Chengdu J-7

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J-7 / F-7 Airguard
Chengdu F-7 Pakistani Air Force (cropped).jpg
An upgraded Chengdu F-7PG of the Pakistan Air Force
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Corporation/Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation
First flight 17 January 1966
Status Operational
Primary users People's Liberation Army Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
Bangladesh Air Force
Korean People's Air Force
Produced 1965–2013
Number built 2,400+
Developed from Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Developed into Guizhou JL-9

The Chengdu J-7 (Chinese: 歼-7; third generation export version F-7; NATO reporting name: Fishcan[1]) 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.[2] The aircraft is armed with short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missiles and mainly designed for short range air-to-air combat. The aircraft is also used for close air support.

On 30 March 1962, the Soviet Union and China signed a technology transference arrangement pertaining to 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. During 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, were 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 it in the export market. To date, large numbers of J-7s remain in service with both the PLAAF and multiple export customers.[3][4]

Design and development[]

Background[]

In the 1950s and early 1960s, the Soviet Union shared a large proportion of its conventional weapons technology with its neighbor, the People's Republic of China. One such example is the MiG-19, which was locally produced by China as the Shenyang J-6 from as early as 1958.[5] During the same decade, the even more capable MiG-21 had been developed by the Soviets; this fighter, being inexpensive but fast, suited the strategy of forming large groups of 'people's fighters' to overcome the technological advantages of Western aircraft. However, the Sino-Soviet split abruptly ended initial cooperation efforts; between 28 July 28 and 1 September 1960, the Soviet Union withdrew its advisers from China, resulting in the J-7 project coming to a halt in China.

During February 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev unexpectedly wrote to Mao Zedong to inform him that the Soviet Union was willing to transfer MiG-21 technology to China, and he asked the Chinese to promptly send their representatives to the Soviet Union to discuss arrangements. The Chinese viewed this offer as a Soviet gesture to make peace, while suspicious, they were nonetheless eager to take up the Soviet offer of an aircraft deal. A delegation headed by General Liu Yalou, the commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and himself a Soviet military academy graduate, was dispatched to Moscow immediately; the Chinese delegation was given three days to visit the MiG-21's production facility, which was previously off-limits to foreigners.[6] The visit's authorization was personally given by Nikita Khrushchev, and on 30 March 1962, the technology transfer deal was signed.[citation needed][7]

Establishing production[]

However, given the state of political relations between the two countries, the Chinese were not optimistic about gaining the technology, and allegedly made preparations to reverse engineer the aircraft.[5] Russian sources state that several complete MiG-21s were sent to China, flown by Soviet pilots, while MiG-21Fs in kit form was also sent along with parts and technical documents. As the Chinese had expected, following the delivery of kits, parts and documents to Shenyang Aircraft Factory five months after the deal was signed, it was discovered that some technical documents provided by the Soviets were incomplete and that several parts could not be used.[citation needed]

China set about to engineer the aircraft for local production; in doing so, they successfully solved 249 major issues and reproduced eight major technical documents that were not provided by the Soviet Union. One of the major flaws was with the hydraulic systems, which grounded up to 70% of some squadron's aircraft until upgrades were made. Another major modification was to the fuel storage, increasing the aircraft's stability. The MiG-21 carries most of its fuel in the forward fuselage, causing the center of gravity to shift and become unstable after about 45 minutes of operation. The J-7 has redesigned fuel tanks and significantly larger drop tanks in order to maintain a more stable center of gravity, and therefore better Longitudinal static stability. The cockpit was also revised to replace the Soviet ejection seat, which was deemed to be unacceptable. The forward opening canopy was replaced by a standard rear-hinged canopy, which was jettisoned prior to ejection. The re-engineering effort was largely successful, as the Chinese-built J-7 showed only minor differences in design and performance from the original MiG-21.[8]

During March 1964, domestic production of the J-7 reportedly commenced at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory. However, mass production efforts were severely hindered by an unexpected social and economic problem—the Cultural Revolution—that resulted in poor initial quality and slow progress. Achieving full domestic production had involved not only the local assembly of the aircraft itself, but the production of its various components and systems, including its turbojet powerplant.[9] As a consequence, full-scale production of the J-7 was only truly achieved during the 1980s, by which time the original aircraft design was showing its age. By the 1980s, quantity production of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter was well underway in the United States; this relatively-affordable single-engined western fighter was considerably more agile than the J-7, even with the former carrying a greater payload.[10]

Further development[]

Bangladesh Air Force F-7BGI is the last production model of F7/J7 fighters

In 1987, the J-7E was released, having a greatly improved wing, among other improvements. It was roughly 45% more maneuverable, and its takeoff and landing performance was greatly increased. It was also equipped with a helmet mounted sight, as well as being the first MiG-21 variant to be equipped with HOTAS and a multipurpose display. Many of the electronic components were British in origin, such as the gun sight and the multi purpose display. The aircraft is capable of using PL-8/Python 3 missiles with both the helmet mounted sight or the radar fire control, but the two are not connected. The pilot may use only one system at a time.[8]

In the mid 1980s, Pakistan requested an aircraft with greater radar capabilities. Both the standard radar and the British Marconi radar were plagued by ground clutter, but China did not have any experience with air to ground radar at the time. In 1984, Pakistan provided assistance by having their American-trained F-16 pilots provide training on proper ground attack radar operation, which enabled the Chinese to develop the J-7M. In the late 1980s, the J-7MP and J-7PG introduced significant upgrades to the radar system by converting to an Italian FIAR Grifo-7 radar, more than tripled the effective range of the radar, as well as greatly increased the maximum angle for target detection.[11]

The J-7 only reached its Soviet-designed capabilities in the mid 1980s. Being relatively affordable, it was widely exported as the F-7, often with Western systems incorporated, such as to Pakistan. There are over 20 different export variants of the J-7, some of which are equipped to use European weaponry, such as French R.550 Magic missiles. The Discovery Channel's Wings Over The Red Star series claims that the Chinese intercepted several Soviet MiG-21s en route to North Vietnam (during the Vietnam War), but these aircraft did not perform in a manner consistent with their original specifications, suggesting that the Chinese actually intercepted down-rated aircraft that were intended for export, rather than fully capable production aircraft. For this reason, the Chinese had to re-engineer the intercepted MiG-21 airframes in order to achieve their original capabilities. China later developed the Shenyang J-8 based both on the expertise gained by the program, and by utilizing the incomplete technical information acquired from the Soviet Ye-152 developmental jet.[12][13]

During May 2013, production of the J-7 was permanently terminated, bringing to a close a period of manufacturing stretching almost 50 years.[14]

The J-7 is being converted into a drone.[15]

Operational history[]

A Nigerian F-7NI
Albanian Air Force Chengdu F-7A
Myanmar Air Force Chengdu F-7M
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Chengdu J-7 landing at Mehrabad International Airport
Abandoned Iraqi FT-7in front of the Al Asad ATC Tower
A J-7I on display at the Chinese Aviation Museum. Note the underwing PL-2 missiles

Africa[]

Namibia

During August 2005, Namibia ordered 12 F-7NMs for its air force; chinese sources reported the delivery in November 2006. The model procured is believed to be a variation of the F-7PG acquired by Pakistan with Grifo MG radar.[16]

Nigeria

In early 2008, Nigeria procured 12 F-7NI fighters and three FT-7NI trainers to replace its existing inventory of MiG-21 fighters.[17] On 20 September 2018, one pilot was killed after two Nigerian F-7Ni aircraft crashed into Katamkpe Hill, Abuja while rehearsing for an aerial display to mark Nigeria's 58th Independence Anniversary celebrations.[18]

Sudan

During the lengthy Second Sudanese Civil War, Sudan procured a number of F-7s. In November 1993, it was reported that Iran had allegedly financed Sudan's purchase of around 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft, having pledged $17 million in financial aid to the Sudanese government and arranged for $300 million in Chinese arms to be delivered to the Sudanese Army.[19]

Tanzania

The Tanzanian Air Force deployed its F-7As during the Uganda–Tanzania War against Uganda and Libya, fought between 1978 and 1979. Forming a major component of Tanzania's combat aircraft, the type facilitated the defeat of the nominally stronger Uganda Army Air Force during the air campaign.[20][21]

Zimbabwe

During the 1980s, Zimbabwe initiated a policy of intervention in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), resulting in around six F-7s being deployed to the Lubumbashi IAP, and subsiquently to a similar installation near Mbuji-Mayi. From there, AFZ F-7s flew dozens of combat air patrols, attempting in vain to intercept transport aircraft being used to bring supplies and troops from Rwanda and Burundi to the Congo. Starting in late October 1998, F-7s of the No.5 Squadron commenced an aerial offensive in east-central Congo; this began with a series of air strikes that first targeted airfields in Gbadolite, Dongo and Gmena, and then rebel and Rwandan communications and depots in the Kisangani area on November 21.[22]

Europe[]

Albania

The stationing of F-7As in north of the country near the border successfully checked Yugoslav incursions into Albanian airspace.[23]

East and Southeast Asia[]

China

Throughout the mid 1990s, the PLAAF began to replace its J-7B inventory with the substantially redesigned and improved J-7E variant. The wings of the J-7E have been changed to a unique "double delta" design offering improved aerodynamics and increased fuel capacity, and the J-7E also features a more powerful engine and improved avionics. The newest version of the J-7, the J-7G, entered service with the PLAAF in 2003.[citation needed]

The principal role of the J-7 in Chinese service is to provide local air defence and tactical air superiority. Large numbers are to be employed to deter enemy air operations.[citation needed]

In June 2021, a combat drill was conducted near Taiwan's air defense identification zone.[24]

Myanmar

During the 1990s, Myanmar reportedly established four squadrons of F-7s, which have been primarily used for air defense duties. Technical difficulties have reportedly plagued the fleet early on, as well as a dissatisfaction with their ground-attack performance.[25] Since the acquisition, Myanmar has improved the F-7 fleet's capabilities via a modernisation programme. A series of upgrades were allegedly performed by a combination of Chinese and Israeli enterprises; although confirmed details on the arrangements have remain sparse, changes reportedly include the adoption of various Israeli-built missiles.[26][25]

Middle East[]

Egypt

Between 21 to 24 July 1977, diplomatic tensions between the neighboring nations of Egypt and Libya deteriorated into outright conflict, known as the Libyan–Egyptian War. The Egyptian Air Force responded by deploying both MiG-21s and F-7Bs along the Egyptian-Libyan border; these acted to fend off incursions into Egyptian air space by Libyan MiG-23 ground attack aircraft.[27] While Libya's MiG-23 fleet was quickly grounded, after one air battle between two Egyptian and two Libyan fighters which resulted in the downing of one Libyan MiG-23.[28]

Iran

During the 1980s, Iran procured a number of F-7s, despite Chinese officials issuing denials of directly supplying military equipment to the country at that time.[29] Despite its use as a frontline fighter, the type has not reportedly been involved in any known combat actions. By the 21st century, the type was largely relegated to use as a trainer for Iranian pilots.[14] The F-7 has also been used as a flying test bed for various indigenous technologies. By this point, maintaining the fleet's operational status had reportedly become difficult, not only due to a limited pool of spare parts despite efforts by domestic industries to fill in, but also as an unavoidable consequence of most airframes, some of which date back to the late 1960s, have accumulated excessively high number of flight hours.[14]

Iranian F-7s have featured in several movies, often portraying Iranian MiG-21s during the Iran–Iraq War. One tells the story of an Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force strike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak on 30 September 1980. Another "Attack on H3" tells the story of the 810 km-deep raids into the Iraqi heartland against Iraqi Air Force airfields on 4 April 1981, and other movies depicting the air combat in 1981 that resulted in the downing of around 70 Iraqi aircraft. However, unconfirmed reports claimed that during the later stages of the war, these aircraft were used for air-to-ground attacks.[citation needed]

