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Chinese name: Jianjiji-7 (Fighter aircraft 7) Westernised designation: F-7 |
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TYPE: Single-seat fighter and close support aircraft. PROGRAMME: Soviet licence to manufacture MiG-21F-13 and its R-11F-300 engine granted to Chinese government 1961, when some pattern aircraft and CKD (component knocked down) kits delivered, but necessary technical documentation not completed; assembly of first J-7 using Chinese-made components began early 1964; original plan in 1964-65 was for Chengdu and Guizhou factories to become main airframe/engine production centres for J-7, backed up by Shenyang until these were fully productive, but plans affected by onset of cultural revolution. Static testing completed November 1965; first flight of Shenyang-built J-7, 17 January 1966; Chengdu production of J-7 I began June 1967; development of J-7 II began 1975, followed by first flight 30 December 1978 and production approval September 1979; development of F-7M and J-7 III started 1981; J-7 III first flight 26 April 1984; F-7M revealed publicly October 1984, production go-ahead December 1984, named Airguard early 1986; first F-7P deliveries to Pakistan 1988; first F-7MPs to Pakistan mid-1989; F-7MG public debut November 1996. CURRENT VERSIONS: J-7: Initial licence version using Chinese-made components; built at Shenyang; few only. J-7 I: Initial Chengdu version for PLA Air Force (1967), with variable intake shock cone and second 30 mm gun; not accepted in large numbers, due mainly to unsatisfactory escape system (front-hinged canopy, to which ejection seat was attached). F-7A: Export counterpart of J-7 I, supplied to Albania and Tanzania. J-7 II: Modified and improved development of J-7 I, with WP7B turbojet of increased thrust (43.2 kN; 9,700 lb st dry, 59.8 kN; 13,450 lb st with afterburning); 720 litre (190 US gallon; 158 Imp gallon) centreline drop tank for increased range; brake-chute relocated at base of rudder to improve landing performance and shorten run; rear-hinged canopy, jettisoned before ejection seat deploys; new Chengdu Type II seat offering ejection at zero height and speeds down to 135 kt (250 km/h; 155 mph); and new Lanzhou compass system. Small batch production (typically, 14 in 1989) may still continue, notwithstanding advent of J-7 III and J-7E. F-7B: Export version of J-7 II, with R550 Magic missile capability; supplied to Egypt and Iraq in 1982-83 and also to Sudan. F-7BS: Hybrid version supplied to Sri Lanka 1991: has F-7B fuselage/tail and Chinese avionics (no HUD and so on), combined with four-pylon wings of F-7M. Equips No. 5 Squadron. F-7M Airguard: Upgraded export version, developed from J-7 II; new avionics imported from May 1979 included GEC-Marconi Avionics HUDWAC (head-up display and weapon aiming computer); new ranging radar, air data computer, radar altimeter and IFF; more secure com radio; improved electrical power generation system for the new avionics; two additional underwing stores points; improved WP7B(BM) engine; birdproof windscreen; strengthened landing gear; ability to carry PL-7 air-to-air missiles; nose probe relocated from beneath intake to top lip of intake, offset to starboard. Exported to Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar and Zimbabwe. In production. Description applies to this version except where indicated. F-7P Airguard: Variant of F-7M (briefly called Skybolt), embodying 24 modifications to meet specific requirements of Pakistan Air Force, including ability to carry four air-to-air missiles (Sidewinders) instead of two and fitment of Martin-Baker Mk 10L ejection seat. Delivered 1988-91.] F-7MP: Further modified variant of F-7P; improved cockpit layout and navigation system incorporating Collins AN/ARN-147 VOR/ILS receiver, AN/ARN-149 ADF and Pro Line II digital DME-42. Avionics (contract for up to 100 sets) delivered to China from early 1989. FIAR Grifo 7 fire-control radar (range of more than 30 n miles; 55 km; 34 miles) for F-7P and MP ordered 1993, to replace GMAv Skyranger; began flight trials May 1996. J-7 III: Chinese equivalent of MiG-21MF, much redesigned from J-7 II with blown flaps and all-weather, day/night