 FT-7P Mongol
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FT-7P is the export version of JJ-7 advanced trainer (similar to Mig-21US but
with a smaller veritcal tailfin and twin ventral stabilizing fins). Developed by Guizhou Aircraft
Industrial Corporaion (GAIC) in 1990, it was modified specifically for PAF (HUD, air data computer,
BM/KJ 8602 RWR, twin 23mm cannon and five hard points) in order to provide pilot training for the single
seat F-7P light fighters which were produced by CAC. Compared to JJ-7, FT-7P has the fuselage
stretched by 610mm to create space for additional fuel tank and an internal gun. The maximum take-off
weight has been increased to 9,550kg and internal fuel capacity to 2,800l. A similar upgraded version
for PLAAF was also developed as JJ-7A (FT-7A).
With the delivery of the new F-7PGs to PAF, a complementary version dubbed FT-7PG featuring upgraded avonics is currently under development
at GAIC. Its prototype first flew in March 2002. 6 FT-7PGs were ordered by PAF.
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JL-8/K-8 Karakorum 
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Three JL-8 intermediate trainer/light attack
aircraft were preparing for a night training mission. These are in service at the PLAAF flight academies,
replacing the obsolete JJ-5 (serial numbers 74x8x, 63x4x). They were originally destined for Pakistani
Air Force but then the order was cancelled after PAF decided to upgrade their aging T-37s instead. K-8 was developed jointly by Hongdu Aviation Industrial
Group (HAIC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in the late 80s with Pakistan providing 25% of
the funding, and the aircraft was named after the mountain lying between the two countries. It has max
TO weight of 4,332kg, max speed 800km/h, max range 2,140km and ceiling 13,600m. So far 32 K-8s
were exported. Among them 6 were delivered to PAF in 1994 by HAIC. More
K-8s are expected to be delivered to PAF after assembled at PAC since 2002. However due to the
US embargo on AlliedSignal TFE731-2A turbofan which powers K-8, the domestic JL-8, which is currently in small batch production, is powered by
either a Ukrainian AI-25TL turbofan, or a locally designed WS-11 (an AI-25TL
clone, 16.87kN thrust). The export version generally has more western equipment such as Martin Baker MK10L
ejection seat and Collins EFTS-86 MFD and is able to carry PL-7 AAMs and a 23mm gun pod for air defence role.
Besides Pakistan, Myanmar purcharsed 12, and Sri Lanka purchased 6 (3 already lost during a recent anti-government guerrilla attack). Some
African countries also ordered or have bought K-8, including Zambia
(8) and Namibia (4). The real breakthrough came when Eygpt decided to locally produce 80 K-8Es to
replace her L-29 intermediate trainer, in a $345 million deal which becomes a big boost to Hongdu's
export effort in the competitive international market. The first two Egyptian K-8Es rolled out of the assembly line in late June 2001, carrying a 23mm
gunpod under the fuselage and powered by an AlliedSignal engine. 45 K-8E kits had been delieved to
Egypt by October 2002.
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L-15
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Displayed for the 2nd time at the 4th Zhuhai Airshow in November 2002, L-15 is an advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) being developed
by Hongdu to support the new generation of Chinese fighters such as J-10 and J-11.
Consequently advanced features such as glass cockpit, HOTAS
control and digital FBW are expected to be standard. The twin-engined aircraft is expected to be
powered by two WS-11 turbofans which will give it a decent maneuverability and reliability. In addition,
large leading edge extentions (LEX) similar to those on Russian Yak-130 advanced trainer as well as a
large vertical tailfin are believed to give the aircraft a high angle of attack (AOA), which will be
useful in simulating certain high-AOA maneuvers of J-10 and J-11.
In addition, L-15 can also be converted into light ground
attack role if needed. Some specifications of L-15: normal TO weight 6,500kg, max TO weight
9,500kg, max speed 1.4 Mach, max climb rate 150m/s, g-load +8/-3, ceiling 16,000m, loitering time
2 hr. It is still unclear whether PLAAF has chosen the aircraft as its next generation figher triner.
