Regarding the JH7/FBC-1

Someone was interested to put this on a seperate thread.

While the plane does look aesthetically nice, it is overweight and the current maximum weapons payload sucks at about 5 tons. Somehow the requirement of a “light” bomber got lost in the translation. The avionics isn’t very reliable. Nonetheless, there is work on an improved version, the JH-7A, with additional stores and improved avionics (JL10A).

The PLAAF obviously preferred the SU30MKK, but the project persisted for some reasons:

1. The PLAN, which seems to get the smallest slice of the military budgets, cannot afford the SU30MKK.

2. The SU30MKK cannot currently fire the C801 and other indigenous Chinese sea skimming cruise missiles. However, it’s been known that the J11s have fired or launched various indigenous Chinese air to ground weapons, including types previously unknown, when the PROC engages in saber rattling against Taiwan.

3. There is always this thing about national pride and the need for self reliance.

I don’t know the exact numbers on service with PLAN. The numbers really vary from 12 in one site, to about forty in another, to even as much as 90.

The recent Blair decision to release shipments of the Spey turbofans and to license it production to China may be moot, although it’s an important key to allow for more JH7 production.

Even with reasons #2 and #3 in mind, it seems the interest among the Chinese for this craft is waning. I bet the JH7A project is either cancelled or would be cancelled. In any case, it has become redundant.

1.) The imminent release of the J10 with its multirole capability. The navalized version of the J10 may use twin RD33 variant engines instead of the the TVC AL31FN of the PLAAF. There was a report from one of the aviation magazines (Flight International?) of a shipment of RD33/RD43(?) engines purported to be for a new Chinese fighter project. The article points that this fighter is the J10 (not the FC-1 with the RD93). My speculation is that the engines are headed for a navalized variant of the J10. In any case, it’s speculated that the weapons payload is 6.8 metric tons, greater than 5 metric tons of the current JH7.

2.) The recent licensing of Zhuk M will give later production batches of the J11/SU27SK a better multirole capability, which will probably raise the J11 to SU27SMK levels. (Some of the SU27s the Russians delivered to China were reported to be SU27SMK with Zhuk 27 intended for long term evaluation.) The current early J11 production batches however, are still in the basic SU27SK level according to some websites, which is contradicted by the observation that J11s have fired a variety of air to ground rockets and bombs, indicating some advanced improvement in their radar and electronics not previously reported. It’s logical to assume the J11 will be adapted to fire indigenous missiles and should have logistical compatibility with the J10. Weapons payload is about 6.5 metric tons I think.

3.) Upgrading the J8II/J8B to the Zhuk M may give it a better air to ground capability. The J8 isn’t a very agile plane anyway and much better placed on a hit and run BVR role. In that sense it is a logical candidate for a ground attack role. The J8IIM currently can fire unguided munitions in a ground attack role. The PLAN currently has two seater J8s with midflight refueling capability.

4.) Related to number #3 is a new ground attack variant of the J8, called the J8IIIH. That’s probably the one seen in artist pictures with canards.

Some people believed that the shipment of RD33 was supposed to be earmarked for the J8IIIH, but that seems unlikely now that the PLA Daily announced that the type will have an indigenous engine. It’s most probably an uprated WP13 with 17,000lbs thrust each, or the highly secretive WP14. It also seems sensible to bring the entire estimated 200 plus fleet of existing J8IIs to this standard. Once the J11s and J10s assume the fighter interception role, the J8s can be relegated to attack roles.

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