JH-7 News & Discussions

[Beidou2020]

PLA introduces JH-7A2 fighter bomber at Airshow China; updated version carries extra surface attack weapons
GT staff reporters in Zhuhai
21:59 Oct 02 2021

Fighter bombers attached to a naval aviation brigade under the PLA Northern Theater Command fly in line formation during a recent combat readiness patrol recently.Photo:China Military
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force for the first time revealed details on the latest variant of the JH-7 fighter bomber, designated the JH-7A2, at the ongoing Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

Displayed at the outdoor exhibition area of the air show, the aircraft that looks nearly identical to the JH-7 is labeled as the JH-7A2, the Global Times found.

According to the description board next to the aircraft, the JH-7A2 fighter bomber is developed based on the JH-7A, and it further improved its surface attack capability by becoming capable of carrying extra surface attack weapons including stand-off air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs and munitions dispensers.

The main missions of the JH-7A2 are maritime and land attack, according to the description.

In August 2019, the JH-7A2 participated in the Aviadarts competition in Russia as a part of the International Army Games 2019, the Xinhua News Agency reported at the time, without giving more details on the aircraft, including the difference between the JH-7A2 and the original JH-7A.

The JH-7A2 did not make further public appearance until Airshow China 2021.

With the latest variant of the JH-7 being introduced at the air show, analysts said that the JH-7 series will continue to serve in the PLA for a long time despite the commissioning of the more advanced J-16 multirole fighter jet.

 

[Beast]

I feel China shouldn't abandon and stop the production line of JH-7A. These plane is big and still many area possible to upgrade and meet future threat. It will also give China an option for exporting big long legged twin engine fighter bomber.

 

[Daniel808]

I feel China shouldn't abandon and stop the production line of JH-7A. These plane is big and still many area possible to upgrade and meet future threat. It will also give China an option for exporting big long legged twin engine fighter bomber.

I think, this JH-7A2 will be used as a Hi-Lo combination with J-16 in terms of Strike Fleet of Chinese Air Force

 

[Bilal9]

I feel China shouldn't abandon and stop the production line of JH-7A. These plane is big and still many area possible to upgrade and meet future threat. It will also give China an option for exporting big long legged twin engine fighter bomber.

The Chinese factories came up with this as a response to the SEPECAT Jaguar, but larger design as suited to Chinese doctrine at that time.

The design is getting sort of long-in-the-tooth. But evolutionary change is possible.

Look at how the original F-7 changed to a Guizhou JL-9 with minimal changes to Intakes, larger wings and control surfaces.

This early design was more similar to an F-7 in certain respects.

New improved design with much larger wings, tail feathers than F-7 and even more improved intakes (notice complete deletion of tail parachute pod)

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Dedicated strike plane has no place in today's world. Multi role like J-16 are far more versatile and far more aerodynamic. JH-7 is getting phased out. It's a very old design. Lacks aerodynamics.

 

[Beast]

Dedicated strike plane has no place in today's world. Multi role like J-16 are far more versatile and far more aerodynamic. JH-7 is getting phased out. It's a very old design. Lacks aerodynamics.

They offer the long legged and a huge airframe for more future avionics upgrade. In modern aerial warfare, stand off weapon are getting more and more prominent role! Dog fight are getting lesser and lesser. Soon emphasis on agility of fighter bomber will be less significant. Those fighter bomber if fully loaded with fuel and weapon payload, anyway will loses any agility not matter what.

The Chinese factories came up with this as a response to the SEPECAT Jaguar, but larger design as suited to Chinese doctrine at that time.

The design is getting sort of long-in-the-tooth. But evolutionary change is possible.

Look at how the original F-7 changed to a Guizhou JL-9 with minimal changes to Intakes, larger wings and control surfaces.

This early design was more similar to an F-7 in certain respects.

New improved design with much larger wings, tail feathers than F-7 and even more improved intakes (notice complete deletion of tail parachute pod)

Unfortunately, these are most point blank air defense fighter with limited air to ground role. Their payload, avionics and range will be limited. Same as their role will be restricted.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Photos taken from a recent exercise, Bohai Sea

 

[Bilal9]

Unfortunately, these are most point blank air defense fighter with limited air to ground role. Their payload, avionics and range will be limited. Same as their role will be restricted.

I was thinking more along third world or smaller air-forces as export products, these are better than nothing and will be economical choices for smaller air-forces where range (because of the size of the countries' borders) or avionics sophistication (because of skill shortage) may not be huge factors. Africa is still a large market for these plains as lead-in trainers slash air defense platforms in large number, owing to their economical acquisition costs.

Of course we have much more modern and far more capable basic platforms now, i,e. the JF-17. which are better than the Guizhou JL-9.

JF-17s were sold to Myanmar at $15 Million apiece (Mk.1 version) and Mk.3 may be more expensive of course.

I don't know what JL-9's were offered at....

 

[Shotgunner51]

large market for these plains as lead-in trainers slash air defense platforms in large number

Exactly, LCA/LIFT is the market to go! Just look at how many J-6, J-7, Mig-21, IAI Kfir, Areo L-39, Kawk 108/208 and such are flying in the world, just the volume for replacement alone is massive, not to mention customers (smaller air forces) that are new to fighters. The recent Malaysia tender on LCA/LIFT is an interesting specimen of this market segment.

I roughly compile a list of major LCA/LIFT available these days:

1. PAC JF-17
2. Boeing T-7A
3. Czech Aero L39NH
4. KAI FA-50
5. Saab Gripen
6. TAI Hürjet
7. Hongdu L-15
8. Leonardo M-346
9. HAL Tejas
10. Yakovlev Yak-130
11. Guizhou FTC-2000

Imho, if customer wants a "pure performance fighter", JF-17 and Gripen are top picks. But both are becoming quite expensive (latest blocks) hence they may face competition from medium birds like second-hand F-16, EFT or even brand new Mig-29/35 coming with huge bargain offer (due to falling Ruble exchange rate).

If customer wants a "budget fighter with some LIFT capability", like you've said FTC-2000 is the choice, especially if they have previous experience of using Soviet/Chinese jets.

 

[LKJ86]

Via @解放军报 from Weibo

 

[LKJ86]

Via @学习军团 from Weibo

 

[LKJ86]

Via @学习军团 from Weibo

 

[Deino]

A great aircraft ... by the way, does anyone know, when production of the JH-7A ended?

 

[johncliu88]

A great aircraft ... by the way, does anyone know, when production of the JH-7A ended?

According to Wikipedia, the last production stopped in 2017. The below page shows a lot detail information for this plane. Please take a look.

Wikipedia link

 

[LKJ86]

Via http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2022-04/24/content_10150025.htm