Chengdu J/F-7

Chengdu J/F-7

The Chengdu J/F-7 (Chinese: 歼-7; third generation export version F-7; NATO reporting name: Fish can) is a People's Republic of China fighter aircraft. It is a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, and thus shares many similarities with the MiG-21. The aircraft is armed with short-range, infrared-homing air-to-air missiles and is mainly designed for short-range air-to-air combat. The aircraft is also used for close air support.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1

  

  J/F-7 BG

  
  
• Length: 14.884 m (48 ft 10 in) (Overall)
• Wingspan: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
• Height: 4.11 m (13 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 24.88 m2 (267.8 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 2.8
• Airfoil: root: TsAGI S-12 (4.2%); tip: TsAGI S-12 (5%)[61]
• Empty weight: 5,292 kg (11,667 lb)
• Gross weight: 7,540 kg (16,623 lb) with 2x PL-2 or PL-7 air-to-air missiles
• Max takeoff weight: 9,100 kg (20,062 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Liyang Women-13F afterburning turbojet, 44.1 kN (9,900 lbs) thrust dry, 64.7 kN (14,500 lbs) with afterburner

Performance

Maximum speed: 2,200 km/h (1,400 mph, 1,200 km) IAS

F/J-7 Bangladesh air force

• Maximum speed: Mach 2
• Stall speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 km) IAS
• Combat range: 850 km (530 mi, 460 mi)
• Ferry range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 mi)
• Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
• Rate of climb: 195 m/s (38,400 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: 2× 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, 60 rounds per gun
• Hardpoints: 5 in total – 4× under-wing, 1× centreline under-fuselage with a capacity of 2,000 kg maximum (up to 500 kg each)[62]
• Rockets: 55 mm rocket pod (12 rounds), 90 mm rocket pod (7 rounds)

Missiles:

• Air-to-air missiles: PL-2, PL-5, PL-7, PL-8, PL-9, K-13, Magic R.550, AIM-9

Bombs: 50 kg to 500 kg unguided bombs

F/J-7 Sri Lanka air force

Avionics

• FIAR Grifo-7 mk.II radar

On 30 March 1962, the Soviet Union and China signed a technology transference arrangement about the MiG-21. Allegedly, while various kits, components, completed aircraft, and associated documents were delivered to the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, the design documentation was incomplete, and Chinese designers made efforts to reverse-engineer the aircraft. While the two aircraft are greatly similar, areas of difference include the hydraulic systems and internal fuel arrangements. In March 1964, domestic production of the J-7 reportedly commenced at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, but due to various factors including the Cultural Revolution, mass production was only truly achieved during the 1980s. Numerous models of the J-7 were developed, featuring improvements in areas such as the armament, avionics, and wing design.

The aircraft is principally operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), but numerous international operators have bought their own J-7s. Outside of China, the largest operator of the J-7 is the Pakistan Air Force. Later-generation Chinese aircraft, such as the Shenyang J-8 interceptor, was developed with the lessons learned from the J-7 programme. Several nations, including Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka, deployed the type in offensive roles.

In 2013, production of the J-7 was terminated after the delivery of 16 F-7BGI to the Bangladesh Air Force. Newer fighter aircraft, such as the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter, have succeeded in the export market. To date, large numbers of J-7s remain in service with both the PLAAF and multiple export customers.‏‍‌