Shenyang J-8

J-8 / F-8
J-8 at the China Aviation Museum
Role	Interceptor
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Design group	Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute
First flight	J-8: 5 July 1969 J-8II: 12 June 1984
Introduction	1980
Status	In limited service
Primary users	PLA Air Force PLA Naval Air Force
Produced	1979–2010
Number built	380

The Shenyang J-8 (Chinese: 歼-8; NATO reporting name: Finback) is a high-speed, high-altitude Chinese-built single-seat interceptor. The J-8I and J-8II variants differ significantly in appearance. The J-8I has an annular air intake with a conical shock cone in the nose, while the J-8II has rectangular flat ramp type intakes located on the sides of the forward fuselage.

Design and development

Shenyang J-8I and J-8II

J-8

The People's Liberation Army Air Force requested an all-weather interceptor from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute to combat new, high altitude threats such as Convair B-58 Hustler bombers, Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers and Lockheed U-2 spy planes as the recently introduced Chengdu J-7 (a licence-built MiG-21) was incapable of doing so. Development began in 1964 which resulted in the first Chinese-designed and built jet fighter,

The prototype first flew in 1969 but due to the political turmoil of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, the J-8 was not produced until 1979 and only entered service in 1980. Its basic configuration is an enlargement of the delta-winged J-7, and utilizes two Liyang (LMC) Wopen-7A turbojet engines to achieve a speed of Mach 2.2. The twin-engined J-8 competed with rival Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group's single turbofan engine, canard-delta J-9 project and ultimately emerged as the victor largely due to the existing availability of the powerplant, while the J-9 was cancelled in 1980 due to development difficulties with its engine.

In order to house a large radar set, the design called for a solid nose and variable geometry side air intakes. However, the lack of familiarity with this type of intake meant the J-8 used a MiG-21 style nose intake. The solid nose J-8 was finally realized in the J-8II (Finback-B), which was otherwise based on the layout of the J-8I. The radar chosen was the Type 204 mono-pulse fire-control radar, a primitive ranging radar for daylight within-visual-range operations. The performance of the radar fell well short of the PLAAF's requirements as research into a more capable fire control radar and power source faced delays. The J-8 was originally armed with cannons and seven hardpoints for missiles, bombs, rockets or fuel tanks. The original weapons layout of the J-8 was two 30 mm (1.2 in) Type 30-1 cannons after initial problems with the 30 mm (1.2 in) Type 30-II four-barrel Gatling gun. The J-8 was also planned to be armed with the experimental PL-4 medium ranged missile but technical issues and political upheavals prevented development and the project was cancelled in 1985 due to unsatisfactory performance. Therefore, the PL-2 IR-homing short-range air-to-air missile was used instead. Unguided bombs and rockets can also be carried. With the development of light-weight nuclear weaponry, the J-8II is also able to carry missiles with nuclear warheads.

Shenyang J-8 from the rear.

Shenyang F-8II, armed with air-to-air missiles and six bombs on a centreline tri-rack.

The original combat avionics package was soon replaced with an all-weather capability in aircraft designated J-8I (Finback-A). The J-8I (later redesignated as the J-8A) received a new gun sight, computer, new cockpit design and redesigned ejection escape system and oxygen supply system. The gun armament was also changed from two 30 mm (1.2 in) cannons to a single 23 mm (0.91 in) twin-barreled cannon and the PL-5 short ranged AAM was also adopted. The later J-8E featured improved electronic warfare systems. The unsatisfactory performance of the J-8I led to a very short production run of between 20 and 50 aircraft and the J-8I slowly began being phased in the 1990s. A tactical reconnaissance variant of the J-8, known as the JZ-8 was developed in the mid 1980s to take advantage of the J-8s speed and altitude capabilities to replace the Shenyang JZ-6 in the tactical reconnaissance role. Using an under-fuselage reconnaissance pod with a KA-112A long focal-length optical camera, the JZ-8 usually operates at altitudes around 9,500–15,000 m (31,200–49,200 ft). By 1982 work began to replace the J-8I with the J-8II. The PLAAF's 1982 requirements demanded beyond visual range combat (BVR) capability with the use medium ranged missiles (MRAAM) and secondary ground attack capabilities. The J-8II was expected to have better aerodynamic performance at medium to low altitudes and at transonic speeds.

