 Q-5D Fantan
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Q-5D (serial # 23x9x) is a new variant of the vintage Q-5 series attack
aircraft equipped with an improved fire-control system. The system is centered around a new optical instrument compartment in front of the nosewheel compartment
with rectangular glass windows facing downward. This compartment may contain a laser range-finder
(ALR-1?) and other types of seach and track devices such as a low-light TV camera or a thermal
imaging camrea, giving Q-5D a day and night, all weather attack capability. It appears that
the windows can be covered when the devices inside are not operating. Some other improvements of
Q-5D include HUD, GPS/INS, RWR, ballistic computer, TACAN, chaff/flare launcher, as well
as a new antenna of unknown purpose underneath the nose tip. The aircraft also has a longer range
and can carry more types of unguided bombs. It was reported that the latest variant (Q-5E/F)
currently in limited service with PLAAF is equipped with the new FLIR/LT (laser targeting) pod
capable of delivering two LS-500J 500kg LGBs (range 12km?). No further
variants are thought to be under development after the passing away of its chief designer in 2001.
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JH-7/FBC-1 Flounder/Flying Leopard
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This tandem-seat fighter bomber in the same of class of Tornado and Su-24
(max TO weight 60,439lb, weapon load 6,500kg, max speed Mach 1.7, ferry range 3,650km, combat
radius 1,650km) entered limited service with PLA naval aviation in 1994, replacing old Il-28
torpedo bombers. Designed by Xian Aircraft Design Institute (603 Institute) and built by Xian
Aircraft Company (XAC), the JH-7 prototype first
flew in December 1988. But it did not complete the development until late 1996 after successfully
test-firing YJ-8/C-801K ASM (before that one prototype actually crashed and two test pilots
were killed due to engine failure). Its standard mission is anti-ship,
where it carries 2 (up to 4) YJ-8 ASMs under the wing plus two wingtip PL-5B AAMs and a twin 23mm
cannon (200 rounds) for self-defense. It can also carry rocket pods or up to 20 250kg free-fall bombs
for ground attack mission. The aircraft is equipped with a complete set
of avionics which reportedly suffers a high malfunction rate. Its flight control system consists of
232H Eagle Eye multi-role PD radar, triplex digital-analog autopilot, 8145 air-data computer,
WG-5A radio altimeter, 210 Doppler navigational system and HZX-1B "stabilizing" system; EW suite
includes RW1045 RWR, 960-2 noise jamming system, and 914-4G passive jamming system. JH-7 was
first revealed on TV during the naval exercise in October 1995. However due to its 1970's design as
well as two underpowered Rolls-Royce Spey MK202/WS-9 turbofans (20,515lb
with afterburning), it was rejected by PLAAF who is in favor of Su-30MKK and has become the
first dedicated maritime attack aircraft for PLA Naval Aviation. All pre-production JH-7s
(around 18) are believed to be stationed at Dachang Airbase near Shanghai. Nonetheless, engineers at
603 Institute are still making various improvements on JH-7 which inlcude the new JL-10A PD multi-mode radar, new Blue
Sky low altitude navigational pod (comparable to American LANTIRN system), HMS, digital FBW
system, one-piece windshield, two additional underwing hardpoints, new databus and INS/GPS. The result
is the upgraded JH-7A (see below), capable of delivering a variety of PGMs and stand-off missiles,
including Kh-31/KR-1 ASM. It was reported that WS-9 would be replaced by Russian AL-31F turbofan but
the plan was later abandoned due to its high cost. Its export version is dubbed FBC-1
(Fighter/Bomber Export-1), which was revealed at Zhuhai International Airshow in November 1998 using
the #083 prototype owned by China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) -- the same aircraft which
has been involved in tests of various new flight instruments and weapon systems. The future of
FBC-1 is far from certain. It may be too old and too heavy to find any customers, foreign or
domestic. The latest news indicated that PLAN are planning to take dozens of upgraded JH-7s
powered by additional second-hand Sprey MK202 turbofan engines supplied by Rolls-Royce. The first
batch of 10 first flew in September 2001 at XAC.
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JH-7A Flouder/Flying Leopard II 
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The long rumored JH-7A fighter bomber has finally been confirmed by this photo.
