Xian JH-7
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-->The Xian Jian Hong (JH)-7, also known as the FBC-1 Flying Leopard, is a two-seater (tandem), twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF), and possibly the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The main contractors are Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation (XAC) and the 602nd Aircraft Design Institute. The first batch of JH-7 aircraft were delivered to the PLANAF in the mid-1990s for evaluation, and the improved JH-7A variant entered service in 2004. [link]
History and description
In the early 1970s, the PLA submitted a request to the Ministry of Aeronautics (MoA) to develop a new fighter-bomber that could replace the H-5 (Il-28) and Q-5. Initially, due to different requirements from the PLAAF and PLANAF, there were two variants under development. The PLAAF variant was to be an all-weather deep-penetration strike bomber, with side-by-side cockpit seating, Electronic counter-measures (ECM), and terrain following capabilities similiar to the General Dynamics F-111. Western observers speculated that this design might have been influced by the USAF F-111. However, this variant was dropped in the early 1980s.The PLANAF's variant was for an all-weather, two-seat (tandem), strike/reconnaissance aircraft. 6 prototypes were built by December 1988, and a small batch of 12 to 18 JH-7s were delivered to the PLANAF in the early 1990s for evaluation. The first JH-7s used imported Rolls-Royce Spey Mk202 engines. Later, they were replaced by license-built Spey Mk202s named WoShang-9 (WS-9).
In 2004, the improved JH-7A entered service with PLANAF. The JH-7A is updated with JL-10A PD radar, new fly-by-wire (FBW) system, one-piece windscreen, additional hardpoints, and capability to use Russian LGBs and Kh-31 anti-radiation missiles.
The JH-7 is China's newest and best domestically-built fighter-bomber. Critics are quick to point out that the aircraft is underpowered with Mk202/WS-9 engines, and inferior weapons load of only 5 tons, compared to the Su-24/Su-30 at 8 tons, and F-111 at 14 tons. However, the JH-7 does represent a technological advancement for the PLANAF, and its load capacity allows the aircraft to carry 2 (JH-7) or 4 (JH-7A) domestically-made anti-ship missiles in maritime strike missions.
PLANAF Deployement
As of November 2005, there are 3 PLANAF regiments equipped with the JH-7: [link]East Sea Fleet, 6th PLANAF Division [link]
- 16th Regiment based in [Shanghai Dachang Naval Air Station] (JH-7)
- 17th Regiment based in [Yiwu (Yiwi) Airbase], Zhejiang (JH-7)
- 27th Regiment based in Ledong Naval Airbase, Hainan Island (JH-7A)
PLAAF Deployement
As of May 2006, there is one PLAAF Regiment in the 28th Division known to operate the JH-7A. It's speculated that the PLAAF JH-7A will serve in precision ground-strike role, rather than anti-shipping.
Nanjing Military Region, 28th PLAAF Division [link]
- ?? Regiment based in [Hangzhou Jianquiao Airbase], Zhejiang (JH-7A)
Specifications (JH-7)
External links
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