capability. Main improvements are change to WP13 engine with greater power; additional fuel in deeper dorsal spine; JL-7 (J-band) interception radar, with correspondingly larger nose intake and centrebody radome; sideways-opening (to starboard) canopy, with centrally located rearview mirror; improved HTY-4 low-speed/zero height ejection seat; more advanced fire-control system; twin-barrel 23 mm gun under fuselage (with HK-03D optical gunsight); broader-chord vertical tail surfaces, incorporating antennae for LJ-2 omnidirectional RWR in hemispherical fairing each side at base of rudder; increased weapon/stores capability (four underwing stations), similar to that of F-7M; and new or additional avionics (which see). Joint development by Chengdu and Guizhou (GAIC); entered PLA Air Force and Navy service from 1992; production continuing in 1996. J-7E: Upgraded version of J-7 II with modified, double-delta wing (see drawing), retaining existing leading-edge sweep angle of 57° inboard but reduced sweep of only 42° outboard; span increased by 1.17 m (3 ft 10 in) and area by 1.88 m{2} (20.2 sq ft), giving 8.17 per cent more wing area; four underwing stations instead of two, outer pair each plumbed for 480 litre (127 US gallon; 106 Imp gallon) drop tank; new WP7F version of WP7 engine, rated at 44.1 kN (9,921 lb st) dry and 63.7 kN (14,330 lb st) with afterburning; armament generally as listed for F-7M, but capability extended to include PL-8 air-to-air missiles; g limits of 8 (up to M0.8) and 6.5 (above M0.8); avionics include head-up display and air data computer. Believed to have made first flight in 1990 and entered service 1993. In production. F-7MG: Improved version of F-7M (G suffix indicates gai: modified), combining double-delta wings of J-7E with upgraded avionics and other changes including uprated (WP13F) engine and leading/trailing-edge manoeuvring flaps. Said to have 45 per cent better manoeuvrability than F-7M. Public debut (aircraft 0142 and 0144) at China Air Show, Zhuhai, November 1996; discussions in progress at that time with Bangladesh and Pakistan as potential launch customers. F-7PG: Designation seen on one photograph in 1995. Presumably demonstrator to meet Pakistan Air Force requirement, based on F-7MG, but no orders announced up to early 1997. Super-7: Proposed development of F-7M (see 1995-96 and earlier Jane's); superseded by FC-1 (which see). JJ-7/FT-7: Tandem two-seat operational trainer, based on J-7 II and MiG-21US; developed at Guizhou and described under GAIC entry. CUSTOMERS: Several hundred built for Chinese air forces; over 400 exported to Albania (12 F-7A), Bangladesh (16 F-7M), Egypt (approximately 90 F-7B?), Iran (18 F-7M), Iraq (approximately 90 F-7B?), Myanmar (24 F-7M), Pakistan (20 F-7P and 60 F-7MP, all designated F-7P by PAF), Sri Lanka (four F-7BS), Sudan (15 F-7B; further seven delivered 1996), Tanzania (16 F-7A) and Zimbabwe (22 F-7M). Pakistan Air Force squadrons are No. 2 at Masroor, Nos. 18 and 20 at Rafiqui and No. 25 at Mianwali; F-7BSs serve with Sri Lanka's No. 5 Squadron. DESIGN FEATURES: Diminutive tailed delta (double-delta on J-7E and F-7MG), with clipped tips to mid-mounted wings; circular-section fuselage with dorsal spine; nose intake with conical centrebody; swept tail, with large vertical surfaces and ventral fin. Wing anhedral 2° from roots; incidence 0°; thickness/chord ratio approximately 5 per cent at root, 4.2 per cent at tip; quarter-chord sweepback 49° 6' 36" (reduced on J-7E/F-7MG outer panels); no wing leading-edge camber. FLYING CONTROLS: Manual operation, with autostabilisation in pitch and roll; hydraulically boosted inset ailerons; plain trailing-edge flaps, actuated hydraulically; forward-hinged door type airbrake each side of underfuselage below wing leading-edge; third, forward-hinged airbrake under fuselage forward of ventral fin; airbrakes actuated hydraulically; hydraulically boosted rudder and all-moving, trimmable tailplane. Leading/trailing-edge manoeuvring flaps on F-7MG. STRUCTURE: All-metal; wings have two primary spars and auxiliary spar; semi-monocoque fuselage, with spine housing control pushrods, avionics, single-point refuelling cap and fuel tank; blister fairings on fuselage