Shown as a full-scale mockup, this improved variant of JH-7 was seen carrying a full range of
air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon load, relecting its enhanced capability of launching precision strikes
using anti-radiaton missiles and LGBs. The precision strike capability is believed to be a major requirement
JH-7A has to meet in order to attract orders from PLAAF. This capability is thought to be achieved by
the JL-10A (AG?) multi-mode PD radar integrated into a new fire-control system. A new digital FBW system also
gives it a true terrian-following capability over the land. The aircraft features a one-piece windshield and
a tandem glass cockpit. It also has new wings and horizontal
stabilizers which incorporate composite materials and have the 1950 style wing fences deleted. As the result,
a few hundred kilograms of weight has been eliminated. The engines are believed to be the indigenous WS-9
turbofans which replace the original R&R Spey MK202s. The aircarft has a total of 11 hardpoints, 6 underwing,
2 wingtip, 2 under the engine intakes and 1 under the fuselage. The weapons carried under the starboard wing
are (from outboard to inboard): PL-5, PL-8 (for self-defense) and YJ-91/Kh-31P, YJ-8K (for air-to-surface
attack). 3 unguided bombs are laid on the floor under the racks as the alternative weapon load: 1 500kg bomb
will replace YJ-91 and the other 2 250kg bombs will replace YJ-8K. The weapons carried under the port wing are
(from outboard to inboard): PL-5, PL-8 and LGB. An instrument pod (Russian AKR-8?) is seen carried under the
starboard engine intake which will provide enemy radar emission parameters to the Kh-31P anti-radiation
missile. A laser designation pod may be on the other side of the fuselage to designate targets for the LGBs.
The first JH-7A prototype was rumored to have flown in July 2002 and will hopefully enter the service
first with PLAN in the next 2-3 years. It is still uncertain whether JH-7A has attracted any order
from PLAAF or not as the later favors Su-30MKK more.
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H-6D Badger
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H-6D was derived from Tu-16 intermediate stretagic bomber as a large
naval missile launch platform specifically to carry the massive YJ-6L ASM (C-601, range 120km at
Mach 0.8, HY-2 as the land-based version), powered by a liquid fuel rocket. This variant entered
the service in the mid-80's with PLA Naval Aviation (serial numbers 81x2x, 82x3x) and 4 were
exported to Iraq soon after as B-6D, painted in a dark green
color scheme. Its cruise speed is 786km/h, range 4,300km, combat radius 1,800km, ceiling 12,000m,
max weapon load 9t. The aircraft features a large search and track radar (Type 245) mounted in the
chin radome which provides the target coordinates for the missile. All WWII style 23mm self-defense
guns were removed and the bomber relies entirely on its onboard ECM system or escort fighters for
protection. Recently it was revealed that YJ-6L ASM is being replaced by the improved YJ-61 (C-611)
ASM with a increased range of 200km. Like the original H-6, its internal bombbay is retained and the
aircraft could be modified to launch ALCMs in the future. Following Russia's rejection to sell any
Tu-22M3 bomber to China, it remains to be seen when and where PLAAF and PLAN are going to look for
a replacement for this obsolescent strategic bomber.
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H-6E Badger
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H-6E is the second generation of H-6
intermediate bomber which has made some improvements over the original H-6A/Tu-16. This variant (serial
number 50x7x) is distinguished by its light gray low-visibility color scheme, and the removal of 23mm
nose cannon on the starboard side. In addition, improved bombing and navigational systems as well as
new ECM/ESM systems are believed to have been installed. It is likely that two WP-8 turbojets are also
the upgraded version as well. Nevertheless, soon after it entered the service in the 80s, H-6E
has fastly become obsolete in any modern combat environment, as it still performs WWII style level
bombing missions instead of launching stand-off ASMs outside enemy air-defense perimeter. The latest
news suggests that Chinese are converting H-6E into LACM launch platform (H-6H?). Each
will be able to carry 2-4 large YJ-63 TV-guided LACMs which features a 500kg warhead and has a range of
150+km. If the project is successful, it would extend the life of this 50 year old design well into the
21st century.
