JL-8 (K-8) BASIC JET TRAINER
The JiaoLian-8 (JL-8) is the domestic version of the K-8 Karakorum basic jet trainer aircraft jointly developed by Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The JL-8 fitted with indigenous turbofan engine and avionics joined the service with the PLAAF in the late 1990s to replace the ageing JJ-5 for basic jet flight training. The K-8 has been exported to many third-world countries and is being locally produced under license in Egypt as K-8E.
PROGRAMME
China and Pakistan agreed to jointly develop the K-8 Karakorum basic jet trainer in the mid-1980s. The initial plan was to incorporate the aircraft with significant American content, including AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International Inc.) TFE731-2A turbofan engines, and Collins and Magnavox avionics. The development of this project was jeopardized by the US-led sanction following June 1989. Later the K-8 had to switch to the Ukrainian-made AI-25TLK turbofan.
Manufacture of four prototypes started January 1989, and the first flight test took place on 21 November 1990. A total of 14 initial production version planes (six to Pakistani Air Force) were delivered by the end of 1996. However, Pakistan decided against domestic series production of the aircraft in 1994. While the original plan involved up to 75 aircraft for Pakistan, by early 1996 as many as 100 were reportedly desired to replace aging Cessna T-37 trainers.
The PLAAF version of the K-8, known as JL-8, first flew in December 1994. Six planes powered by AI-25TLK were delivered to the PLAAF in June 1998. The further development variant powered by an indigenous WS-11 turbofan (a Chinese copy of the Ukrainian AI-25TLK) was first tested in December 1998. By the end of 2003 around 100 examples had been delivered to several PLAAF flight schools.
In July 2000 China and Egypt signed a deal of producing 80 K-8s under license. The first Egypt-produced K-8 (known as K-8E) rolled out of the assembly-line in June 2001. In addition, around few dozen K-8s have also been exported to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
VARIANTS
Designations First Flight Description
K-8 21.Nov.90 Initial export variant powered by a TFE731-2A turbofan
JL-8 Dec.94 Domestic variant for the PLAAF, with all indigenous avionics and WS-11 turbofan engine
K-8E 2001 Licensed production variant built by Egypt
K-8 technical demonstration testbed ? Technical testbed converted from the K-8 for the test of fly-by-wire (FBW) technology. The rear seat of the aircraft was removed to accommodated data recording equipment
DESIGNS
The JL-8/K-8 has low-mounted wings, lateral air intakes, and whole-piece bubble canopy. Two pilots are accommodated in a tandem, air-conditioned cockpit, with the back seat slightly higher than the front seat. The domestic JL-8 differs from the export variant K-8 in avionics configuration and power plant.
WEAPONS
The JL-8/K-8 doesn't have a fixed weapon. There are four under-wing pylons to carry up to 1,000kg payload, each rated at 250kg. The stations can carry drop tanks, 23mm cannon pods, unguided rockets, 250kg bombs, short-range air-to-air missiles (e.g. Magic R550).
AVIONICS
EFIS-86 system, with twin-MFD, VHF/UHF radio, VHF landing/navigation, TATAN system, and air data computer.
POWERPLANT
Options include: (1) U.S.-made TFE731-2A turbofan; (2) Ukrainian-made AI-25TL turbofan; or (3) indigenous WS-11 (an AI-25TL clone, 16.87kN thrust).
PERFORMANCE
Crew: Two
Wingspan: 9.63m
Length: 11.6m
Height: 4.21m
Max take-off weight: 4,332kg
Max weapon payload: 1,000kg
Max speed: 800km/h
Range: Ferry range 2,140km
Service ceiling: 13,600m
