Chinese Weapon Exports

serenity · Sep 30, 2018

This is just a new manufacturing "block" of an old trainer, the JL-9, which is itself a development out of Mig-21 or J-7 series. Guizhou Aircraft Corp (GAC) basically just upgraded the JL-9 so newer trainers can be more attractive products to PLAAF and/PLAN if they want to buy new training jets. It is also multirole and is capable of firing a range of weapons so could potentially find sales in cash strapped nations (at least this is what I think GAC is aiming for).

Not really interesting development. Looks like they just upgraded the interior, probably avionics for some weapons integration, and obviously they have put DSI intakes on the plane. CAC, GAC, SAC, XAC etc etc are all part of AVIC so they must all share know-how. It comes at no surprise that CAC's work on DSI intakes have proliferated throughout AVIC. It is most likely not as capable as JF-17 in any way. Small radar, range, payload, engine, limited electronic ability. Therefore not competition for JF-17 (unless an airforce is so tightly budgeted and cannot get Russian or NATO second hand fighters).

It would seem like a waste of time and resources to upgrade such a dated airframe but China's got so many people working in this industry now, only a few are working in the higher up projects while many have nothing left to do except just work on upgrades, even on low-value projects. Upgrading something like JL-9 electronically could potentially be worth it if the overhead for the components and assembly is insignificant due to overall improvements in those fields.

khanasifm · Sep 30, 2018

JSCh said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1045510427675783168
Global Times‏ Verified account @globaltimesnews
#BREAKING The China-developed FTC-2000G, a made-for-export multipurpose aircraft, conducts its maiden flight on Friday.
11:08 AM - 28 Sep 2018

New AVIC jet makes debut in Guizhou
By Zhao Lei in Anshun, Guizhou province | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-09-28 11:39

The FTC-2000G makes its debut flight in Guizhou province’s Anshun on Sept 28, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The FTC-2000G, a new multirole combat aircraft developed by State-owned defense giant Aviation Industry Corp of China, made its debut flight in Guizhou province’s Anshun on Friday morning.

A yellow FTC-2000G took off at Anshun Huangguoshu Airport and flew for about 10 minutes amid thick clouds. More than 1,000 people, including AVIC executives, provincial leaders as well as ambassadors and military attaches from several nations, took part in the ceremony.

FTC-2000G, designed and built by Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, an AVIC subsidiary, is a fixed-wing, multirole combat plane mainly tasked with airstrikes against ground targets. It can also be used as a fighter jet or trainer aircraft, according to AVIC.

Information from AVIC shows the twin-seat plane is a modified version of an advanced training jet that has been deployed by the Chinese Air Force and Navy. It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.2, or 1,470 kilometers per hour, a maximum takeoff weight of 11 metric tons, a maximum flight range of 2,400 km, and an operational flight ceiling of 15 km.

Equipped with modern radar and fire-control systems, it is capable of staying airborne for three hours in a single operation and can carry as much as three tons of missiles, rockets or bombs, according to the company.

As a light-duty attack aircraft or fighter jet, FTC-2000G is able to replace old models fielded by developing countries such as China’s J-7 and the former Soviet Union’s Mig-21. In the role of trainer aircraft, it can replace China’s FT-7 or British BAE Systems Hawk, and can work with AVIC’s K-8 intermediate jet to form an advanced training systems for military pilots.

Leading edge flaps added previous version did not had lef

LKJ86 · Sep 30, 2018

serenity said:
It would seem like a waste of time and resources to upgrade such a dated airframe but China's got so many people working in this industry now, only a few are working in the higher up projects while many have nothing left to do except just work on upgrades, even on low-value projects. Upgrading something like JL-9 electronically could potentially be worth it if the overhead for the components and assembly is insignificant due to overall improvements in those fields.

I don't think it is a waste of time and resources. GAC is very clever to provide what you need with a very low price.
And JL-9 has got a lot of orders from PLAAF and PLAN, before JL-10 is ready.

LKJ86 · Oct 1, 2018

lcloo · Oct 1, 2018

The family links of MIG-21/J7 to FT-2000G.

MIG-21 >> J7 >> JJ7 twin seat trainer >> JL-9 trainer >> FTC-2000G multi-roles fighter trainer.

FTC-2000G is meant for countries with small defence budgets, and do not face any external threats. It is a modernised equivalent of the old F-5, BAC Strikemasters, Hawks light fighters etc. Some people considered this as the ultimate MIG-21.

Beast · Oct 2, 2018

This is the plane a lot of small countries want instead if JF-17. They want sometime not too sophisticated becos it require more maintenance and training. No need data link or fanciful avionic cos they want it cheap and easy to operate.

Just something to train their pilot and give them decent BVR capabilities. It target customers with very limited budget. Nowadays AF equipment are getting more and more expensive. Not every countries can afford that.

Deino · Oct 2, 2018

Guys !! May I ask what's up with this mess??

First to start a new thread on a type that is already well covered within the trainer thread and the one for Chinese exports ... and now stuff on hypersonic glide vehicles, Aryans, Mongols and history stuff.

STOP this. Thread cleaned and merged.

Deino