above and below each wing to accommodate retracted mainwheels. LANDING GEAR: Inward-retracting mainwheels, with 600 x 200 mm tyres (pressure 11.50 bars; 167 lb/sq in) and LS-16 disc brakes; forward-retracting nosewheel, with 500 x 180 mm tyre (pressure 7.00 bars; 102 lb/sq in) and LS-15 double-acting brake. Nosewheel steerable +-47°. Minimum ground turning radius 7.04 m (23 ft 1{1/4} in). Tail braking parachute at base of vertical tail. POWER PLANT: One LMC (Liyang) WP7B(BM) turbojet (43.2 kN; 9,700 lb st dry, 59.8 kN; 13,448 lb st with afterburning) in F-7M; LMC WP13 turbojet (40.2 kN; 9,039 lb st dry, 64.7 kN; 14,550 lb st with afterburning) in J-7 III/F7-3; WP13F (44.1 kN; 9,921 lb st dry, 64.7 kN; 14,550 lb st with afterburning) in F-7MG. Total internal fuel capacity 2,385 litres (630 US gallons; 524.5 Imp gallons), contained in six flexible tanks in fuselage and two integral tanks in each wing. Provision for carrying a 500 or 800 litre (132 or 211 US gallon; 110 or 176 Imp gallon) centreline drop tank, and/or a 500 litre drop tank on each outboard underwing pylon. Maximum internal/external fuel capacity 4,185 litres (1,105 US gallons; 920.5 Imp gallons). ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only, on CAC zero-height/low-speed ejection seat operable between 70 and 459 kt (130 and 850 km/h; 81 and 528 mph) IAS. Martin-Baker Mk 10L seat in F-7P/MP. One-piece canopy, hinged at rear to open upward. J-7 III/F7-3 canopy opens sideways to starboard. SYSTEMS: Improved electrical system in F-7M, using three static inverters, to cater for additional avionics. Jianghuai YX-3 oxygen system. AVIONICS: Comms: GMAv AD 3400 UHF/VHF multifunction com, Chinese Type 602 IFF transponder; Type 605A (`Odd Rods' type) IFF in J-7 III. Radar: GMAv Type 226 Skyranger ranging radar in F-7M; FIAR Grifo 7 in F-7P/MP; Chinese JL-7 fire-control radar in J-7 III. GMAv Super Skyranger in F-7MG (look-down, shoot-down and track-while-scan capability). Flight: Navigation function of GEC-Marconi HUDWAC includes approach mode. WL-7 radio compass, XS-6A marker beacon receiver, Type 0101 HR A/2 radar altimeter and GMAv air data computer in F-7M. Beijing Aeronautical Instruments Factory KJ-11 twin-channel autopilot and FJ-1 flight data recorder in J-7 III. F-7MG suite includes VOR/DME/INS and Tacan. Instrumentation: GMAv Type 956 HUDWAC (head-up display and weapon aiming computer) in F-7M provides pilot with displays for instrument flying, with air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon aiming symbols integrated with flight-instrument symbology. It can store 32 weapon parameter functions, allowing for both current and future weapon variants. In air-to-air combat its four modes (missiles, conventional gunnery, snapshoot gunnery, dogfight) and standby aiming reticle allow for all eventualities. VCR and infrared cockpit lighting in F-7MG, for which licence-built Russian helmet sight, slaved to PL-9 AAM, is also in production. Self-defence: Skyranger ECCM in F-7M. Chinese LJ-2 RWR and GT-4 ECM jammer in J-7 III. ARMAMENT (F-7M): Two 30 mm Type 30-1 belt-fed cannon, with 60 rds/gun, in fairings under front fuselage just forward of wingroot leading-edges. Two hardpoints under each wing, of which outer ones are wet for carriage of drop tanks. Centreline pylon used for drop tank only. Each inboard pylon capable of carrying a PL-2, -2A, -5B or -7 missile (and PL-9 on F-7MG) or, at customer's option, an R550 Magic; one 18-tube pod of Type 57-2 (57 mm) air-to-air and air-to-ground rockets; one Type 90-1 (90 mm) seven-tube pod of air-to-ground rockets; or a 50, 150, 250 or 500 kg bomb. Each outboard pylon can carry one of above rocket pods, a 50 or 150 kg bomb, or a 500 litre drop tank. ARMAMENT (J-7 III): One 23 mm Type 23-3 twin-barrel gun in ventral pack. Five external stores stations can carry two to four PL-2 or PL-5B air-launched missiles; two or four Qingan HF-16B 12-round launchers for Type 57-2 or seven-round pods of Type 90-1 rockets; or two 500 kg, four 250 kg or ten 100 kg bombs, in various combinations with 500 litre (one centreline and/or one under each wing) or 800 litre (underfuselage station only) drop tanks.
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