The J-7 is one the most famous and well-known fighter jets in People's Liberation Army Air Force. With its origins in the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 from the 1950s, the J-7 has been manufactured in China for nearly 48 years. The J-7 has seen more than a dozen modifications during its development. The J-7 is a single engine light fighter aircraft capable of flying at Mach 2.
The Chengdu J-7 is an interceptor aircraft designed for the Chinese Air Force. It was primarily developed to target the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The J-7 and J-9 are part of the PLAAF's defense system. Chengdu also made a number trainer derivatives to the J-7 for the Naval Air Force.
Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, (CAC) developed the J-7 with the goal of creating a light single-engine fighter plane. The aircraft was originally an exact copy of the Soviet MiG-21. The WP-7b jet engine can produce 3320kgf of power. The Chinese military approved the J-7 as an operating aircraft in June 1967 after the airframe had been evaluated in November 1965. More than 2,400 J-7s were built in Chengdu during the production run.
The J-7 comes equipped with various air to-air missiles. These include Type 30-1 cannons in two directions, 55mm rocket pods (12 round), and 50 kg to 500kg of unguided explosive bombs. The J-7 can reach Mach 2 at its highest speed.
Chengdu has also produced a number other aircraft derivatives such as the J-10A. The aircraft's delta wing allows it to fly higher altitudes. The J-10A is also equipped with fly-bywire flight controls and all weather operation. Its avionics are modeled after those of the J-8 interceptor, which was developed with lessons learned from the J-7 program.
The J-7 was designed to be used against the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force, (PLAAF). Additionally, the J-7 can be used by several other air forces to provide regional air defense. The Pakistan Air Force and Zimbabwe have all operated J-7s. The Chinese government has announced a 6.8 percent increase in its defense budget for 2021, allowing for the modernization of its military. PLA Air Force plans to decommission J-7 fighter jets and make way for the next generation aircraft.
The J-7 fighter jet is the most advanced in the PLA Air Force. It can reach Mach 2. It is equipped with five hardpoints, one for a missile and can carry short-range, infrared-homing, air-to-air missiles. The radar also has a fire-control system. This radar can reach a maximum distance of 28km. The Type 481 data link allows the aircraft to send directions directly to the autopilot from a ground controlled interception center.
The J-7 can reach a height of 20,000 meters. It can take off at a maximum weight of 9,100 kg. In addition, the aircraft has a 750-meter landing distance.