Q-5F

[Miside]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

• Yes
• No

Given the lack of air-to-air missiles, limited 18 large-caliber countermeasures, and only two deployable air-to-ground munitions per sortie, I believe its BR shouldn’t go above 11.0.

Possible BR?

• 1.10.7
• 2.11.0
• 3.Not among them

                                    Introduce

Spoiler

The Q-5, initially designated as “Xiongying 302” during its development phase, was a Chinese attack aircraft developed based on the J-6 fighter, incorporating Western-inspired attack aircraft design concepts. The aircraft replaced the Soviet-style nose air intake with two side-mounted air intakes, redesigned the fuselage structure for improved integration, added bulletproof armor, bulletproof glass, and bombing/gunnery sights, while retaining the J-6’s engine and tail design. Externally, the Q-5 appeared as a combination of a newly designed forward fuselage mated to the J-6’s engine and rear section.

After finalizing the preliminary layout in 1958, a wooden prototype was completed in Shenyang that November. By 1960, design drawings, calculations, and 80% of components for three prototypes were finished. Production later shifted to Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Factory.

At the August 1961 Beidaihe conference of the Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND), the program was suspended, leaving only 14 personnel including Lu Xiaopeng to continue development. Work resumed in late 1962.

The first prototype was assembled by July 1963, with successful maiden flight achieved on June 5, 1965. After state certification, limited production of 10 aircraft was authorized in 1966. Following further testing, the Q-5 entered mass production in 1968 with approval from the Central Military Commission and China’s national leadership, becoming the PLAAF’s primary attack aircraft and marking China’s breakthrough in indigenous supersonic jet attack aircraft development.

In the 1970s, China began researching laser-guided bombs but progressed slowly. By the 1990s, inspired by the effectiveness of precision weapons in modern conflicts, the PLAAF accelerated development of guided munitions. On December 18, 1996, COSTIND approved the laser-guided bomb system development, comprising bombs, airborne laser targeting pods, ground-based laser designators.

The Q-5 series had evolved through multiple variants including the Q-5D, developed from the CC Project (Q-5 upgrade with domestic navigation/attack systems). Following the Q-5I’s certification in 1984, further improvements incorporated a Doppler navigation/bombing system. The CC Project integrated a domestic HUD and air data computer by 1992, though not widely deployed.

The Q-5D specifically addressed navigation and range limitations by adding a DG-1 Doppler/GPS integrated navigation system, enlarged 2×1,140L drop tanks, and 4×250kg bomb capacity. It incorporated seven new systems including Doppler radar, navigation computers, and GPS antennas, significantly enhancing navigation accuracy and combat radius. Becoming the primary Q-5 variant in service, its development was approved in November 1996, with first flight on July 22, 1997 (test pilot Zheng Jinliang), entering service from 1998.
（Q-5D photo)

The Q-5F variant, derived from the Q-5D, featured a dedicated pylon for laser targeting pods. First flown on August 2000, it enabled laser designation for precision weapons when paired with Q-5E or other platforms. The Q-5E variant focused on laser-guided bomb carriage capabilities.

The Q-5F shares minimal differences with the Q-5D. Key upgrades include the addition of a laser targeting pod, along with improvements to the fire control system, display systems, data bus, and dual-control stick system, while other equipment underwent adaptive modifications.

Powerplant:
Powered by two WP-6A turbojet engines, the Q-5F achieves a maximum speed of Mach 1.2 and a maximum takeoff weight of 11,830 kg.

Armament:

• 2 × 23mm cannons.
• A ventral hardpoint capable of carrying 4 × 250 kg bombs (inherited from the Q-5D).
• Two main wing hardpoints, each capable of mounting:
  • JJ/TL-10A Multi-role Missile (unique to the Q-5F),
  • 90-1 or 130-type rocket pods,
  • Alternatively, external fuel tanks.

