Xi'an JH-7

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The Xi'an JH-7 (Template:Lang-zh – fighter-bomber; NATO reporting name Flounder),[1] also known as the FBC-1 (Fighter/Bomber China-1) Flying Leopard, is a Chinese tandem two-seat, twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF), and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).[2] The main contractors are Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) and the 603rd Aircraft Design Institute (later named the First Aircraft Institute of AVIC-I).

The first JH-7s were delivered to the PLANAF in the mid-1990s for evaluation, with the improved JH-7A entering service in 2004.[3]

Development history

A new fighter bomber

In the early 1970s, the PLAAF required a new fighter-bomber to replace the Harbin H-5 and Nanchang Q-5. A request was duly submitted to the Ministry of Aviation Industry (later renamed to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China), which organized a domestic development program when efforts to secure a joint venture with foreign partners failed. The program was authorized on 19 April 1983 by then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. The program was also aiming to make use of newly imported British Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines at the time.[4]

JH-7

File:Xian JH-7A.jpg
Xian JH-7A

The PLANAF required a similar aircraft and the program set out to develop a variant for each set of requirements. The PLAAF variant was conceived as an all-weather, long-range bomber/strike aircraft, with a two-seat, tandem cockpit, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and terrain following capabilities (similar to the General Dynamics F-111). The naval version differed in that it was conceived as a dedicated reconnaissance/strike aircraft. The PLAAF variant was dropped in the early 1980s, with the PLANAF variant becoming the JH-7.

Six prototypes were built by December 1988, and the PLANAF received 12 to 18 aircraft in the early 1990s for evaluation. The first aircraft used imported Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.202 engines, later replaced by a license-built copy, the WS-9. They were equipped with the Type 243H multifunction radar, which could detect ships at a maximum of Template:Convert, and MiG-21-sized aerial targets at Template:Convert.

The JH-7 was designed as an anti-ship fighter-bomber. As with the later JH-7A, its aerial combat capability was insignificant given the large number of specialist aircraft for that role.

JH-7A

File:JH-7A fighter bomber - military museum.jpg
JH-7A at the Beijing Military Museum during the "Our troops towards the Sun" exhibition
File:Xian JH-7A at Shagol.jpg
Two JH-7As at Chelyabinsk Shagol Air Base

When the PLA examined the future role of air forces, it identified a need for precision air-to-surface capability. An improved JH-7, the JH-7A, was designed to meet this requirement. The JH-7A's general and deputy general designers were Tang Changhong (唐长红) and Wu Jieqin (吴介琴) respectively.

The JH-7A had a lighter and stronger airframe than the JH-7, allowing the newer aircraft to carry a maximum ordnance load of 9,000 kg.[5][6] In PLANAF, this allowed four YJ-81 anti-ship missiles to be carried, compared to the two on the JH-7.[7]

The JH-7A is equipped with domestic Chinese helmet mounted sight (HMS) for evaluation, and this HMS currently being tested is developed by Xi'an Optronics Group (Xi Guang Ji Tuan 西光集团), a member of Northern Electro-Optic Co. Ltd (北方光电股份有限公司), the wholly owned subsidiary of Norinco, and the HMS on JH-7A was developed from the helicopter HMS manufactured by the same company, thus both share many common components.[8] HMS tested on JH-7A is compatible with air-to-air/surface missiles, and it is also compatible with airborne sensors such as radars and electro-optics so that the sensors are slaved to HMS, enabling the fast tracking and aiming of the weaponry.[9] The cockpit of JH-7A still retains some traditional single function dial indicators, but there are two large color liquid crystal display multi-function displays which can be monochrome if pilots choose.[10] Other avionic upgrades of JH-7 include:[11] replacing Type 960-2 noise jammer with BM/KJ-8605, replacing Type 265A radar altimeter with Type 271 radar altimeter, fully digitized fly-by-wire flight control system, and in addition, Type 232H airborne radar is replaced by JL-10A pulse-Doppler radar, enabling JH-7A to fire laser-guided bombs and Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles. The existing JH-7s were upgraded with JH-7A electronics. Two additional hardpoints increased the total to 6 from the original 4, and one-piece windscreen replaced the original three-piece windscreen.

