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Since the end of cold war we have seen more fighter
development activities in China than anywhere else in the world. Most
noticeably the J-10 and J-11 (Su-27) project which
suggest Chinese AF is adopting a "high-low" two-fighter doctrine. In
addition, two more fighters (F-8IIM and FC-1) are also being
developed. While both are expected to be stop-gap measures, the former
(F-8IIM) is more likely to be made for export only. However, the
future of these new fighter projects is far from certain (except for
Su-27, due to a recently concluded coproduction agreement with
Russia), as Chinese AF may not need or be able to afford all four of them.
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 J-7E Fishbed
A PLA naval aviation J-7E carrying two PL-5B
short-range AAMs (IR homing to 5km) and an external tank is breaking the
formation. This new variant of J-7II features a redesigned wing and wears
a new light gray camouflage. The new wing with leading edge flaps retains
the existing leading-edge sweep angle of 57° inboard but reduced sweep
of only 42° outboard. This results in a slightly larger wing span and
8.17% more wing area, which gives J-7E a bigger fuel capacity and
better maneuverability. It is also fitted with new HUD, RWR, air data
computer and a single internal 23mm cannon. Powered by an upgraded WP-13F
turbojet (14,330lb with afterburning), J-7E is believed to be more deadly in
dog fight than its predecessor (also chosen by "August 1st" aerobatic
team). Originally it was seen in service only with PLA naval aviation, but
now it seems to have entered service with PLAAF as well. You might think
J-7E to be the last episode of the long-lasting Mig-21 legend, but
it is NOT! A new variant called J-7FS just flew on June 8, 1998. This
appears to be modified J-7II testbed with the new chin air-intake (similar
to American F-8 Crusader), which leaves room for a modern
fire-control radar. Other modifications include new WP-13FII (7,000kg
class) turbojet, new weapon-management computer and GPS.
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F-7MG Fishbed
Yet another variant of J-7/Mig-21 family --
F-7MG was publically revealed at the Zhuhai International Airshow
(M: modified, G: GEC-Marconi). It appears to be an improved F-7M with a
J-7E style wing plus some other upgrades, including GEC-Marconi Super Skyranger multi-mode PD radar (I band,
15km for missiles and 5km for guns), new color CRT displays, HOTAS
control, GEC-Marconi air data computer and WP-13F turbojet (13,200lb w/
afterburning). Its maximum climb rate is 38,300ft/min (195m/s), combat
radius is 850km (hi-hi-hi air-superiority role) and maximum load is
1,800kg. The new wing suggests the similar design on J-7E appears to be
successful. However, since the basic design has been 40 years old, this
approach of gradual evolution is open to debate, and it is unlikely that
PLAAF will take any F-7MG. First flew in 1993, so far only two
prototypes are believed to have been built. The latest news indicates that
Bangladesh is considering to buy 8 F-7MGs.
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F-8IIM Finback
To improve the poor performance of J-8II, SAC
(Shengyang Aircraft Co.) has developed F-8IIM, a private venture
for the oversea market. Here an F-8IIM was displaying a variety of
AAMs (PL-9, AA-10, PL-5B) it can carry at Zhuhai International Airshow in
November. It features a Russian Zhuk-8II look-down, shoot-down radar
(forward sphere 70km, rear sphere 40km), replacing the obsolete Type-208
radar onborad J-8II. The Zhuk-8II able to to track up to 10
targets and engage 2 targets simultaneously with radar-guided AAMs (e.g.
PL-11 or AA-10), as well as to launch anti-ship missiles (e.g. Kh-31).
Other improvements include new HUD and
multi-functional display, combined INS/GPS, integrated ECM system,
HOTAS control, a 3,000 hour life airframe and two upgraded WP-13AIII
turbojet. The change in aerodynamics is minimum and aircraft is actually
heavier, resulting in a slightly poorer maneuverability. As a result, like
F-7MG, it is not expected to be acquired by PLAAF in large
quantities. Besides F-8IIM, a much redesigned J-8III
featuring FBW, canard wing and Elta EL/M2034 fire control radar was
reported but has not been confirmed.
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