- Yes
- No
Background
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In 1988, the JJ-5 aircraft was officially discontinued and Factory 320’s K-8 aircraft made significant advancements. As a result, the Air Force agreed to develop a domestically-produced aircraft based on the K-8, equipped with domestic engines and electronic equipment. Following the successful maiden flight of the K-8, the Air Force recommended in the demonstration report that the JL-8 aircraft should inherit the K-8’s advantages and that the engine and its finished products should be localized through technical means to develop the JL-8. Throughout the development process, the selection of the engine posed the greatest challenge. After numerous demonstrations, it was decided to test the Russian АI-25TLK engine.
The JL-8 project received official approval in 1992. Four years later, in 1996, the technical evaluation of the JL-8, which was equipped with the АI-25TLK engine, was concluded to fulfill the Air Force’s requirements. The evaluation of the AI-25TLK engine itself was finalized in December 1997. Finally, in 1998, the design and development of the JL-8 were fully completed. Subsequently, the first batch of eight aircraft was delivered in June 1998. The JL-8 aircraft serves as the primary training aircraft for both the Chinese Air Force and Naval Aviation Force.
Technical Data
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Specifications
Crew - 2 Pilots
Length - 11.6 m
Height - 4.21 m
Wingspan - 9.63 m
Empty Weight - 2,910 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 4,686 kg
Engine - 1 x Ivchenko AI-25 TLK Turbofan Engine (2500 kgf at sea level) or 1 x WS-11 Turbofan Engine (Licensed copy)
Max Speed - 800 km/h (Sea Level)
Range - 1,400 km (Without Drop Tanks)
Service Ceiling - 12,000 m
Armament
1 x PC-2A 23mm Cannon Gunpod (One on Center Pylon)
2 x PL-5EII
2 x PL-7
2 x 250-3 kg bombs
2 x 250 Liter Drop Tanks
2 x 90mm HF-7D Rocket Pods
Flares
Avionics
CCIP for all Weaponry
Images
Sources
Spoiler
(Book) Chinas Navy Ships and Aircraft of the Peoples Republic of China, 1955-2021, Page B-13
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft, Vol.3 - Page 217-218