The JH-7A was the first Chinese aircraft to use paperless design, and the software used was CATIA V5.[12]

The JH-7AII variant was in service in 2019.[13]

Operational history

On 19 August 1992, a JH-7 made an emergency landing after the rudder fell off at an altitude of 5,000 meters during a test flight. Huang Bingxin, the pilot, refused to jettison the payload of four live missiles and abandon the aircraft, and instead used differential thrust from the two engines to return to the airport. A starboard tire burst on touchdown and the aircraft was brought to a halt with the drogue parachute.[14]

The JH-7A entered service with the PLANAF in early 2004, and with the PLAAF by the end of the year.[15]

In 2007 JH-7s went abroad to participate in "Peace Mission" exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In April 2012, multiple JH-7 aircraft joined a Russia-China joint naval exercise in eastern China. In 2013, JH-7s participated in a Russia–China joint exercise held on Russian territory.[16]

Accidents and Incidents

The JH-7 prototype's first flight on 14 December 1988, flown by Huang Bingxin, ended in an emergency landing. The dashboard was disabled by violent engine vibrations toward the end of the flight, and the aircraft landed safely without instrumentation.[14]

On 8 June 1991, a JH-7 prototype suddenly began to leak fuel at a high rate. Lu Jun (卢军), a Russian-trained Chinese test pilot, managed to make a safe emergency landing when the fuel reserve had dropped to slightly more than 30 liters. Three years later, on 4 April 1994, a JH-7 prototype crashed during a test flight, killing Lu.[14]

On 14 October 2011, a JH-7 crashed during an exhibition at an air show in Shaanxi province, northwest China.[17][18]

On 5 June 2014, a JH-7 crashed during a training mission in Yiwu, Zhejiang province.[19]

On 22 December 2014, a JH-7 crashed near the city of Weinan in Shaanxi province, under unknown circumstances. At least two persons are said to have died in the crash.[20]

On 22 October 2016, a JH-7 crashed in Liuzhou, Guangxi province. According to pictures released on social media, the pilots ejected.[21]

On 12 March 2019, a Template:Ill in Ledong County, Hainan,[22] killing pilot Commander Ren Yongtao and weapon systems officer Lt Junior Grade Nian Jinxin. The crash occurred during a low-altitude flight. The crew steered the aircraft away from a densely populated residential area and a school; their bravery was recognized by the PLAAF.[23][24][25]

On 18 May 2019, a JH-7 crashed in Template:Ill, Weihai City area, Shandong province.[26]

Operators

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  • People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF)** – Approximately 110–120 JH-7A aircraft in service (as of 2025). The PLANAF employs the JH-7 primarily for anti-ship missile strikes, close air support, and interdiction operations. The aircraft has been noted for its role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises and long-range strike capabilities against maritime targets.[27]
  • People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)** – Approximately 110–120 JH-7A aircraft in service (as of 2025). The PLAAF continues to use the JH-7 for a range of tactical strike missions, including both land-attack and anti-ship roles. These aircraft are integral to China's rapid response capabilities, particularly in the context of Taiwan Strait tensions and South China Sea disputes. JH-7s are also used for electronic warfare training and simulation exercises.[28]

Variants

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  • JH-7 – Initial production version of the PLANAF anti-shipping fighter-bomber.
  • JH-7A – Later production utilising composite structure to reduce weight, improved flying control system and improved avionics including the JL10A Shan Ying J-band pulse-Doppler radar. Weapon loads increased by the addition of two more wing hardpoints and two hardpoints under the intake trunking for mission pods such as targeting pods.
  • JH-7A2 – Improved variant with enhanced air-to-ground munitions and carrying capabilities. The variant was first observed in 2019. The fighter-bomber was official unveiled on Zhuhai Airshow in 2021.[29]
  • JH-7E - Possibly export variant, shown at 2018 Zhuhai Airshow.[30]
  • FBC-1 Flying Leopard – Export version of the JH-7.
  • FBC-1A Flying Leopard II – Export version of the JH-7A.

Specifications (JH-7A)

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See also

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Related lists

References

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External links

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Template:AVIC Aero Products Template:PLAAF Aircraft Template:PRC bombers Template:PRC fighters Template:Chinese Military Aircraft

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