J-8II

A Shenyang J-8II parked on an airfield

The J-8II series appear quite different from the original J-8, with new forward fuselage intake ramps with splitter plates and a nose structure more reminiscent of the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II or Sukhoi Su-15 to house a new, more powerful radar. The J-8II is powered by two Wopen-13A (WP-13A) engines. The design and development team was led by Gu Songfen, who is also a key member of J-8I design team.

It was hoped to equip the production J-8B with an American AN/APG-66(V) radar (to be dubbed the J-8C), but this proved politically impossible after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 so the indigenous Type 208A monopulse radar fire-control radar was used initially. Although the Type 208A was an improvement over the original J-8I radar, the Type 208A did not have true beyond visual range capabilities (The detection range of the Type 208 was 40 km (25 mi)) nor look-down/shoot-down ground attack capabilities, thereby falling short of the PLAAFs requirements and the redesign of the airframe. The J-8B was the early production batch of the new J-8II series. In addition to receiving a new radar, new engine and redesigned noses, cockpit and intake, the J-8B also benefited from a new head-up display, integrated inertial navigation system/Global positioning satellite system and TACAN technology. Later J-8Bs were equipped with the more robust KLJ-1 pulse-Doppler radar fire-control radar and radar warning receiver, giving the later batch BVR capabilities.

The J-8B is the second Chinese aircraft with a data link, the first being the Chengdu J-7III, and it uses the Type 483 which was developed from the J-7III's Type 481 data link, to enable ground-controlled interception centres to feed directions directly to the J-8Bs autopilot for "hands off" interceptions.

At least 30 J-8Bs have been converted by the PLA Navy to J-8D standard, with an aerial refuelling probe for use with Xian H-6DU tankers in addition to newly built J-8Ds. The most significant difference between the J-8B and J-8D is the use of the new Type-02 airframe that was heavier than the J-8B and featured uneven length wing fences. The heavier 'Type 02' airframe is able to carry a larger payload and can tolerate higher G-loadings. The new airframe also has a stiffer radome. A few minor differences between the later J-8B batches and the J-8D are the J-8Ds slightly improved avionics. The use of the KLJ-1 pulse-Doppler radar was used through the J-8Ds entire production run. Although the Type 208A was theoretically capable of using semi-active radar homing missiles and the KLJ-1 was certainly capable; PL-11(Domestic version of Italian Aspide) is only compatible with KLJ-1 as the engineers had difficulties reconciling the missile with the early Type 208A systems.

An early attempt to remedy these technological shortcomings still present after the redesign of the J-8 to the J-8II was the J-8C. The project began shortly after failure to obtain American cooperation for the J-8B, so Shenyang turned to Israel and Russia instead. The J-8C was considered a 'radical' upgrade of the original J-8II with a new radar based on the Israeli Elta EL/M 2035 multi-mode pulse Doppler radar, digital fire-control system, a new 'glass' cockpit, in-flight refuelling probe and equipped with a new WP-14 Kunlun engine. These upgrades were said to 'bring the fighter into the same league as modern Russian and Western fighters such as Mikoyan MiG-29 and Dassault Mirage 2000'. The project was cancelled in the late 1990s after two prototypes were built in favour of further development of the Shenyang J-11 fighter (which is based on the Sukhoi Su-27). The J-8IIM, first flown in 1996, is a further improved version. One major improvement over the J-8II is the capable Russian-made Zhuk-8II coherent pulse-Doppler radar, 100 of which have been delivered in the 1990s. Additionally, the J-8IIM carried new multifunction displays, integrated INS/GPS navigation system, new fire-control systems, new alternators and a new electronic countermeasures suite. The J-8IIM possessed true BVR capabilities with the use of the R-27 (air-to-air missile) semi-active infrared seeker medium-ranged missile. New WP-13B turbojet engines were adopted as well. The J-8IIM has had no new orders from China or the export market, where it is offered as the F-8IIM. It was heavily marketed to Iran but ultimately was not exported anywhere. However the experience and technological achievements gained from the J-8C and F-8IIM projects were later applied by Shenyang Aircraft Company to the later J-8H/F variants.

