-8 IID is equipped with air Refuel the probe.

The "II Series" is a good representation on the world market of the export-friendly J-8IIM/F-8IIM based on the J-8B production model. These versions are equipped with a WP13B turbojet with a thrust of 15,432 pounds.

Other improvements include the Soviet Phazotron Zhuk-8 II pulse-Doppler radar system, an updated cockpit and integrated GPS navigation.

The "Peace Pearl" J-8II is a planned joint US-China attempt to combine the production J-8II with US avionics, an APG-66 radar system and an ejection seat. The Tiananmen incident ended the project.

Other improved finfish come in the form of J-8IIH, J-8IIF and J-8IIM models, each slightly different. Equipped with WP-14 engines, the J-8III features improved radar capabilities, digital fire control solutions, and an improved cockpit (with multifunction display) and canopy.

Another family of technology demonstrators, the F-8 uses an integrated fly-by-wire digital control system.

The J-8 series is already in service with the Chinese Air Force and Navy, and will continue to be in active service until a new generation of Chinese indigenous multi-role aircraft comes online in large numbers. At least 325 Finbacks are known to have been produced.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes