Chengdu J-7

Chengdu J-7
A Pakistani Chengdu F-7PG
Type:	Interceptor
Design country:	People's Republic of China
Manufacturer:	Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
First flight:	17th January 1966
Commissioning:	1968
Production time:	1967 to mid-2013
Number of pieces:	more than 2400

The Chengdu J-7 (in the export version F-7 ) is a Chinese fighter aircraft . At the beginning of its development, it was closely based on the Soviet MiG-21 . However, due to various modernization measures, some newer versions no longer have much in common with this one. Although the J-7 cannot keep up with modern aircraft in its class, due to its low purchase price and robust construction, it is used by countries in the third world in particular, except in China. China is currently said to have five regiments , each with around 100 of these machines.

history

China, which until then had built the Soviet MiG-17 and MiG-19 under license and had also developed its own versions of them, acquired permission to replicate the MiG-21F-13 in 1961. Due to the growing political tensions between the Soviet Union and China , this was withdrawn when the relationship was broken off. Until then, only a few model aircraft, components and blueprints, which were extremely sketchy, had reached China. Despite this misery, the decision was made to build the aircraft. It took about five years for the first J-7I to take off on its maiden flight on January 17, 1966 . A Wopen WP-7 served as the engine . Although series production began in 1967, due to internal political tensions (the Cultural Revolution had broken out), only a few aircraft were built and transferred to China's air force . 15 copies were delivered to Tanzania as F-7A . Albania also received twelve in November 1970, ten of which were still preserved in 2011, albeit flightless. The last flight of an Albanian F-7A took place on December 2, 2002.

After the end of the Cultural Revolution, the long planned modernization measures could be tackled in 1976. The new model J-7II received a more powerful, more durable Wopen-WP-7B drive, an improved ejection seat and two additional 30 mm cannons. Optical differences were the canopy that could be opened to the rear and the brake screen container located above the engine outlet . The wheels of the chassis had a smaller diameter so that they could only be used from paved areas. The export versions developed from this were tailored to the individual requirements of the user countries, for example through modified armament or improved avionics .

From 1981 the development line of the J-7 went in different directions. The J-7III , which was intended exclusively for the Chinese armed forces, was based heavily on the MiG-21MF. The radar used is a replica of the Soviet RP-22 and the Wopen-WP-13 engine is a replica of the R-13-300. The rudder unit has been enlarged and the fuel tank is located in the back bulge, as on the MF. The armament consists mainly of guided air-to-air missiles or bombs carried on four pylons under the wings. In addition, a container with a 23mm cannon can be installed under the hull. The prototype first flew on April 26, 1984.

The specimens intended for export were equipped with western electronics with the help of Grumman and Rockwell and have a richer range of weapons. This version, known as the F-7M Airguard , has been sold since 1986 and has been modernized ever since.

In 1990 the J-7E took off on its maiden flight, the main difference being the double delta shape of the wings. The sweep of the outer wing edges has been reduced to 42 °. The wing area increased from 23 to 24.88 m². A more powerful Wopen-WP-7F engine serves as the drive . In 1993 the J-7E went to the Chinese armed forces and was released for export as the F-7MG . In 2006, the Bangladesh Air Force received 16 F-7MGs from China, after the country received some F-7Ms and two FT-7 trainer aircraft in the early 1990s.

Versions

J-7I (F-7A)

First production version from 1966, identical to the MiG-21F-13.

J-7II (F-7B)

Modified version from 1976. From 1982 80 pieces were exported as F-7B to Egypt, about half were passed on to Iraq together with some FT-7. The F-7B had been converted for use by French Matra Magic or American Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and equipped with more modern avionics from Great Britain and Italy.

J-7III

1984 version for the Chinese armed forces, based on the MiG-21MF. It has a larger fuel supply and a modified air inlet cone for the JL-7 radar used. Modernized ejection seat of type HYT-4 and better avionics (angle of attack sensor, radar warning receiver, flight data recorder FJ-1 , weapon computer coupled with HUD ).

F-7M Airguard

Export version based on the J-7II, equipped with a head-up display with integrated weapon computer HUDWAC for up to 32 weapon parameter functions , Skyranger range- finding radar with coupled HUD and flight data computer. At four wing pylons can PL-2 , - PL-2A -, PL-2B -, PL-5 - or PL-7 -air-air missile to be carried, the conversion to Matra Magic or AIM-9 Sidewinder is possible. For example, F-7Ms were delivered to Iraq and in 1987 also to Iran (21 pieces).

JJ-7 (FT-7)

Two-seater school version from 1982, similar to the MiG-21UM, but with stabilizing surfaces at the rear. The Iran in 1987 received four and seven 1993 FT-7 and went to Sudan in 1987 two, whose number has been increased from 1997 to 2000 again.

F-7P Skybolt

Specially made for the Pakistan Air Force F-7M from 1988 with 24 modifications, including a Martin Baker ejection seat.

F-7PM

Export version for Pakistan from 1994 with new navigation system and Grifo radar.

J-7E (F-7MG)

Version from 1990 with double delta wings and nose flaps for slow flight capabilities.

J-7FS

Version with air inlet placed under the fuselage to make space for a long-range radar. The first flight took place in June 1998.

Technical specifications

Chengdu J-7I

Parameter	Chengdu F-7M data
crew	1
length	14.89 m
Wingspan	7.15 m
height	4.10 m
Wing area	23.00 m²
Wing loading	327.43 kg / m² (with normal takeoff weight)
Mass-performance ratio	125.89 kg / kN (with normal takeoff weight)
Empty mass	5,275 kg
normal takeoff mass	7,531 kg
maximum take-off mass	8,150 kg
drive	a Wopen WP-7B (BM)
Thrust	59.82 kN with afterburner 43.15 kN without afterburner
Top speed	2,175 km / h at an altitude of 12,500 m, 1,100 km / h near the ground
Rate of climb	180 m / s
Landing speed	260 km / h
Service ceiling	18,200 m
Use radius	450 km
Transfer range	1,740 km

Armament

Fixed guns

• 1–2 × 30 mm automatic cannons type 30-1 (copy NR-30) with 60 rounds of ammunition each

Gun loading of 1000 kg at three to five external load stations

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × start rails for 1 × Matra R.550 “Magic” each - infrared-controlled for short distances
• 2 × start rails for 1 × EOTDC PL-2B each (copy Wympel R-3) - infrared controlled for short distances
• 2 × start rails for 1 × EOTDC PL-5B / C / E each (improved copy of Wympel R-3) - infrared controlled for short distances
• 2 × start rails for 1 × CATIC PL-8 each - infrared- controlled for short distances

Air-to-surface guided missile

• 1 × C-802 anti-ship missile

External container

• 2 × drop-off additional tanks with 720 liters (190 US gallons) capacity for kerosene

Web links

Commons : Chengdu J-7  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Aircraft that made history - MiG-21 "Fishbed" in Aircraft No. 77, Aerospace Publishing 1994, p. 2140
2. ↑ Holger Müller: MiG-21 in action - Europe 1. In: Flieger Revue Extra No. 34, Möller 2011, ISSN  0941-889X , pp. 64-66.
3. ↑ Holger Müller: MiG-21 in action - Part 2: Middle East and Africa. In: Flieger Revue Extra No. 23, Möller 2008, ISSN  0941-889X , p. 12.
4. ↑ Holger Müller: MiG-21 in action - Part 2: Middle East and Africa. In: Flieger Revue Extra No. 23, Möller 2008, ISSN  0941-889X , pp. 19 and 27.