It was also during this time that the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology certified the PL-11 in 2001 after successfully test firing five missiles from the J-8II.

The J-8H configuration features the more powerful WP-13B turbojet engines, improved avionics and the improved Type 1471 pulse-doppler fire control radar with look-down/shoot-down capability and a range of new operating modes. With the radar upgrade comes the ability to fire the PL-11. The J-8H also is equipped with IFR probe, INS/GPS, HOTAS, and an integrated ECM suite, with twin wing fences on each side of the wings that greatly increased handling ability. The J-8Ds heavier airframe is used but with modified wing fences. Production of the J-8H and the J-8D it had superseded has now ceased in favor of upgrading earlier J-8D aircraft to J-8H standards. It is uncertain if the older J-8B will be upgraded to J-8H standards given the difference in airframe. The J-8F is the most modern and capable J-8 variant currently in service and has been in production since 2003. The J-8H/F has inherited many of the improvements of the earlier J-8C and F-8IIM, and in some cases, has improved on them. The J-8F features a glass cockpit, a more powerful WP-13BII turbojet engine and enhanced Type 1492 radar for enhanced air-to-air capabilities with the PL-12/SD-10 MRAAM, which employs an Active radar homing (ARH) seeker, full air-to-ground and air-to-sea capabilities using the AS-17 'Krypton' anti-radar missile, and a variety of Chinese designed precision guided laser and satellite guided bombs, making it the first true Multirole combat aircraft variant of the J-8 series. The J-8F also possesses all the avionic and electronic upgrades the J-8H received. The earlier J-8B/Ds can be distinguished from later J-8H/Fs by their dark green radomes, compared to the latter's black radomes. Introduction of the more powerful WP-14 Kunlun turbojet engine for the J-8 series is planned to go under way in the coming years. The J-8F also serves in the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force as well. A notable variant of the J-8F is the JZ-8F which has been introduced into the PLAAF in the tactical reconnaissance role. Little information has been released on the JZ-8F, other than the use of an internal camera compartment which replaces the twin 23 mm cannon, rather than a camera pod as used by the older JZ-8.

In 1988, one J-8II airframe was converted into the J-8ACT an experimental fly-by-wire testbed for the J-10 programme. The J-8ACT had a shorter fuselage and a pair of canards were fixed to the side of each intake, and replaced older FBW technological demonstrators based on the older Shenyang J-6 and J-8I airframes. To date, no plans for a twin-seat J-8 design have been announced.

Operational history

Shenyang J-8II in flight. This plane was involved in the Hainan Island incident with a US Navy EP-3 Aries II in 2001.

There are currently over 300 J-8s of all types serving in the People's Liberation Army Air Force and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force. The J-8 is expected to be superseded by modern Chengdu J-10 and J-11 variants in the coming years.

April 2001 incident

Main article: Hainan Island incident

On 1 April 2001, a US EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft collided with a Chinese J-8D fighter jet flying near Chinese airspace about 70 miles (110 km) south of China. The EP-3 crew was forced to make an emergency landing on China's Hainan Island; according to Chinese officials, the pilot of the J-8D, Wang Wei, ejected, but he was never found and is presumed dead. American reconnaissance crews had been intercepted many times before, in some instances the interceptors flying as close as ten metres from the American surveillance aircraft. The crew of 24 Americans was eventually allowed to return home on 11 April. The American aircraft was not returned for another 3 months.