However the revealing of L-15 in its early design stage suggests that Hongdu intends to
promote the aircraft in the international market. Encouraged by the export success of K-8
intermediate trainer, L-15 is expected to be in a stronger position compared to GAIC's less
advanced FTC-2000. The first flight of L-15 could occur in the 2-3 years.
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FTC-2000
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A full-scale wood model of FTC-2000 (Fighter Trainer Export-2000) advanced
lead-in fighter trainer was displayed by GAIC (Guizhou Aviation Industrial Corporation) at the
4th Zhuhai Airshow. The aircraft appears to have evolved from the earlier JJ-7/FT-7 design of the same
company. However several new features were added including a solid nose housing a modern fire-control
radar (Grifo S7), FC-1 style costal side air intakes, double delta wings (no leading edge flaps),
digital avionics (HUD + MFDs, RWR, ECM, 1553B databus, INS/GPS,
air data computer) and a fixed IFR probe. New stepped tandem cockpits and a one-piece windshield give
both instructor and student better forward views when compared with JJ-7/FT-7. However the same WP series
turbojet engine (WP-13F(C), max trust 4,400kg, 6,450kg with afterburner) is retained in order to save
cost. Its control system is mechenical rather than FBW, again in order to save cost. This suggests FTC-2000 could only offer a limited improvement
in performance (such as a longer range and a better low altitude/low speed performance) compared to its
predecessor. If it enters service with PLAAF, it would replace JJ-7 for the training of J-8D pilots,
or even FC-1 pilots. However it is in a sense obsolete regarding to the training of J-10
pilots. The designation of the aircraft suggests it is also aimed at the international market for
countries who already operate FT-7s (such as Pakistan, for FC-1). FTC-2000 is facing some
competition from Hongdu's L-15 which is technologically more advanced thus more expensive.
A prototype of FTC-2000 is expected to fly in 2003. Some specifications: normal TO weight 7,800kg,
max TO weight 9,800kg, max speed 1.6 Mach, max load 8g, ceiling 16,000m, max climb rate 260m/s,
ferry range 2,500km.
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Home
FT-7P is the export version of JJ-7 advanced trainer (similar to Mig-21US but
with a smaller veritcal tailfin and twin ventral stabilizing fins). Developed by Guizhou Aircraft
Industrial Corporaion (GAIC) in 1990, it was modified specifically for PAF (HUD, air data computer,
BM/KJ 8602 RWR, twin 23mm cannon and five hard points) in order to provide pilot training for the single
seat F-7P light fighters which were produced by CAC. Compared to JJ-7, FT-7P has the fuselage
stretched by 610mm to create space for additional fuel tank and an internal gun. The maximum take-off
weight has been increased to 9,550kg and internal fuel capacity to 2,800l. A similar upgraded version
for PLAAF was also developed as JJ-7A (FT-7A).
With the delivery of the new F-7PGs to PAF, a complementary version dubbed FT-7PG featuring upgraded avonics is currently under development
at GAIC. Its prototype first flew in March 2002. 6 FT-7PGs were ordered by PAF.
Three JL-8 intermediate trainer/light attack
aircraft were preparing for a night training mission. These are in service at the PLAAF flight academies,
replacing the obsolete JJ-5 (serial numbers 74x8x, 63x4x). They were originally destined for Pakistani
Air Force but then the order was cancelled after PAF decided to upgrade their aging T-37s instead. K-8 was developed jointly by Hongdu Aviation Industrial
Group (HAIC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in the late 80s with Pakistan providing 25% of
the funding, and the aircraft was named after the mountain lying between the two countries. It has max
TO weight of 4,332kg, max speed 800km/h, max range 2,140km and ceiling 13,600m. So far 32 K-8s
were exported. Among them 6 were delivered to PAF in 1994 by HAIC. More
K-8s are expected to be delivered to PAF after assembled at PAC since 2002. However due to the
US embargo on AlliedSignal TFE731-2A turbofan which powers K-8, the domestic JL-8, which is currently in small batch production, is powered by
either a Ukrainian AI-25TL turbofan, or a locally designed WS-11 (an AI-25TL
clone, 16.87kN thrust). The export version generally has more western equipment such as Martin Baker MK10L
ejection seat and Collins EFTS-86 MFD and is able to carry PL-7 AAMs and a 23mm gun pod for air defence role.