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Su-30MKK Flanker
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A $1.85 billion contract was signed by Chinese and Russian military leaders
in late 1999 to purchase 38 Su-30MKK fighter bombers for
PLAAF, with the first batch of 10 delivered by KNAAPO on December 20, 2000, and the second batch
of 10 delivered on August 21, 2001. The rest of the aircraft
were believed to have been delivered by the end of 2001. More advanced and powerful than JH-7
operated by PLAN, Su-30MKK will become the first fighter
bomber operated by PLAAF capable of carrying a wide range of Russian-made precision-guided air-to-surface weapons including TV guided missiles (Kh-29T &
Kh-59MK), anti-ship missiles (Kh-31A), anti-radiation missiles (Kh-31P) and TV guided bombs (KAB-500KR),
in addition to the wingtip ECM pods. Oddly no laser-guided missiles/bombs or laser designator pods have
been found included in the contract. Its maximum weapon load is 8 ton. Its range can be extended up to
5,200km by inflight refueling, even though China currently does not have a suitable tanker (e.g. Il-78)
yet. As the result, it is expected to replace some of the roles of H-6 medium bomber to launch
long range strikes against high value targets deep inside the enemy territory. The aircraft features the
new N001VE fire-control radar (range 100km, engage 2 targets simultaneously) capable of firing
R-77E/R-129 active radar homing AAMs, 100 of which are to be delivered under a separate contract. The
first test fire of R-77 by Su-30MKK already occurred in June 2002 over the South China Sea. It
also features Su-35 style tailfins with square tips and twin nosewheels. It was reported that the
aircraft also retains the capability (datalink?) as an airborne command post to direct Su-27s to
engage enemy aircraft, but this has not been confirmed. Unlike Su-30MKI being acquired by IAF, it lacks
canard foreplanes, AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engine (Su-30MKK still uses AL-31F) and N-011M
phased-array radar, however its delivery schedule is two and half years faster (in full standard). The
acquisition of this F-15E class fighter bomber by PLAAF would inevitably tip the military balance in the
North East Asia. Currently the first two batches of Su-30MKKs are stationed at Wuhu
Airbase in Southeast China, directly facing Taiwan and the South China Sea, while the 3rd batch has been assigned to the PLAAF Flight Test & Training Center.
In July 2001 China ordered another batch (38) of Su-30MKK worth $1.5 billion during Chinese
President's visit to Moscow. Currently this batch are being manufactured at KnAAPO and the delivery
continues till 2003. The latest news indicated that China ordered a new batch of 38 Su-30MK2 for
PLA Naval Aviation in May 2002. The aircraft will feature with a new Phazotron Zhuk-MS fire control radar
(range 140km, simultaneously engage 4 targets) and is capable of launching the supersonic Kh-31A AShMs in
naval strike role. The delivery schedule of Su-30MK2 is expected to be 2003-04. There was a rumor
that SAC plans to assemble Su-30MKKs (as J-13?) locally in the next few years, but this has not
been confirmed.
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Home
Q-5D (serial # 23x9x) is a new variant of the vintage Q-5 series attack
aircraft equipped with an improved fire-control system. The system is centered around a new optical instrument compartment in front of the nosewheel compartment
with rectangular glass windows facing downward. This compartment may contain a laser range-finder
(ALR-1?) and other types of seach and track devices such as a low-light TV camera or a thermal
imaging camrea, giving Q-5D a day and night, all weather attack capability. It appears that
the windows can be covered when the devices inside are not operating. Some other improvements of
Q-5D include HUD, GPS/INS, RWR, ballistic computer, TACAN, chaff/flare launcher, as well
as a new antenna of unknown purpose underneath the nose tip. The aircraft also has a longer range
and can carry more types of unguided bombs. It was reported that the latest variant (Q-5E/F)
currently in limited service with PLAAF is equipped with the new FLIR/LT (laser targeting) pod
capable of delivering two LS-500J 500kg LGBs (range 12km?). No further
variants are thought to be under development after the passing away of its chief designer in 2001.