Variants

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011-2012

The original J-8 fuselage design at the Beijing Military Museum

• J-8 (Finback-A): First flew on 5 July 1969. Initial clear-weather day fighter variant, resembles an enlarged MiG-21. Equipped with 2 x WP-7A turbojet engines, SR-4 ranging radar 2 x Type 30-I 30mm cannon (200 rounds each), and 2 x PL-2 IR-guided AAMs, provision for external tanks onutboard. Limited production.

Shenyang J-8I

• J-8I (Finback-A): First flew on 24 April 1981. Improved (all-weather) version of J-8. Same powerplant, but fitted with Sichuan SR-4 fire-control radar in intake centerbody; single twin-barrelled Gsh-23L cannon on each side of lower front fuselage. 54 in service in mid-2001, by which time apparently redesignated J-8A.

• J-8E (Finback-A): The J-8Is in service with the PLA received a mid-life modernisation upgrade in the late 1990s. The upgraded aircraft was re-designated as J-8E. Improvements included a new electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite featuring the KJ-8602A all-aspect radar warning receiver (RWR).

Shenyang J-8B at Datang Shan aviation museum

• J-8B (Finback-B): Originally J-8II. All weather version, some 70% redesigned compared with J-8 I and became baseline airframe for new and upgraded variants. Design certified December 1995. Main configuration change is to "solid" nose and twin lateral air intakes, providing more nose space for fire-control radar and other avionics, plus increased airflow for the more powerful WP-13A II turbojets. Manufactured in small economic batches rather than continuous production.

J-8B (Finback-B) Block 02

Late-production J-8Bs have an upgraded (KLJ-1) fire-control radar with a lookdown/shootdown mode compatible with PL-8 (Python-3) IR guided and PL-11 (domestic licensed version of Italian Aspide) semi-active radar-guided AAMs, plus a new KJ-8602 RWR antenna on the fintip. New avionics, some possibly of Israeli design or origin, including HK-13E HUD, Type 563B INS/GPS, JD-II Tacan and an RKL-800A integrated ECM suite. In service with PLA Air Force and Navy.

• J-8C (Originally J-8 III): Development apparently began around 1990, but existence not noted until 2001. FIrst prototype(c/n 8301, serial 510) reportedly flew 1992 but powered by WP-13B engines instead of intended WP-14 Kunlun. Elta EL/M-2034 fire control radar initially, Chinese Type 1471 Later; integrated with the new(Type 1785A ?) stores management system; IR guided PL-8 or radar-guided PL-11 missiles. Airframe changed included fixed (but detachable) in flight refuelling probe and additional fence on each wing. Reported digital flight by wire controls and redesigned cockpit with HUD and two MFDs. At least one other prototype completed (serial 511) but, although certified in June 1994, development delays with WP-14 turbojet caused production plans to be abandoned. However, some upgrade technology graduated into later variants.

J-8E at Beijing Military Museum

• J-8D (Finback-B Mod) (originally J-8 IV): First flew on 21 November 1990, Designation of J-8Bs built or modified for in-flight refueling; non-retractable (but removable) probe on starboard side of cockpit; combat radius increased to 648 nm(1,200kml 745miles). Avionics upgrades include Type 208B fire control radar, Type 563 INS, JD-3II Tacan, KJ-8602 radar warning receiver, RKL-800A ECM and HK-13E HUD; can carry up to 4 PL-8 AAMs. IN service with PLA AIr Force and Navy from 1996. Some or all now being upgraded to J-8H, possibly including more powerful SARI Kunlun turbojet.

• J-8F:One of the definitive version of the Finback with FOX 3 capabilities. Developed from 1999; first flight 2000. Continues development started with J-8C, retaining detachable refuelling probe and additional wing fences; powered by uprated (approx 68.7kN; 15,432lbs st) WP-13B II turbojet and equipped to launch PL-12(SD-10) AAMs, using improved Type 1492 fire control radar. Cockpit avionics may also have been further upgraded. In limited PLAAF service from 2003 with 3rd Regiment of 1st Division and other units. Some50-80 reported to be in service by end of 2006; said to be entering PLA Navy Service well by early 2008. Re-engining with WP-14PC Kunlun III turbojet reportedly under way in 2008. It is reported that during 2006–2008, J-8 production suffered major setback due to engine problem.

