Guizhou JL-9

JL-9
Role Advanced jet trainer
Light combat aircraft
Manufacturer Guizhou Aviation Industry Import/Export Company (GAIEC)
Designer Aero Engine Research Institute of Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation
First flight 13 December 2003
Status In service
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Developed from Chengdu JJ-7

The Guizhou JL-9, also known as the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle (Chinese: 山鹰; pinyin: Shānyīng), is a family of two-seat transonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by the Guizhou Aviation Industry Import/Export Company (GAIEC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).[1]

Development

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The FTC-2000 started as a GAIEC private venture to develop an inexpensive trainer for fourth generation aircraft. The trainer was revealed at the 2001 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[2] The aircraft are reported to be produced at a GAIC assembly line in Anshun, Guizhou.[3]

The FTC-2000, as the JL-9, competed with the Hongdu JL-10 to meet the advanced trainer requirements of the PLAAF and PLANAF. The JL-10 is more technologically advanced, but also more expensive, than the JL-9. In 2013, both had entered production.[4]

A carrier-landing trainer variant was revealed by Chinese state media in 2011.[4] Designated the JL-9G, it has strengthened undercarriage, enlarged wing and diverterless supersonic inlets, but has proved to be unsuitable for arrested landings and is limited to land-based operations.[5]

On 5 September 2018, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that GAIC had begun mass production of the FTC-2000G variant.[6] On 28 September, it was reported that the first mass-produced FTC-2000G performed its maiden flight.[7][8] In April 2020, China reported that an unnamed South-East Asian country had placed an order for the FTC-2000G, with deliveries expected between 2021 and 2023.[9] Later it was confirmed that Myanmar had ordered those jets.[10]

Design

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A FTC-2000 at Zhuhai airshow 2016

The FTC-2000 is developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two seat trainer version of the Chengdu J-7; the Chengdu J-7 is a Chinese variant of the MiG-21. The FTC-2000 uses a new wing, a forward fuselage with side air intakes, and a glass cockpit; the engine, empennage, and mechanical controls of the JJ-7/FT-7 are retained.[2]

Operational history

[edit]
A PLAAF JL-9 releasing flare

In 2014, the PLANAF had a regiment of JL-9s.[11] However, it was not until October 18, 2015, that the PLAAF started using the JL-9 for training purposes.[12]

In April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces of Sudan launched an attack on Merowe Air Base, destroying one Sudanese FTC-2000 while capturing the base.[13] Satellite imagery has revealed that three more FTC-2000s were present at the base at the time.[13]

On January 16, 2024, a Myanmar Air Force FTC-2000G was shot down by a Kachin Independence Army FN-6 missile in Shan State. Both pilots were killed.[14]

Variants

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Operators

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Specifications (FTC-2000)

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Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 14.555 m (47 ft 9 in) excluding nose-probe
  • Wingspan: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 4.105 m (13 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 26.15 m2 (281.5 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 7,800 kg (17,196 lb) clean
7,900 kg (17,417 lb) normal
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) internal + up to 1,302 kg (2,870 lb) in external tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Guizhou Liyang WP-13F (C) afterburning turbojet, 43.15 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust dry, 63.25 kN (14,220 lbf) with afterburner
    (1 × WP-14C Kunlun-3 for FTC-2000G, 53.89 kN (12,110 lbf) thrust dry and 76.53 kN (17,200 lbf) with afterburner.)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,100 km/h (680 mph, 590 kn) / Mach 0.89
  • Unstick and touchdown speed: 260 km/h (160 mph; 140 kn)
  • Minimum flying speed: 210 km/h (130 mph; 110 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn) [19]
  • Stall speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn) [19]
  • Range: 863 km (536 mi, 466 nmi) on internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 2,400 km (1,500 mi, 1,300 nmi) with maximum internal and external fuel
  • Endurance: 3 hours
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
  • g limits: +8 -3
  • Rate of climb: 150 m/s (30,000 ft/min) at sea level
  • Wing loading: 374.8 kg/m2 (76.8 lb/sq ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.00645 kN/kg (0.658 lbf/lb)
  • Take-off run: 400–500 m (1,300–1,600 ft)
  • Landing run: 700 m (2,300 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x 23 mm cannon[12]
  • Hardpoints: 5 with a capacity of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) maximum, with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Other: up to 3 x fuel tanks[12]
  • Missiles: ** Short range air-to-air missile