Distinctive Features

• The Q-5F’s tail lacks an IFF antenna but is equipped with dual-warning antennas.
• The JJ/TL-10A Multi-role Missile stands out as the Q-5F’s signature weapon.
  Actually, this missile is the YJ-9E. It was initially designated under a different name in its early stages and have been deployed on the Q-5F for testing purposes.
  It features:
  • A TV-guided seeker / An active radar seeker / A semi-active laser terminal guidance
  • Total weight: 105 kg(warhead: 30 kg)
    -The missile warhead can be replaced with a semi-armor-piercing warhead / penetration warhead / blast warhead.
    • Range:
      15 km (against warships, ground vehicles/armored targets, helicopters)
      25 km (against fixed-wing aircraft, UAV)
  • Solid-fuel rocket engine,
  • Maximum speed: 0.7 Mach.
    

                                  Specification

Aircraft Basic Specifications

Spoiler

• Crew：1
• Engine Model: WP-6A
• Maximum Speed: Mach 1.2
• Wingspan: 9.70 m
• Length 16.73 m
• Height: 4.51 m
• Wing Area 27.95 square m
• Main Wheel Track: 4.40 m
• Front Wheel Track: 4.10 m
• Empty Weight: 6,375 kilograms
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 11,830 kg
• Service Ceiling: 16,500 m

Weapon Specifications

Spoiler

• 2 × 23mm Cannons
• 1 × Laser Targeting Pod
• 2 × JJ/TL-10A Multi-role Missile
• 4 × 250-2 Bombs
• 4 × 250-3 Bombs
• 2 × 130-1 Rocket Pods
• 2 × 90-1 Rocket Pods
• 2 × External Fuel Tanks

Survivability

18 × Large-Caliber Countermeasure Flares

                                        Photo

Spoiler

Sources:

Spoiler

https://my.mbd.baidu.com/r/1Do4imwupMI?f=cp&rs=4278232066&ruk=ZCilkux6jMlhIpuPGp6dEw&u=d494966285aaa2a0

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/436969244

https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/zhengming/2020-12-14/doc-iiznezxs6812631.shtml

魏刚, 陈应明, 张维. 强5E/F[M]//中国飞机全书 第3卷. 北京: 航空工业出版社, 2011.10: 157

[1]老毕，刘明.东风乍起——强五传记[J].海陆空天惯性世界,2013,000(001):65-83.

老毕, 刘明. 东风乍起中国强5强击机传记[J]. 海陆空天惯性世界, 2016(7):48-67

环球飞行杂志社. 强5系列飞机[M]//中国飞机（珍藏版）. 北京: 环球飞行杂志社, 2009.11:388-390

[iboopy]

I think 10.0 would be fair for it

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 would be nice

[Miraz05]

+1. In my opinion 10.0 or 10.3 would be a better BR for this jet.

[JamesPond1200-psn]

I love the Q-5, and this looks like a really interesting missile. +1

[DarKBird]

Why not, although just 2 A2G is… kinda of the nothingburdger tbh. Especially in 11.0 range (for comparison F-5E is just 0.3 higher and got 4 AGB-65Bs)

[Savage_SRC]

+1, in folder to Q-5L.

@DarKBird

just 2 A2G is… kinda of the nothingburdger tbh. Especially in 11.0 range (for comparison F-5E is just 0.3 higher and got 4 AGB-65Bs)

Well, there is AJS37 that can take up to 4x AGM-65As at 10.7, yet u will have to sacrifice flare/chaff and gun pod for these. Here, u get built-in cannons and flares/chaff, on top of targeting pod with thermals that should be the same as on Q-5L. TL-10A is also sort of lighter Maverick with prob less effective range, but at about 10.3 it would be sufficent.

[BoAd]

+1. I could see it as 10.0/10.3 for air and 10.7 for ground

@Miside

An active radar seeker

so you can use against air?

[Miside]

After being equipped with an active radar seeker, this missile can engage aerial targets within a certain range. However, the Q5F aircraft cannot support this capability, as it lacks an onboard radar to provide data link guidance before the missile’s radar activates. Perhaps another aircraft, such as the L15, could be used instead.