• J-8G: An advanced modified variant of the J-8II tasked with the suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) mission was said to have been developed by the SAC in the 2000s. The aircraft, reportedly designated J-8G, was said to be capable of carrying two indigenous YJ-91 anti-radiation missile and electronic warfare suite to attack enemy radar stations.

• J-8H: Further development of J-8D (preceding J-8F). Programme reportedly began 1995 and variant approved 1999. Retains twin pairs of wing fences and removable refuelling probe. WP-13B engines(said to be replaced by WP-14 Kunlun II in 2008); KLJ-1(Type 1471 KLJ-1) radar; PL-11 AAMs; possibly also YJ-91 anti-radiation ASMs. Flying control and avionics include HOTAS, INS/GPS and integrated ECM. Limited PLAAF service from 2002 including 21st division; maybe earmarked for upgrade to J-8F standards. Production completed, but being augmented by upgrading earlier J-8Ds and/or J-8Bs, there being redesignated J-8DH and J-8BH.

• J-8T: Further upgrades of J-8F(Westernised as F-8T) Underdevelopment in 2008, and said to be production ready in late 2009. Including increased power from WP-14C kunlun III engine. Upgraded with JL-10A X-band radar. Export variant, F-8T, has WP-13B-II engines. China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation claims J-8T is equipped with improved integrate avionic and various guided weapons. J-8T can carry out air-to-air BVR intercepting mission, air-to-ground precise attacking mission and stand-off attacking mission.

• JZ-8 (J-8R): Reconnaissance version. Also Reported as J-8E, J-8R, and J-8V. believe to be converted from J-8A; at least 6 knowns. Retains gun armament; undernose sensor similar to package to that of Su-17/20/22 variants; centerline pod similar in appearance to that carried by Mig-21R, incorporating large rectangular camera window or SLAR antenna, in service with PLA Air Force.

A Shenyang J-8F

• JZ-8F: A reconnaissance version of the J-8F. existence confirmed in 2007; based on J-8F and replacing JZ-8/J-8R in PLAAF. Internal guns replaced by customised internal camera compartment with one small and one large window, indicating likelihood of separate optical and low-light or IR cameras for all weather day and night photography. Large (comms?) antenna just forward of tailfin; possibly WP-14 powerplant.

• Peace Pearl J-8 (J-8II): During the Sino-US cooperation era, up to 50 J-8IIs were to be delivered to the US for upgrades and installation of AN/APG-66(v) radar and fire control system for US$500 million, under the Peace Pearl programme. However, the project was cancelled and only about 24 J-8II were produced. USAF Air Force Flight Test Center (6510 Squadron) took the task of test flight of modified J-8II.

• F-8IIM: Unveiled in Zhuhai Air Show 1996, export version of J-8B with Russian Phazotron Zhuk-8II PD radar (75 km range, and able to track up to ten airborne targets and attack two of them simultaneously), R-27R1 (AA-10) AAM and Kh-31P anti-radiation missile. The F-8IIM was to be powered by two, more powerful WP-13B turbojet engines. This aircraft is often mistakenly referred to as the "J-8IIM" with Kh-31A anti-ship missile (ASM) capability, but its radar lacked sea search mode for anti-shipping role. Additional proposed upgrade including No. 607 Institute Blue Sky Low-altitude navigation pod; Southwest China Electronic Equipment Research Institute KG-300G airborne self-protection jammer pod; No 613 Institute FLIR/Laser targeting pod; and a triple redundant flight by wire flight control system. The F-8IIM failed to attract any export customers and no domestic orders. Conversion from older airframe was reportedly much fewer than the 100 units of Zhuk-8II radar delivered, and the conversion might have only been an experimental programme with none entering service.

The F-8IIM fighter will probably be equipped with Russia's or China's helmet sight and advanced PL-9 and P-73 missiles. Phazotron, a Russian firm, has signed contracts with China to provide 150–200 improved Zhuk radars mainly in support of China's new F-8II fighter.