This tandem-seat fighter bomber in the same of class of Tornado and Su-24
(max TO weight 60,439lb, weapon load 6,500kg, max speed Mach 1.7, ferry range 3,650km, combat
radius 1,650km) entered limited service with PLA naval aviation in 1994, replacing old Il-28
torpedo bombers. Designed by Xian Aircraft Design Institute (603 Institute) and built by Xian
Aircraft Company (XAC), the JH-7 prototype first
flew in December 1988. But it did not complete the development until late 1996 after successfully
test-firing YJ-8/C-801K ASM (before that one prototype actually crashed and two test pilots
were killed due to engine failure). Its standard mission is anti-ship,
where it carries 2 (up to 4) YJ-8 ASMs under the wing plus two wingtip PL-5B AAMs and a twin 23mm
cannon (200 rounds) for self-defense. It can also carry rocket pods or up to 20 250kg free-fall bombs
for ground attack mission. The aircraft is equipped with a complete set
of avionics which reportedly suffers a high malfunction rate. Its flight control system consists of
232H Eagle Eye multi-role PD radar, triplex digital-analog autopilot, 8145 air-data computer,
WG-5A radio altimeter, 210 Doppler navigational system and HZX-1B "stabilizing" system; EW suite
includes RW1045 RWR, 960-2 noise jamming system, and 914-4G passive jamming system. JH-7 was
first revealed on TV during the naval exercise in October 1995. However due to its 1970's design as
well as two underpowered Rolls-Royce Spey MK202/WS-9 turbofans (20,515lb
with afterburning), it was rejected by PLAAF who is in favor of Su-30MKK and has become the
first dedicated maritime attack aircraft for PLA Naval Aviation. All pre-production JH-7s
(around 18) are believed to be stationed at Dachang Airbase near Shanghai. Nonetheless, engineers at
603 Institute are still making various improvements on JH-7 which inlcude the new JL-10A PD multi-mode radar, new Blue
Sky low altitude navigational pod (comparable to American LANTIRN system), HMS, digital FBW
system, one-piece windshield, two additional underwing hardpoints, new databus and INS/GPS. The result
is the upgraded JH-7A (see below), capable of delivering a variety of PGMs and stand-off missiles,
including Kh-31/KR-1 ASM. It was reported that WS-9 would be replaced by Russian AL-31F turbofan but
the plan was later abandoned due to its high cost. Its export version is dubbed FBC-1
(Fighter/Bomber Export-1), which was revealed at Zhuhai International Airshow in November 1998 using
the #083 prototype owned by China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) -- the same aircraft which
has been involved in tests of various new flight instruments and weapon systems. The future of
FBC-1 is far from certain. It may be too old and too heavy to find any customers, foreign or
domestic. The latest news indicated that PLAN are planning to take dozens of upgraded JH-7s
powered by additional second-hand Sprey MK202 turbofan engines supplied by Rolls-Royce. The first
batch of 10 first flew in September 2001 at XAC.
The long rumored JH-7A fighter bomber has finally been confirmed by this photo.
Shown as a full-scale mockup, this improved variant of JH-7 was seen carrying a full range of
air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon load, relecting its enhanced capability of launching precision strikes
using anti-radiaton missiles and LGBs. The precision strike capability is believed to be a major requirement
JH-7A has to meet in order to attract orders from PLAAF. This capability is thought to be achieved by
the JL-10A (AG?) multi-mode PD radar integrated into a new fire-control system. A new digital FBW system also
gives it a true terrian-following capability over the land. The aircraft features a one-piece windshield and
a tandem glass cockpit. It also has new wings and horizontal
stabilizers which incorporate composite materials and have the 1950 style wing fences deleted. As the result,
a few hundred kilograms of weight has been eliminated. The engines are believed to be the indigenous WS-9
turbofans which replace the original R&R Spey MK202s. The aircarft has a total of 11 hardpoints, 6 underwing,
2 wingtip, 2 under the engine intakes and 1 under the fuselage. The weapons carried under the starboard wing
are (from outboard to inboard): PL-5, PL-8 (for self-defense) and YJ-91/Kh-31P, YJ-8K (for air-to-surface
attack). 3 unguided bombs are laid on the floor under the racks as the alternative weapon load: 1 500kg bomb
will replace YJ-91 and the other 2 250kg bombs will replace YJ-8K. The weapons carried under the port wing are
(from outboard to inboard): PL-5, PL-8 and LGB. An instrument pod (Russian AKR-8?) is seen carried under the
starboard engine intake which will provide enemy radar emission parameters to the Kh-31P anti-radiation
missile. A laser designation pod may be on the other side of the fuselage to designate targets for the LGBs.
The first JH-7A prototype was rumored to have flown in July 2002 and will hopefully enter the service
first with PLAN in the next 2-3 years. It is still uncertain whether JH-7A has attracted any order
from PLAAF or not as the later favors Su-30MKK more.
H-6D was derived from Tu-16 intermediate stretagic bomber as a large
naval missile launch platform specifically to carry the massive YJ-6L ASM (C-601, range 120km at
Mach 0.8, HY-2 as the land-based version), powered by a liquid fuel rocket. This variant entered
the service in the mid-80's with PLA Naval Aviation (serial numbers 81x2x, 82x3x) and 4 were
exported to Iraq soon after as B-6D, painted in a dark green
color scheme. Its cruise speed is 786km/h, range 4,300km, combat radius 1,800km, ceiling 12,000m,
max weapon load 9t. The aircraft features a large search and track radar (Type 245) mounted in the
chin radome which provides the target coordinates for the missile. All WWII style 23mm self-defense
guns were removed and the bomber relies entirely on its onboard ECM system or escort fighters for
protection. Recently it was revealed that YJ-6L ASM is being replaced by the improved YJ-61 (C-611)
ASM with a increased range of 200km. Like the original H-6, its internal bombbay is retained and the
aircraft could be modified to launch ALCMs in the future. Following Russia's rejection to sell any
Tu-22M3 bomber to China, it remains to be seen when and where PLAAF and PLAN are going to look for
a replacement for this obsolescent strategic bomber.
