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Yes
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No
Background
Spoiler
In 1974, the Guizhou Aircraft Factory undertook an endeavor to enhance the production of the J-6 II (J-6B) all-weather interceptor. As a result, the aircraft was transformed into the J-6 IV.
Significant alterations were made to the nose shape in order to enhance the aerodynamics of the fighter. The air intake was redesigned with a sharp lip to maximize the cross-section of the inlet duct. The upper ‘fat lip’ tracking antenna radome was also sharpened and extended forward, while the standard center-body radome of the J-6 II, which had a double curvature, was replaced with a perfectly conical blunt radome. Additionally, a flatter and more streamlined canopy was installed.
Considerable attention was devoted to improving the aircraft’s performance in the field. The engineers drew from their experience in the Vietnam War, where Vietnamese fighters often had to operate from short ‘ambush strips’. Consequently, provisions were made for jet-assisted take-off (JATO) bottles, and disc brakes were fitted to the mainwheels. Furthermore, enhancements were made to the engine starting system, as well as the radar homing and warning system.
The J-6 IV was equipped with two PL-2 AAMs mounted on pylons outside of the drop tanks, in addition to its two long-barrelled Type 23-2 cannons. Chinese sources have reported that a new radar system, developed domestically, was installed on this aircraft. The J-6 IV prototype, painted entirely white and marked as ‘20158 Red’, successfully completed its maiden flight on September 24th, 1970. This particular aircraft is now on display at the Datangshan museum. Following an extensive testing phase, the J-6 IV entered limited production and was officially adopted by the PLAAF in 1977. Guizhou continued manufacturing this aircraft until the early 1980s.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 1
Length - 13.025 m
Height - 3.385 m
Wingspan - 9 m
Empty Weight - 5,661 kg
Gross Weight - 7,853 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 9,332 kg
Powerplant - 2 x WP-6A Turbojet Engines (25.5 kN dry, 31.9 kN wet) (One source states 29.4 kN dry, 36.8 kN wet)
Max Speed - 1,434 km/h at 10,000 m (One sources states 1,568 km/h)
Service Ceiling - 17,300 m
Rate of Climb - 176 m/s at 5000 m
Range with Auxiliary Fuel Tanks - 1,647 km
Armament
2 x 23-2 23mm Cannons (73 rounds each)
2 x PL-2 AAMs
2 x 760 L Drop tanks
Avionics
1st Gen RWR
SL-2J Radar
Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
(Book) Chinas Navy Ships and Aircraft of the Peoples Republic of China, 1955-2021, Page B-6
(Book) Chinese Aircraft China’s Aviation Industry Since 1951. - Page 41 - 43
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft, Vol 3. - Page 23 - 24