[OctopusDaddy]

What about comparing it to the A-10A which can carry x6 AGM-65B with Aim-9s and even over 400 countermeasures at 10.3. Compared to the Q-5 (This F or even the existing L) which Gaijin gives 18 countermeasures , no missiles and maybe 2 guided munitions.

[Savage_SRC]

Well, you see, subsonic attacker ≠ supersonic attacker.

Having more AGMs is better, yet their maximum effective range and lock/lead quality are quite questionable, given Bs are among early ones.

Here, you get supersonic attacker (based on fighter) that launches AGMs at greater ranges thanks to the speed.

A2A loadout is questionable. There is a bug report stating Q-5L should be able to get AAMs, similar to those found on A-5C (which is earlier Q-5 version for Pakistan). I don’t think Chinese took out fire control systems for these, so once it is fixed, A2A loadout of Q-5L/F shall be even better.

I compared it to the most approximate counterpart, which AJ37 is, but if AAMs are added to Q-5s, L model becomes better than AJ37 in almost every aspect, while also being 10.3 supersonic attacker.

[OctopusDaddy]

The supersonic speed is sort of pointless.

• You cant drop ordinance at supersonic speeds (You need to be subsonic to drop anything)
• The LGBs of the Q-5L are not F&F and need to maintain targeting pod laser lock to guide on target. They are also not powered so you have to drop them at at least 45 angle from the target.
• The Q-5 compresses at high speed and becomes extremely unmaneuverable, meaning you can only fly straight paths making dodging missiles or gun AA impossible.
• Flying low at high speed risks overshooting your target too quick and breaking the laser lock due to terrain or building obstruction.
• Flying a straight path at mid altitude gives the best chance of killing tanks, but that also means relying on 18 CMs to save you from ~10.3 BR AA.
• You could go high altitude above AA range, but then you have to go so high that it takes a minute for the bomb to reach the ground forcing you to maintain laser lock the entire time.

[Savage_SRC]

Speaking of Q-5L, I know LGBs ain’t FnF. However, platform itself is still more potent than that of A-10 (excluding flares and such). You would compare L model to, say, A-7E with its FLIR targeting pod and 5 AGM-62As which are FnF. It is solid for its BR (10.7 for A-7) yet it is far from OP given what kind of SPAA you get around those BRs and what skill it takes to avoid AA. AGM-62A also has an unreliable seeker.

Speaking of Q-5F, it is in better state given TL-10A. In fact, comparison of TL-10A and AGM-65B is inappropriate as the former was showcased in mid 2000s and the latter entered service in early 1970s, so I am not gonna talk about how much better in guidance aspects TLs are.

[OctopusDaddy]

Its likely if this Q-5F comes to the game with x2 F&F missiles, Gaijin will release it as exactly the same as the Q-5L but over BR’d to 11.3.

[Jame_Ali]

+1

[Jame_Ali]

Let me supplement the missile payload. The proposer of the Q5F previously sent me reference images of the Q5D’s missile payload. He might have forgotten about these images and thus did not include them in the proposal. The资料 shows that the Q5D is capable of carrying PL5 and PL7 missiles, mounted on the wingtip pylons 1 and 2. Since the Q5F is an improved variant based on the Q5D, it also possesses the capability to carry PL5 and PL7 missiles. Additionally, considering the community management’s stance that vehicles should theoretically be equipped with weapons they are capable of carrying—even if the vehicle never actually deployed them or if the operating country did not purchase them but the vehicle can use such weapons—the developers may still consider adding these weapons to the vehicle’s arsenal. Therefore, I believe PL5 and PL7 missiles should be included in the usable weapons for the Q5F.

[头都给你打歪]

+1，With PL7 missiles, the Air BR is 10.3; without missiles, the Air BR is 10.0, while the Ground BR remains between 10.3 and 10.7.

[PARDUS_IX]

+1
Should definitely fill gap between Q-5L and JH-7 in rank VII.