• J-8IIG: Modified J-8II with tail hook and other improvements for developmental work on shipborne aircraft for carrier operations, such as in April 1987, evaluating & testing the Chinese reverse-engineered steam catapult from that of HMAS Melbourne (R21), which was finally confirmed 27 years later in April 2014 by CCTV-13. Both the take-off and landing were conducted on land with the reverse engineered steam catapult installed on the beach, and the test pilot was PLANAF pilot Li Guoqiang (李国强). Experience gained was applied to Shenyang J-15.

• J-8IIM (2006): At Zhuhai Air Show 2006, a new variant "J-8IIM" was put on display with upgraded systems similar to the J-8H.

Operators

People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force: 24 J-8, 42 J-8A, 64 J-8B, 36 J-8D, 12 J-8E, 24 J-8F, 48 J-8H, 8 JZ-8, 24 JZ-8F in service in 2010
• People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force: 48 J-8I/J-8F/J-8B/J-8D in service in 2010

As of early 2011, there are about 300 Chinese J-8s in service.

Specifications (F-8 IIM)

Data from Chinese aircraft : China's aviation industry since 1951

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 21.39 m (70 ft 2 in) (20.53 m (67.4 ft) excluding nose pitot probe)
• Wingspan: 9.344 m (30 ft 8 in)
• Height: 5.41 m (17 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 42.2 m² (454 sq ft)
• Airfoil: root: TsAGI S-12 (4.2%); tip: TsAGI S-12 (5%)
• Empty weight: 10,371 kg (22,864 lb)
• Gross weight: 15,288 kg (33,704 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 18,879 kg (41,621 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Guizhou WP-13B afterburning turbojet engines, 47.1 kN (10,580 lbf) thrust each dry, 68.6 kN (15,430 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 2,300 km/h (1,400 mph, 1,200 kn) limited to M2.2
• Maximum speed: Mach 2.4
• Combat range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) radius with 3x drop tanks
• Combat radius with one AAR: 900 km (560 mi; 490 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
• g limits: during sustained turn at M 0.9

+6.9 sustained at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) +4.7 sustained at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

• Rate of climb: 224 m/s (44,100 ft/min) 21s from M0.7 to M1.0 at 1000m

54s from M0.6 to M1.25 at 5000m

• Thrust/weight: 0.74
  
• Unstick speed: 330 km/h (210 mph; 180 kn)
• Take-offrun: 630 m (2,070 ft)
• Touchdown speed: 224 km/h (139 mph; 121 kn)
• Landing run: 900 m (3,000 ft)

Armament

• 1 x 23mm Type 23-3 (Gsh-23) cannon with 200 rounds of ammunition
• Up to 10 Type 250 III or Type 250 IV low-drag bombs, 4 underwing and 6 under fuselage; Or 5 500kg low-drag bombs, 2 underwing and 3 under fuselage
• 57mm rocket pods with 12 rounds, 90mm rocket pods
• Up to 6 missiles with a combination of
• IR missiles PL-2B, PL-5, PL-7(domestic matra magic R550), PL-8(Python 3), PL-9
• Radar guided PL-11(Italian Aspide), PL-12, SD-10, R-27R1 depending on version; see variants section for more detail

Avionics
Zhuk-8 II Radar, KJ-8602 Omni-directional RWR, Chaff/Flare dispensers in tailcone,

See also

Related development

• Chengdu J-7

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
• McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
• Sukhoi Su-15

Related lists

• (Zircon Anti Ship Missile)

References

Bibliography

• Wilson, Stewart. Combat Aircraft since 1945. London: Aerospace Publications, 2000. ISBN 1-875671-50-1.

External links

• China J-8 (Finback-A) photo collection AirForceWorld.com
• China J-8II (Finback-B) photo collection
• China-defense.com Development of China's J-8 Fighter
• sinodefence.com J-8 (Finback-A)
• sinodefence.com J-8II (Finback-B)
• [1] (in Chinese)