- Yes
- No
- yes
- no
Nanchang J-12 (1970 non-afterburning)
The J-12 project was launched after the failure of the more ambitious J-11 project in 1969, which required STOL light fighter jets to be able to take off and participate in air guerrilla warfare under harsh runway conditions. The first non afterburner engine production variant was created in 1970. The normal takeoff weight of the J-12 is 4450 kilograms, while the empty weight is only 3100 kilograms, occupying the title of “lightest” supersonic fighter in the world.
Due to its lightweight body, relatively high T/W ratio, and relatively good acceleration, even using the original non afterburner engine (Wobon WP-6B, Chinese produced Tumansky RD-9BF-811), it can still produce a good T/W ratio, with the engine producing 3454kgf. This allows the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 1.22 Mach at 10800 meters.
This aircraft exhibits good maneuverability with a continuous turning radius of 1140 meters at 5000 meters. It is equipped with two AAMs (PL-2 or PL-5 models), one door 23mm and one door 30mm Type-30 (China NR-30). Due to its small size, intake design, and low weight design, it is not equipped with a radar.
Spoiler
Crew: 1
Length: 10.664 m (34 ft 11 in) excluding pitot probe
Wingspan: 7.192 m (23 ft 7 in)
Height: 3.706 m (12 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 16.0 m2 (172 sq ft)
Empty weight: 3,100 kg (6,834 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 5,295 kg (11,673 lb)
Fuel Capacity: 1250kg
Powerplant: 1 × Wopen WP-6B non-afterburning turbojet, 3454 kgf thrust
Maximum speed: Mach 1.22 (1305.4 km/h) at 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
VNe: Mach 1.5
Range: 1,385 km maximum estimated range on internal fuel
Service ceiling: 16,870 m (55,350 ft) service ceiling.
Rate of climb: 160 m/s
Take-off run: 450 m (1,480 ft)
Armament: x1 30mm (80 rounds per gun), x1 23mm (120 rounds per gun), x2 missiles (PL-2 or PL-5 model)
Turn radius: 1140m
J-12I (1975, afterburning)
The improved engine of J-12, named “J-12I”, replaces the previous engine with an afterburner Woburn WP-6Z engine. The engine outputs a maximum thrust of 4050 kgf during afterburner, increasing its maximum speed to 1.386 Mach, but also reducing its non afterburner maximum speed to 0.95 Mach, as its non afterburner engine thrust is reduced to 2500 kgf.
Engine improvements like this have also modified the nose with an impact cone to improve its high-speed aerodynamics and engine performance. In the new nose cone, it is equipped with a small radio ranging device that can be used for ground attacks.And this also significantly increases its acceleration. At an altitude of 5000 meters, it can accelerate from Mach 0.9 to Mach 1.2 in 65 seconds。
And the F-5A in the United States takes 140 seconds to accelerate from Mach 0.9 to Mach 1.2. And this improved version also adds an AAM under the fuselage, bringing the total number of missiles it can carry to 3.
Spoiler
Crew: 1
Length: 10.665 m (34.99 ft) excluding pitot probe
Wingspan: 7.192 m (23 ft 7 in)
Height: 3.706 m (12 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 16.0 m2 (172 sq ft)
Empty weight: 3,172 kg (6,993 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 5,295 kg (11,673 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Wopen WP-6Z afterburning turbojet, 4050 kgf thrust with afterburner, 2500 kgf without afterburner.
Maximum speed: Mach 1.386 (1483 km/h) at 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
Fuel Capacity: 1250kg
VNe: Mach 1.5
Range: 1,167 km (725 mi; 630 nmi) maximum estimated range on internal fuel
Service ceiling: 17,410 m (57,120 ft) service ceiling.
Rate of climb: 180 m/s (35,000 ft/min) maximum
Take-off run: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Armament: x1 30mm (80 rounds per gun), x1 23mm (120 rounds per gun), x3 missiles (PL-2 or PL-5 model), 3 total hardpoints for rocket pods or bombs
Relevant photos of J-12/J12I ↓
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