Military Aircraft Directory: Chengdu Aircraft

 CHENGDU AIRCRAFT (CAIC)

Abbreviations: PWR-Power, Max TD-Thrust dry, Max TR-Thrust re-heat, WS-Wingspan, FL-Fuselage length, Max RF-Max range (km), H-Hardpoints, Max OC-Max Operating Ceiling, Max Pay.-Max Payload, C-Crew, P-Pax, Max WLE-Max Load External (warload) (kg), E-Endurance, CR Max PNR-Combat Radius Max Payload No-Refuel.  

CAC, Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation, PO Box 800, Chengdu 610092, Sichuan, China; Tel:+86 28 669 629, Fax:+86 28 669 816, Telex: 60132 CCDAC CN

F-7

Chengdu continues to develop upgraded variants of the F-7, the export version of China's J-7 (MiG-21). The F-7MG is the latest known variant of the type, but a modified F-7, with a chin intake and ogival radome, was test flown in 1998.

The J-7II, an upgraded development of the original J-7 (Chinese-built MiG-21F), entered production in the early 1980s and, by 1982, the aircraft was being exported as the F-7B. China also developed the FT-7 two-seat operational trainer.

The Chinese manufacturer continues to produce small numbers of the F-7M Airguard, a variant of the F-7B which has been modernised with Western avionics, including ranging radar equipment.

FC-1

The FC-1 project superseded Chengdu's Super-7 light fighter programme which was designed for the Chinese and Pakistan air forces.

Pakistan and China both put their signatures to a letter of intent covering the project in the first quarter of 1998, although critical aspects of the programme have yet to be resolved.

Chengdu has received design assistance on the FC-1 from MAPO.

F-10

Chengdu's f-10 fighter flew for the first time in March 1998, but as of July 1998 no photograph of the aircraft had been released. The design draws heavily on that of Israel's cancelled Lavi fighter, with Israel Aircraft Industries having provided considerable assistance to China on the F-10.

Israeli and Russian companies are competing to provide the radar and associated air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.

Source: Flight International