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XAC JH-7 | Interdictor and maritime attack aircraft

XAC JH-7
XAC JH-7

Militarymedia.net | The JH-7 has been in development since the mid-1970s to meet the requirements of the Chinese air force and naval aviation for an all-weather interdictor. The JH-7 resembles an upgraded Jaguar SEPECAT. Its projected performance is close to that of the Tornado IDS, albeit with a reduced payload, but with a longer refueling range. In China it is known as Fei Bao or Flying Leopard. In the West this plane is referred to as the Flounder.

The JH-7 has a range of locally developed systems and equipment; these include the JL-10A multi-mode radar, Blue Sky low-altitude radar/forward-looking infrared navigation pod and inertial navigation/GPS system. The Xian WS-9 engine is a licensed Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan. Although the prototype reportedly first flew in 1988, the program was plagued by technical problems throughout the 1990s, leading China to consider alternative fighters from Russia in the form of the two-seat Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30. Surprisingly, the Sukhoi acquisition has not ended the JH-7 program. The possible revival of the JH-7 stems from the PLA's desire to modernize its air force, and the need for China's aerospace industry to be able to offer more modern fighters for export.

XAC JH-7
XAC JH-7

The decision to feature the JH-7 prominently at the Zhuhai air show in 1998 was accompanied by a modest order for the type. With the PLAAF's acquisition of the Su-30 for the long-range strike role, the JH-7 was acquired for Chinese naval aviation, with figures reported between 25 and 32 aircraft for a regiment. As a result, China's naval aviation received a powerful long-range maritime strike capability. The JH-7 is armed with either the C-802 missile or the KR-1 supersonic missile (the latter being the Russian Krypton Kh-31P/AS-17 version). The introduction of the JH-7 affected the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait, and beyond to the South China Sea.

During the 1995-1996 Chinese drills near Taiwan, Chinese television briefly showed the JH-7 dropping a clutch of free-falling general purpose bombs.

XAC JH-7
XAC JH-7

However, the JH-7 lacks radar-guided air-to-air missiles, which makes it vulnerable to other fighters common in the region such as the F-16. China is looking for aircraft with multi-role capabilities. In 2012 China obtained from Russia a total of 76 Su-30MKK for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and 24 Su-30MK2 for the Navy. Also in 2012 the domestic production of the J-16 multi-role fighter began.

The JH-7 is being proposed for export as the FBC-1 Flying Leopard.

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