H-6E is the second generation of H-6
intermediate bomber which has made some improvements over the original H-6A/Tu-16. This variant (serial
number 50x7x) is distinguished by its light gray low-visibility color scheme, and the removal of 23mm
nose cannon on the starboard side. In addition, improved bombing and navigational systems as well as
new ECM/ESM systems are believed to have been installed. It is likely that two WP-8 turbojets are also
the upgraded version as well. Nevertheless, soon after it entered the service in the 80s, H-6E
has fastly become obsolete in any modern combat environment, as it still performs WWII style level
bombing missions instead of launching stand-off ASMs outside enemy air-defense perimeter. The latest
news suggests that Chinese are converting H-6E into LACM launch platform (H-6H?). Each
will be able to carry 2-4 large YJ-63 TV-guided LACMs which features a 500kg warhead and has a range of
150+km. If the project is successful, it would extend the life of this 50 year old design well into the
21st century.
A $1.85 billion contract was signed by Chinese and Russian military leaders
in late 1999 to purchase 38 Su-30MKK fighter bombers for
PLAAF, with the first batch of 10 delivered by KNAAPO on December 20, 2000, and the second batch
of 10 delivered on August 21, 2001. The rest of the aircraft
were believed to have been delivered by the end of 2001. More advanced and powerful than JH-7
operated by PLAN, Su-30MKK will become the first fighter
bomber operated by PLAAF capable of carrying a wide range of Russian-made precision-guided air-to-surface weapons including TV guided missiles (Kh-29T &
Kh-59MK), anti-ship missiles (Kh-31A), anti-radiation missiles (Kh-31P) and TV guided bombs (KAB-500KR),
in addition to the wingtip ECM pods. Oddly no laser-guided missiles/bombs or laser designator pods have
been found included in the contract. Its maximum weapon load is 8 ton. Its range can be extended up to
5,200km by inflight refueling, even though China currently does not have a suitable tanker (e.g. Il-78)
yet. As the result, it is expected to replace some of the roles of H-6 medium bomber to launch
long range strikes against high value targets deep inside the enemy territory. The aircraft features the
new N001VE fire-control radar (range 100km, engage 2 targets simultaneously) capable of firing
R-77E/R-129 active radar homing AAMs, 100 of which are to be delivered under a separate contract. The
first test fire of R-77 by Su-30MKK already occurred in June 2002 over the South China Sea. It
also features Su-35 style tailfins with square tips and twin nosewheels. It was reported that the
aircraft also retains the capability (datalink?) as an airborne command post to direct Su-27s to
engage enemy aircraft, but this has not been confirmed. Unlike Su-30MKI being acquired by IAF, it lacks
canard foreplanes, AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engine (Su-30MKK still uses AL-31F) and N-011M
phased-array radar, however its delivery schedule is two and half years faster (in full standard). The
acquisition of this F-15E class fighter bomber by PLAAF would inevitably tip the military balance in the
North East Asia. Currently the first two batches of Su-30MKKs are stationed at Wuhu
Airbase in Southeast China, directly facing Taiwan and the South China Sea, while the 3rd batch has been assigned to the PLAAF Flight Test & Training Center.
In July 2001 China ordered another batch (38) of Su-30MKK worth $1.5 billion during Chinese
President's visit to Moscow. Currently this batch are being manufactured at KnAAPO and the delivery
continues till 2003. The latest news indicated that China ordered a new batch of 38 Su-30MK2 for
PLA Naval Aviation in May 2002. The aircraft will feature with a new Phazotron Zhuk-MS fire control radar
(range 140km, simultaneously engage 4 targets) and is capable of launching the supersonic Kh-31A AShMs in
naval strike role. The delivery schedule of Su-30MK2 is expected to be 2003-04. There was a rumor
that SAC plans to assemble Su-30MKKs (as J-13?) locally in the next few years, but this has not
been confirmed.