Avionics

  • Pulse Doppler radar
  • comms
  • IFF
  • Transponder
  • EFIS
  • HOTAS
  • GPS / INS

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Media related to Guizhou JL-9 at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ a b Jackson, Paul, ed. (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 (101st ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-0-7106-2916-6.
  2. ^ a b Fisher, Richard D. Jr (18 June 2015). "Paris Air Show 2015: China close to first FTC-2000 supersonic trainer sale in Africa". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  3. ^ Grevatt, Jon (June 6, 2017). "China promotes FTC-2000 trainer for export". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017. Commenting on the development, the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) – the agency responsible for Chinese defence industrial development – said the aircraft represented the first export aircraft produced at GAIC's assembly line in city of Anshun in Guizhou province.
  4. ^ a b Caffrey, Craig (2013). Aiming high: China's air ambitions (PDF) (Report). Jane's Information Group. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  5. ^ Rupprecht, Andreas (March 2018). "China: Naval Aviation Training". Air International. pp. 46–49. ISSN 0306-5634.
  6. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (6 September 2018). "China begins series-producing FTC-2000G aircraft". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  7. ^ Waldron, Greg (1 October 2018). "FTC-2000G conducts maiden flight". FlightGlobal. Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  8. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (28 September 2018). "China's first series-produced FTC-2000G makes maiden flight". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  9. ^ Waldron, Greg (20 April 2020). "AVIC FTC-2000G snags first export order". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  10. ^ Irrawaddy, The (2022-12-05). "Myanmar Junta Takes Delivery of FTC-2000G Fighter Jets from China". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  11. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2014). Hacket, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2014. Oxfordshire: Routledge. p. 235. ISBN 978-1-85743-722-5.
  12. ^ a b c Waldron, Greg (29 October 2015). "Chinese cadets start using JL-9 advanced jet trainer". Flight International. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  13. ^ a b Rogoway, Sim Tack, Tyler (2023-04-17). "Egyptian MiG-29s Destroyed In Sudan". The Drive. Retrieved 2023-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 349973". aviation-safety.net. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024..
  15. ^ a b c d e "Is Cambodia the Mystery Buyer of China's FTC-2000G Trainer/Fighter Jet?". Defense World. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  16. ^ a b c wminnick (20 November 2012). "China's FTC-2000 Upgraded". Defense News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  17. ^ a b "FTC-2000 G". Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  18. ^ "China's FTC-2000G fighter aircraft conducts maiden flight". Air Force Technology. October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  19. ^ a b c "FTC-2000". Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  20. ^ NEWS – Asia & Australasia, Air International, August 2011, p. 16.
  21. ^ a b COVERT AFFAIR A. Mladenov, Air International, March 2013, p. 93
  22. ^ The Military Balance 2021. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 255.
  23. ^ The Military Balance 2021. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 254.
  24. ^ "Myanmar Regime Buys FTC-2000G Fighter Jets From China". The Irrawaddy. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  25. ^ Beech, Anthony Davis (8 December 2022). "Myanmar Air Force inducts new FTC-2000Gs". Janes Defence – via janes.com.
  26. ^ "Myanmar Junta Receives Six More Chinese Warplanes Amid Deadly Airstrikes on Civilians". The Irrawaddy. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  27. ^ Binnie, Jeremy (16 May 2018). "Sudan's new FTC-2000 jets arrive". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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