kungfugymnast
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I think you have under estimate the capabilities of J-8F and JH-7A, they may not be so maneuverable than 4th jet fighter but they have the range, capacity to house modern avionic and payload to complete a lot of modern task. All J-7 series plane have relegate to training role only. But the J-8 and JH-7A series still have plenty to offer. Their huge nose cone can house even AESA if needed. JH-7A combat radius is so good that even refuel pod is not needed. They can become very fearsome interceptor or carry out bomb attack when needed.
J-8F with guided glided bomb
JH-7A with precision land attack missile.
F-111G/F has even better range on internal fuel alone flying at low level supersonic that F-15E can't match. Yet US phased out the F-111F that could pull more than 5G better turn rate than J-8 & JH-7. Reason being when deployed to war out of sudden spotted and pursued by enemy fighters will be deadly. JH-7 even with PL-10 for self defense is useless against AMRAAM, its poor handling limit its evasive maneuver success rate. US fighters would launch 2 AMRAAM missiles at every target, you spoof 1 have to spoof the 2nd. US fighters always outnumbering their enemies.
J-7 sent to flight training school for new recruits fine. Modernizing J-8 and JH-7 is wasting resources. Present air to air tactics, if you put J-8 with AESA up against US Navy F/A-18E, the F18 launched 2 AIM-120C7 at every J-8, the J-8 needs to perform evasive maneuver turning inside missile while spoofing chaff. The J-8 could hardly pull 5G to get its back facing the AMRAAM before performing the move, probably missile already reaching its side exposing large wing surface giving large RCS to the missile's radar. J-8 pilot could only level flight and spoof chaff but side RCS is still larger and most likely hit by the AMRAAM. Getting splashed is 1 but if its entire squadron of J-8 destroyed (due to poor maneuverability unable to perform evasive maneuver), the US F18s would proceed into air to ground sorties destroying friendly tanks, supplies, base on the ground.