Iraq

F-7Bs paid for by Egypt arrived too late for the aerial combat in the early part of the Iran–Iraq War, but later participated mainly in air-to-ground sorties.[citation needed]

South Asia[]

Bangladesh Air Force F-7BGI inflight. F-7BGI is one of the most advanced variant and last production model of F7/J7 fighters.
Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi Air Force currently operates FT-7MB Airguards, and F-7BG and F-7BGI interceptors.[30] The 16 F-7BGIs of Bangladesh Air Force entereted service in 2013. F-7BGI are one of the most advanced variant and last production model of F7/J7 fighters.

Pakistan

Pakistan has been the largest non-Chinese operator of the F-7, having procured around 120 F-7P and 60 F-7PG to equip the Pakistan Air Force. During the 1980s, seeking to increase the effectiveness of its F-7 fleet, Pakistan engaged in Project Sabre II, a design study involving both China and the US aircraft manufacturer Grumman, aimed at redesigning and upgrading the F-7; however, by 1989, this effort was abandoned largely as a consequence of economic sanctions having been imposed by the US.[31] That the same year, China and Grumman started a new design study to develop the Super 7, another redesign of the F-7.[32] Grumman left the project when sanctions were placed on China following the political fallout from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. During 1991, another initiative was launched; originally known as the Fighter China project, this would eventually result in the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter.[33]

Pakistan has long planned to replace its entire F-7 fleet, along with various other fighters in its inventory, with JF-17s, which was principally developed in order to satisfy a requirement issued by the Pakistan Air Force for an affordable and modern combat aircraft.[34][35]

Sri Lanka

During the early 1990s, Sri Lanka procured a small fleet of F-7BS fighters for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), restoring the latter's fast jet capabilities in the process.[36] Due to the type's comparative lack of endurance and payload, the SLAF has periodically used their F-7s for pilot training purposes.[37] Early in 2008, the air force received six more advanced F-7Gs, to use primarily as interceptors. All The F-7G's, F-7BS's and FT-7s are flown by the No 5 Jet Squadron.[citation needed]

The SLAF has repeatedly deployed its F-7BS to conduct ground-attack missions against the forces of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Sri Lankan officials reported that on 9 September 2008, three F-7s were scrambled after two rebel-flown Zlín-143 were detected by ground radar. Two were sent to bomb two rebel airstrips at Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi areas, while the third reportedly intercepted one Zlin-143; according to the Sri Lankan government, this engagement resulted in one of the LTTE's Zlín-143 being shot down by the chasing F-7G using an air-to-air missile while the rebel-flown light aircraft was returning to its base at Mullaitivu after a bombing run against Vavuniya base.[38][39]

Variants[]

Main article: List of Chengdu J-7 variants

Operators[]

Chengdu J-7 Operators 2010 (former operators in red)

Current[]

 Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Air Force: 12 × F-7BG fighter and 4 × FT-7BG two-seater operational conversion trainer delivered in 2007. Additional 16 advanced F-7 BGI fighters delivered in 2012.[30] Most of the earlier deliveries of 16 F-7MB and 8 FT-7MB trainer aircraft now retired from service.[40]
 China
 Egypt
  • Egyptian Air Force: 74 × F-7 in service,[42]
 Iran
  • Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force: 20 × F-7 in service.[43]
 Myanmar
  • Myanmar Air Force: 62 aircraft were received by the year 1990 to 1999 .24× F-7M and 6× FT-7 trainers remained in service (As of February 2012).[41]
 Namibia
  • Namibian Air Force: 6 × F-7NM and 2 × FT-7NM in active service. A total of 12 F/FT-7NM aircraft were delivered between 2006–2008.[44]
 Nigeria
 North Korea
  • North Korean Air Force: As of February 2012, 180 × F-7 remained in service. However, reports of dire levels of serviceability suggest an airworthiness rate of less than 50%.[41]
 Pakistan
  • Pakistan Air Force: As of February 2017, 139 × F-7P/PG plus 7 × FT-7 remained in service.[46]
    • No. 19 Squadron Sherdils – Operated F-7P/FT-7P from 1990[47] until April 2014.[48] Replaced by F-16A/B Block 15 ADF.[49]
    • CCS Dashings – Operated F-7P from 1992 until January 2015. Replaced by JF-17 Block 1.[50]
 Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lankan Air Force: 9 × F-7/GS/BS and 1 × FT-7 trainer remained in service (As of February 2013).[41]
 Sudan
 Tanzania
  • Tanzanian Air Force: Originally having had 11 × F-7 in service,[52] Tanzania replaced them with 12 new J-7's (single-seat) under the designation J-7G and 2 dual-seat aircraft designated F-7TN in 2011. Originally ordered in 2009, the deliveries were completed and the aircraft are now fully operational at the air bases in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. The new aircraft are equipped with a KLJ-6E Falcon radar, thought to be developed from the Selex Galileo Grifo 7 radar. The J-7G's primary weapon is the Chinese PL-7A short-range infrared air-to-air missile.[53]

Former[]

 Albania
 Iraq
  • Iraqi Air Force: 80× F-7, all retired.
 Mozambique
  • Mozambican Air Force
 United States of America
  • United States Air Force[57] (Foreign Technology Evaluation: MiG-21F-13)
 Zimbabwe
  • Air Force of Zimbabwe: Had 7 × F-7 in service. Now stored.[58]

Specifications (J-7MG)[]

A J-7I seen from above at the Beijing Military Museum. Note the delta wing and distinctive PLAAF markings
A Sri Lanka Air Force Chengdu F-7GS and stores on static display

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[59]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • 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%)[60]
  • 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 Wopen-13F afterburning turbojet, 44.1 kN (9,900 lbf) thrust dry, 64.7 kN (14,500 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,200 km/h (1,400 mph, 1,200 kn) IAS
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2
  • Stall speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn) IAS
  • Combat range: 850 km (530 mi, 460 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
  • 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)[61],
  • 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

Avionics

  • FIAR Grifo-7 mk.II radar

Accidents and incidents[]

  • On April 8, 2008, Squadron Leader Morshed Hasan died when F-7 of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed in Ghatail upazila of Tangail.The pilot ejected from the aircraft but was critically injured when its parachute malfunctioned. He died at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka after he had been rescued from the scene.[62]
  • On May 6, 2010, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed due to engine failure near Jinan, China.[63]
  • On April 13, 2011, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed near Liu Jiang County and Xin Cheng County, Liu Zhou City during a training flight.[64]
  • On December 4, 2012, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed into a residential building in Shantou, Guangdong province.[65] 4 civilians were injured as a result of the crash.[66]
  • On June 29, 2015, Flight Lieutenant Tahmid went missing when F-7MB of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed into Bay of Bengal. The Aircraft took off around 10:27am from the Johurul Haque air base, lost contact with the control room around 11:10am which later crashed in the Bay of Bengal in Patenga around 11:30am.[67][68]
  • On 24 November 2015, flying officer Marium Mukhtiar – the first female fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), died when a twin-seat FT-7PG crashed at PAF Base M.M. Alam near Kundian in Punjab province on a training mission. Both pilots ejected, but she succumbed to injuries received on landing. She was occupying the rear seat for Instrument Flight Rules training.[69][70]
  • On November 23, 2018, Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu died when F-7BG of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed in Tangail's Madhupur upazila on a training mission.The fuel tanker of the aircraft reportedly caught fire once it used weaponry in the sky, leading the pilot to eject in low altitude.[71][72]
  • On 7 January 2020, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-7 crashed while on a routine operational training mission near Mianwali. Both pilots lost their lives in the crash.[73]

See also[]

Related development

References[]

Citations[]

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External links[]

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