Rework J-7D: Reborn from the ashes in the form of J-7G

[ATRJX_友直友谅友多闻]

Whether based on historical facts (追逐光明的历程—歼7系列改进过程亲历记(下) .pdf - Google Drive Tu Jida. (2007). The Journey of Chasing Light—A Personal Account of the J-7 Series Improvement Process (Part 2). Aviation Archives (08), 12-21) (a memoir written by the chief designer of the J-7 series) or specific data within the game, the performance of J-7D’s maneuverability is approximately equivalent to the MiG-21MF, aka BR 10.3. This contradicts the common perception that the J-7D is a premium version of the J-7E also for the following reasons:

I. Maneuverability Performance
The J-7D shares the same issues as other MiG-21 variants, notably poor energy retention. As a MiG-21 at BR 11.0, there are currently two possible solutions:

1.Like the MiG-21 Bis, also at BR 11.0, a stronger engine with good energy generation ability alleviates the problem.
2.Like its Silver Lion line cousin, the J-7E, it could feature an excellent double delta wing design.

However, the J-7D still uses a delta wing design, and with WP-13F1 engine, its insufficient energy generation ability results in overall maneuverability that is completely inadequate at BR 11.0, with very poor performance in terms of agility.

II. Armament
The hallmark of the Chinese MiG-21 family, aka J-7s, is the PL-5B missile. The J-7D is also equipped with the Chinese-produced version of the Magic 1 missile: the PL-7. The PL-5B is undeniably a very powerful tail-chasing missile, but at BR 11.0, considering its much weaker maneuverability compared to the J-7E, also without all-aspect attack capability for compensation, it becomes one of the most inadequate fighters at this battle rate.

Its 23mm autocannon, while having much more ammunition compared to the 30mm cannon on the J-7E, is far less effective in terms of damage compared to its counterparts.

Conclusion:
Whether considering theoretical overall performance on paper or actual combat performance, the J-7D is entirely undeserving of a BR 11.0 rating. As the only premium aircraft in the Chinese tier VII, its combat performance is far inferior to any MiG fighter at the same rating.
Regarding the reworking of premium vehicles, it is encouraging that we already have precedents, such as the rebirth of the Swedish CV90105, which has become a very decent vehicle and a hallmark of War Thunder’s Swedish vehicles, even earning a beautiful sticker of best War Thunder Wiki.

Of course, we understand that production capacity is limited, and reworking a model is not a simple task. Therefore, it is recommended to use the J-7G, which has performance similar to the J-7E and requires only minor adjustments in appearance, as the choice for the reworked premium aircraft.

Would you like to see the rework of J-7D?

• Yes, I prefer to have a J-7G
• Yes, I have other opinions
• No, better keep the current one
• No, but J-7D do need more refinement
• Dunno/ Want to see the answer

[ATRJX_友直友谅友多闻]

Basic introduction of J-7G

I.Basic Information

According to the “Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft”:

J-7G from Ecy of CN Aero.pdf

The J-7G aircraft is primarily used to attack enemy bombers, attackers, and other targets to protect important friendly ground targets. It also coordinates with other aircraft for air superiority missions, providing cover for land, sea, and other ground forces in combat, and attacks enemy ground/sea targets.

The J-7G is an improved version of the J-7E, featuring all-aspect, all-altitude combat capabilities, enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of the aircraft. The most notable external difference between the J-7G and the J-7E is the J-7G’s integrated canopy.

The J-7G has undergone more than 30 improvements, including upgrades to its radar, HUD, and helmet-mounted sight, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s overall performance. The J-7G is powered by a WP-13F engine. Its electronic systems have been significantly altered, featuring a helmet-mounted sight, a new JL-7 series radar (also known as SY-80 radar) based on the Israeli EL/M2001 Doppler radar, a Type III IFF system, an all-aspect radar warning receiver, chaff/flare dispensers, and other self-defense equipment. The aircraft has five mount points, capable of carrying PL-8B air-to-air missiles 0with good off-boresight launch capability, as well as PL-5C air-to-air missiles or 500 kg low-drag bombs. Its self-defense armament includes a 30-1 autocannon with 60 rounds.

In November 2006, the J-7G aircraft was commissioned into the Air Force. In 2007, Sri Lanka purchased four J-7GS (S for Sri Lanka) aircraft from China. On September 10, 2008, a Sri Lankan Air Force pilot flying a J-7GS intercepted an incoming aircraft of the Tamil Tigers at night. At an altitude of approximately 500 meters, the onboard radar filtered out ground clutter to acquire the target, and an IR missile was launched, successfully shooting down a Czech-made Z-142 light aircraft.

