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Chengdu (AVIC) J-7 / F-7 (Fishcan)

1980 COLD WAR MODERN

History

After World War II (1939-1945), China and the Soviet Union were cooperating political powers. Naturally, this led to China being the recipient of modern technologies developed by Soviet engineers. Eventually, the introduction of Soviet aircraft, tanks and small arms enabled the Chinese to use the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 "Fagot" jet fighter in the Korean War. In 1955, the Soviet government granted China a license to produce the MiG-17 jet fighter, and hundreds of them were produced locally. Hands-on experience building advanced jets eventually enabled the booming Chinese aviation industry, centered on ordnance, airframes and engines.

For decades, reverse-engineering military weapons has showcased a certain amount of Chinese talenta feature that continues to this day. After all, the two-seater trainers, which are designed, developed and produced entirely in-house, are all done in-house.

Licensed production of the MiG-19 then entered the 1960s, although this period was quickly hampered by the Sino-Soviet split of 1960-1989, and political and military partnerships deteriorated.

Despite the differences, relations apparently eased during this period, enough to open the door for the Soviet Union to introduce their new MiG-21 "Fishbed" interceptor to the Chinese. Licensed for production in 1962, the local Shenyang company was commissioned to replicate the MiG-21F-13 "Fishbed-C" and its RD-11F-300 series engines. The Soviets helped with staff, aviation agencies, and kits, which were shipped to local Chinese rallies. At China's initiative, the MiG-21F was designated "J-7", and its foreign export counterpart became "F-7" (later given the thankless NATO codename "Fishcan", and the export was designated "Airguard" ). The corresponding engine copy is the localized "WP-7" product.

The first engine tests took place in October 1965, and the prototype was completed in November of the same year. The first flight of the Chinese F-7 was on January 17, 1966. This model proved to be a viable replica, and serial production was ordered, albeit slowly, from June 1967. The arrival of the "Cultural Revolution" (1966-1976) accelerated production, which was then distributed to the Chengdu factory.

The revolution undoubtedly hurt the J-7 at first, as the outage delayed the system's full operational status until the early 1980s. Since then, many problems have become apparent, as the Chinese product proved to be underperforming compared to the Soviet version.

The problem was not resolved until 1985.

The core of the F-7 can be considered a perfect replica of the excellent and widely used MiG-21 of the 1960s. The fuselage is mostly tubular, with a low-set delta main wing and a swept-back tail. The aircraft relies on a vertical tail. The cockpit is set up nicely with a light framed canopy.

There is no traditional nose cone, as the nose is open to allow the single-engine armature to breathe. The landing gear is fully retractable and consists of two single-wheel main legs and a single-wheel front leg.

Chinese production has enabled Chengdu to sell versions of their aircraft to budget buyers around the world, and many parties have accepted Chinese offers. This type has proven very popular in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, where it finally provides a powerful interceptor with additional strike capability at cost.

Advances in the J-7 line contributed to the type's effectiveness, although it was almost always a decade or so behind its Western competitors.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1980

Origins

China

Status

Active.

Crew

Production

2,450

Manufacturer

Shenyang / Chengdu / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) China

Operators

Albania; Bangladesh; China; Egypt; Iran; Iraq; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nigeria; North Korea; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tanzania; Yemen; Zimbabwe[/p ]

ROLES

Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Intercept

The ability to intercept incoming airborne threats with high performance, usually speed and rate of climb.

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Countermeasures

Onboard electronic or physical countermeasures by aircraft or pilot/crew to enhance survivability.

wing sweep

The main plane or leading edge features retract lines for improved high-speed performance and handling.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Pilot/crew ejection system

Auxiliary procedures to allow pilot and/or crew ejection in the event of an air emergency.

Depression in crew members

Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS

Length

48. 8 ft

(14. 88 m)

Width/Span

27. 3 ft

(8. 32 m)

Height

13. 5 ft

(4. 11 m)

Empty Wgt

11,684 lb

(5,300 kg)

MTOW

20,062 lb

(9,100 kg)

Wgt Diff

+8,378 lb

(+3,800 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

monoplane / mid-mounted / delta, tailed

Monoplane

Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.

Mid-Mounted

Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.

Delta, Tailed

The delta planform features a conventional tailplane arrangement which enhances control.

(Structural descriptors pertain to the Chengdu J-7 / F-7 production variant)

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Installed:

1 x Liyang WP-13F afterburning turbojet engine developing 9,900lb of thrust dry and 14,550 lb of thrust with reheat.