Besides Pakistan, Myanmar purcharsed 12, and Sri Lanka purchased 6 (3 already lost during a recent anti-government guerrilla attack). Some
African countries also ordered or have bought K-8, including Zambia
(8) and Namibia (4). The real breakthrough came when Eygpt decided to locally produce 80 K-8Es to
replace her L-29 intermediate trainer, in a $345 million deal which becomes a big boost to Hongdu's
export effort in the competitive international market. The first two Egyptian K-8Es rolled out of the assembly line in late June 2001, carrying a 23mm
gunpod under the fuselage and powered by an AlliedSignal engine. 45 K-8E kits had been delieved to
Egypt by October 2002.
Displayed for the 2nd time at the 4th Zhuhai Airshow in November 2002, L-15 is an advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) being developed
by Hongdu to support the new generation of Chinese fighters such as J-10 and J-11.
Consequently advanced features such as glass cockpit, HOTAS
control and digital FBW are expected to be standard. The twin-engined aircraft is expected to be
powered by two WS-11 turbofans which will give it a decent maneuverability and reliability. In addition,
large leading edge extentions (LEX) similar to those on Russian Yak-130 advanced trainer as well as a
large vertical tailfin are believed to give the aircraft a high angle of attack (AOA), which will be
useful in simulating certain high-AOA maneuvers of J-10 and J-11.
In addition, L-15 can also be converted into light ground
attack role if needed. Some specifications of L-15: normal TO weight 6,500kg, max TO weight
9,500kg, max speed 1.4 Mach, max climb rate 150m/s, g-load +8/-3, ceiling 16,000m, loitering time
2 hr. It is still unclear whether PLAAF has chosen the aircraft as its next generation figher triner.
However the revealing of L-15 in its early design stage suggests that Hongdu intends to
promote the aircraft in the international market. Encouraged by the export success of K-8
intermediate trainer, L-15 is expected to be in a stronger position compared to GAIC's less
advanced FTC-2000. The first flight of L-15 could occur in the 2-3 years.
A full-scale wood model of FTC-2000 (Fighter Trainer Export-2000) advanced
lead-in fighter trainer was displayed by GAIC (Guizhou Aviation Industrial Corporation) at the
4th Zhuhai Airshow. The aircraft appears to have evolved from the earlier JJ-7/FT-7 design of the same
company. However several new features were added including a solid nose housing a modern fire-control
radar (Grifo S7), FC-1 style costal side air intakes, double delta wings (no leading edge flaps),
digital avionics (HUD + MFDs, RWR, ECM, 1553B databus, INS/GPS,
air data computer) and a fixed IFR probe. New stepped tandem cockpits and a one-piece windshield give
both instructor and student better forward views when compared with JJ-7/FT-7. However the same WP series
turbojet engine (WP-13F(C), max trust 4,400kg, 6,450kg with afterburner) is retained in order to save
cost. Its control system is mechenical rather than FBW, again in order to save cost. This suggests FTC-2000 could only offer a limited improvement
in performance (such as a longer range and a better low altitude/low speed performance) compared to its
predecessor. If it enters service with PLAAF, it would replace JJ-7 for the training of J-8D pilots,
or even FC-1 pilots. However it is in a sense obsolete regarding to the training of J-10
pilots. The designation of the aircraft suggests it is also aimed at the international market for
countries who already operate FT-7s (such as Pakistan, for FC-1). FTC-2000 is facing some
competition from Hongdu's L-15 which is technologically more advanced thus more expensive.
A prototype of FTC-2000 is expected to fly in 2003. Some specifications: normal TO weight 7,800kg,
max TO weight 9,800kg, max speed 1.6 Mach, max load 8g, ceiling 16,000m, max climb rate 260m/s,
ferry range 2,500km.
