- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
Upon the initial development of the “Flying Leopard,” the budget was famously referred to as “the poorest in history.” Consequently, the firing control system was tested on an H-5 plane from the 3rd Division of the HNA, at the very least to ensure it met the required standards for approval.
Although the 3rd Division of the Navy was withdrawn in 1985 in the course of the major disarmament, this “ownerless aircraft” still retained the number of the aircraft during its service in the army, and its name was changed to the “Eagle” weapon test aircraft, to test the matching work of the JH-7 fire control system with the 232H radar as the core and the YJ-81 air-to-ship missile. Under the technical guidance of the 603 Institution, the aircraft completed the first phase of modification work at the Shanghai 5702 Aviation Repair Plant, and completed the test launch verification of the YJ-81 in 1987, before the first flight of the JH-7.
The aircraft’s navigator’s station was removed, and instead, a large ogival radome with a pitot was installed in place of the nose glazing. This radome housed a Type 232H Eagle Eye fire control radar. Additionally, two pylons were added under the outer wings, allowing for the attachment of two YJ-8 anti-shipping missiles.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 1 Pilot, 1 Gunner
Length - 16.8 m
Height - 6.2 m
Wingspan - 21.45 m
Gross Weight - 12,890 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 21,200 kg
Engines - 2 x WP-5A Turbojet engines (26.48 kN)
Max Speed - 902 km/h
Range - 2,400 km
Service Ceiling - 12,500 m
Armament
1 x 23mm NR-23 cannon.
1 x 2 x 23mm NR-23 cannon in tail turret.
2 x Yingji-81 ASM. (Outboard Pylons)
12 x 100 kg FAB-100M-43 bombs.
8 x 250 kg FAB-250M-46 bombs.
4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-46 bombs.
1 x 1,500 kg FAB-1500M-46 bomb.
1 x 3,000 kg FAB-3000M-46 bomb
Avionics
232H Pulse Doppler Radar.
Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
(Book) Dragons Wings Chinese Fighter and Bomber Aircraft Development - Page 188
(Book) Chinese Aircraft China’s Aviation Industry Since 1951 - Page 118
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft, Vol 3. - Page 172