Max Speed

1,367 mph

(2,200 kph | 1,188 kts)

Cruise Speed

1,134 mph

(1,825 kph | 985 kts)

Maximum Speed Diff

+233 mph

(+375 kph | 202 kts)

Ceiling

57,415 ft

(17,500 m | 11 mi)

Range

1,367 mi

(2,200 km | 4,074 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

38,400 ft/min

(11,704 m/min)

ARMAMENT

STANDARD:1 OR 2 x 30mm Type 30-1 internal cannons (depending on production model). OPTIONAL:Air-to-air and air-to-surface external ordnance across two or four underwing hardpoints. Munitions include air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground rocket pods, and conventional drop bombs.

Also provision for jettisonable fuel drop tanks for increased operating ranges.

VARIANTS

J-7 ("Fishcan") - Base Series Designation; original production versions; 12 examples completed by Shengyang; 1 x 30mm cannon. J-7I - Improved J-7; production by Chengdu; 2 x 30mm cannons; 2 x underwing hardpoints. J-7I (Modified) - Improved hydraulics system.

J-7II - Improved J-7I model; 2 x 30mm cannons; WP-7B engine. J-7IIA - Improved J-7II; outfitted with Western-centric avionics suite; HUD. J-7IIM - Modernization to F-7M standard. J-7IIH - Improved J-7II; improved strike capability; MFD; support for PL-8 AA missile. J-7IIK - Modernization to J-7MP standard.

J-7III - MiG-21MF copy; JL-7 fire control radar; modern avionics; WP-13 engine. J-7B - Revised canopy design. J-7BS - 4 x underwing hardpoints. J-7E - Improved J-7II of late 1980s; double-delta wing assemblies; WF-13F engine; Super Skyranger radar facility; HOTAS. J-7EB - Acrobatic variant for public displays.

J-7EH - Maritime patrol variant with support for anti-ship ordnance. J-7FS - Technology Demonstrator. J-7G - Improved J-7E; new KLJ-6E PD radar facility; improved engine performance; helmet-mounted sights; 1 x 30mm cannon. J-7G2 - Improved J-7G with advanced radar facility.

J-7GB - Acrobatic variant for public display. J-7M - Technology Demonstrator. J-7MF - Proposed modernized J-7FS; underfuselage intake; positional wing canards. J-7MG - Proposed export model to Western-aligned customers; outfitted with Super Skyranger adar; Martin-Baker ejection seat.

J-7MP - Upgraded J-7MG models; AIM-9 Siewinder capability. J-7PG - Outfitted with Italian radar facility. JJ-7 - Twin-seat trainer mount by Guizhou. JJ-7I - MiG-21US twin-seat trainer. JJ-7II - JJ-7I outfitted with Rockwell Collins avionics suite.

JL-9 (FTC-2000) - Modern twin-seat trainer based on JJ-7 by GAIC. JZ-7 - J-7 reconnaissance mount. J-7 (Drone) - J-7I-based unmanned drones. F-7II - Export J-7IIA. F-7IIN - Zimbabwe F-7M models. F-7III - Export J-7III. J-7IIIA - Improved F-7III for export. F-7A - Albania and Tanzania export models. F-7B - J-7II export model. F-7BG - Bangladesh export model. F-7BG1 - Upgraded Bangladesh export model. F-7BS - J-7BS export model. F-7D - J-7IIIA export model. F-7M "Airguard" - Improved J-7II for export; Western equipment and avionics. F-7MB - Bangldesh export model. F-7MF - Proposed J-7MF export model with Italian radar. F-7MG - J-7MG export model. F-7MP - J-7MP export model. F-7N - Iranian F-7MP export model. F-7Ni - Nigerian Air Force export model. F-7P - Modernized Pakistani Air Force export model. F-7PG - Pakistani Air Force export model. F-7W - J-7 export model with HUD. FT-7 - JJ-7 export model. FT-7A - MiG-21U export conversion package. FT-7B - JJ-7II export trainer model. FT-7M - F-7M trainer for export. FT-7P - F-7MP/F-7P trainer for export. FT-7PG - FT-7 trainer for export. F-7S "Saber II" - Proposed Grumman revision of F-7M for Pakistani Air Force; cancelled. F-7 "Super-7" - British-originated upgrade program.