II.Basic Performance:

Wingspan: 8.32 meters;

Length: 13.945 meters (excluding pitot tube);

Height: 4.1 meters;

Wing area: 24.88 square meters

Weight: Normal takeoff weight 7700 kg;

Normal landing weight 6500 kg; Maximum landing weight 7450 kg;

Fuel capacity 1926 kg (internal tanks); 3228 kg (with 3 external tanks)

Engine: WP-13F turbojet engine

Performance: maximum level flight speed 1200 km/h; Maximum Mach number 2.0,

maximum climb rate 165 m/s, service ceiling 17300 m;

takeoff run distance 650 m

Armament: Fixed armament includes one 30-1 autocannon on the right side of the fuselage with 60 rounds; four underwing hardpoints capable of carrying PL-2 series, PL-5 series (PL-5B/PL-5C), and PL-8 series short-range air-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, and bombs.

[Tdragon001]

strongly suggest
J7D is so week in 11.0
there is already precedents like cv90105

[想被玩战雷的漂亮姐姐包围]

The mid-tier premium aircraft in the Chinese lineup are indeed too weak for me to consider buying. If they were strengthened, then I would consider purchasing them.

[gultraman]

J-7G should be in TT and not made into a premium. There are export variants of J-7G like the F-7BGI that can be premium.

[Godvana]

The original CV90105 got replaced because it was in a fictional configuration. The J-7D on the other hand very much existed. They might remove it for sale and add a different premium, but that is another matter.

[Janos_Hunyadi]

J-7G will be a much better top-tier aircraft, compared to the J-7D. Otherwise, we may need another aircraft pack for CN.

[oom1992]

i disagree this idea but can exchange IR AAM instead PL-2 & PL-5B

I had an idea 4x PL-2 & PL-5B replace by PL-8 and max BR up to 11.0 (Air AB) and 11.3 (Air RB & Air SB)

J-7G for researchable vehicle only in early rank 8 before Shenyang J-8F

[ANON_TOKYO]

I would like to buy one if it can be redone as J7G.

[bishoucao]

I think you’re right,This plane is not worth the price at all.

[肘子方程式]

Support all optimization changes to j-7d to make it a qualified premium pack, rather than a pitiful and degraded version of j-7e that no one is willing to pay for

[HAN_ShotFirst]

To be more pessimistic, vehicles were remade or removed, because they were fundamentally wrong, such as Swedish CV90 105 and Italian M60A1 DCAriete.
But to Chinese tech tree, why not expect them to put more work into launching new premium tier viii aircraft, which makes more sense.
Also agree the J7D is far worse than J7E, they shouldnt at same BR, but we have seen this so much on 11.0~12.0, what a mess.

[洛天依]

This is a good idea.

[Miraz05]

J-7G should be added as a TT aircraft. Gaijin can give J-7D PL-5C or PL-8 for balancing it. Not every jet has to be the best jet at its BR.

[ATRJX_友直友谅友多闻]

@Miraz05

Not every jet has to be the best jet at its BR.

Yes mate, but, meh, we’ve already known who’s the worst…

[伊蕾娜Official]

J7D is so week in 11.0
there is already precedents like cv90105

[S3b5]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember reading somewhere that the J-7D could (and did) equip the PL-8, in addition to the PL-7 you mentioned. I think they had to lengthen the fuselage to provide the balance for the PL-8s, because they were heavier. Maybe giving the J-7D the PL-8 would work?

Okay, same message but I just checked, the initial name/pre-production J-7D, the J-7IIIA, got PL-8s and PL-7s. Given that, I think it is reasonable to assume the J-7D also had that capability, although switching the J-7D to J-7IIIA might be way easier; and if the armaments are the same, would allow the J-7D, which I think was a fairly important model, to be put in the tech tree.

[ATRJX_友直友谅友多闻]

Confirmed, it can carry PL-8s,
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/EUi1lFszFySp
this issue was even submitted by me lol.

whatever the result is, current J-7D is hard to say, satisfying

[J_ackal]

120 votes, 18 replies, 2 hours long thread… You chinese are very organic I must say.

I doubt they will change a premium like that. Maybe add it as a tech tree

[电子越共梦到虚拟美军]

This is a good idea.