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Guizhou (AVIC) JL-9 Shanying (FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle)

2014 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

China, once completely reliant on Soviet/Russian-inspired jet trainers, has since developed the indigenous JL-9 through its Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (Guizhou) Aero Engine Research Institute. The aircraft - also known as the FTC-2000 "Mountain Eagle" ("Mountain Eagle") - made its maiden flight on December 13, 2003 and is currently undergoing the required flight test program with limited production in progress (as of 2013). The two-seat trainer/light attack platform is intended for quantitative deployment by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

This model is also expected to be available for export customers and will feature Western electronics under the Guizhou Aviation Industry Import and Export Corporation (GAIIEC) brand label. PLANAF recognizes the JL-9 under the designation "JL-9G", a navalized platform (anti-corrosion coating, hook) dedicated to water operations.

Interestingly, the arrival of the JL-9 also coincided with China's acquisition of its first aircraft carrier, which alerted regional neighbors and sparked a modern Asia-Pacific arms race.

The premium trainer/light attack aircraft market is a proven niche globally, providing mature and growing Air Forces with powerful jet trainers suitable for a new generation of fighter pilots, while retaining sufficient Combat qualities, can be deployed in limited frontline, low-level attacking roles. In this way, the group type serves the world's budget-conscious air power well. The JL-9 was specially designed in Guizhou to meet the requirements of the PLA Air Force, with a focus on replacing the aging Guizhou JJ-7 line - a MiG-21 trainer based on the well-established Chengdu J-7 combat series. In particular, this model was developed as a stepping stone for the command of new pilots of a new generation of fighter jets that the Chinese military is procuring.

Design work on the JL-9 began at the turn of the century and culminated in 2006 when the first aircraft were delivered. The aircraft was officially unveiled to the public in 2011.

Given the experience of operating and producing Soviet-Russian fighter jets, it is not surprising that the JL-9 was at least partly inspired by the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "fish bed" of the 1960s. Similarities lie in the shape of the dorsal and caudal fins, as well as the use of a raised fuselage spine, ventral struts, and short truncated main wing attachments. The fuselage is tubular with plate-like sides and the front is significantly sloped along its topline, providing excellent visibility to the nose assembly through an integral light-frame canopy. The canopy covers the two pilots sitting side by side - the student pilot in the front row and the instructor in the rear row, and the cockpit is slightly elevated.

It uses a single turbofan engine that draws air through two small semi-circular air intakes mounted on either side of the cockpit's outer wall. The fuselage received a raised spine, allowing for increased storage of internal fuel, avionics and applicable systems, in the wings for the single-wheel main landing gear legs (retracted inward towards the centerline) and additional fuel storage ("Wet Wings").

The front of the fuselage is supported by a single wheel nose landing gear that retracts forward. The main wing attachment has two different sections swept along the leading edge. The trailing edge is straight. Each wing has a pair of hardpoints for externally mounted ammunition.

The tail includes a large area single vertical tail and a pair of low-level horizontal front fuselage. The right side of the fuselage is added to the right side of the fuselage for longer range.

Composite materials are used throughout the JL- The 9's construction creates a lightweight and sturdy body that opens up.

Avionics kit includes FIAR Grifo S7 series pulse Doppler radar from Italy (for export models) installed in the nose assembly. The cockpit is completely modern, with two full-color Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) in the front cockpit and three in the rear. The traditional joystick is placed between each pilot's legs, and the throttle control is mounted on the left side of the cockpit bulkhead.

Computers help with aircraft and data processing during flight, while navigation relies on GPS and inertia. The Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is integrated as part of electronic countermeasures, providing aircrews with the information they need to develop a potentially lifesaving response to a launched enemy missile or tracking radar.

Dimensionally, the JL-9 measures 47 feet, 9 inches in length, with a wingspan of 27 feet, 3.5 inches, and a height of 13 feet, 5.5 inches. Weights include an empty list of 11,000 lbs and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) value of 21,600 lbs. Power is provided by 1 Guizhou Liyang WP-13F(C) turbojet, which provides afterburner (reheating) to increase speed thrust (at the expense of increased fuel consumption). Dry thrust is 9,900 pounds, while the afterburner increases power to 14,650 pounds.

Maximum airframe speed is Mach 1.5, while cruising speed is 1,100 km/h. The aircraft has a range of 1,000 miles and can fly at altitudes of up to 52,500 feet (16,000 meters).

In terms of armament, the JL-9 is equipped with the basic 23mm 23-1 series internal cannon. Including the four underwing hardpoints mentioned above, as well as a midline hardpoint. The aircraft supports a variety of operational air-to-air and air-to-surface guided/homing missiles and precision-guided munitions, as well as conventionally dropped bombs and unguided rockets (the latter launched via pods).

Both the centerline under the wing and the innermost mounting point are for the fuel tank.

The JL-9 is considered a competitor to the American Northrop T-38 Talon, the Italian Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master and the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.