J-8B

J-8B

J-7E

J-8F

J-8B

J-7E

J-8F

China

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.3	11.3	11.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:350 000

Purchase:950 000

Description

The J-8B (歼-8B, NATO: Finback 长须鲸) is a rank VII Chinese jet fighter with a battle rating of 11.3 (AB/RB) and 11.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Wind of Change".

The Shenyang J-8 family of interceptor aircraft was designed to protect China's skies from bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The J-8B is a revision of the initial J-8I series with more powerful engines and redesigned air intakes/forward fuselage for better avionics. It offers long-awaited SARH missiles and a fire-control radar for the PLAAF, while retaining a good top-speed and sufficient manoeuvrability for such a huge jet. The J-8B is more than 20 meters in length and 5.4 meters in height, making it the largest of the Rank VII fighters in all dimensions except wingspan, but it has a lower empty weight than the F-4 Phantom or even the MiG-23. With two WP-13 engines and very clean aerodynamics, the J-8B has excellent acceleration and climb to fit its role as a high-altitude interceptor and can still turn well enough to dogfight in a pinch - quite apropos to its NATO reporting name of a long yet sleek whale.

However the J-8B is still an early model of the J-8II series and has some quirks. The domestic Type 208A radar has comparable performance to the F-5E's AN/APQ-159 with no LD/SD capabilities. It is also limited to only 4 air-to-air missiles. Although the J-8B cannot go toe-to-toe with dedicated BVR fighters like the F-4J and F-4EJ Kai, it can still be successful if used with some caution and complements the J-7E well.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 12 000 m2 300 km/h

Turn time27 s

Max altitude16 000 m

Engine2 х Shenyang Liming WP-13A-II

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight17 t

To conclude what a J-8 series look like, "a Fishbed on steroids" would be very fitting since the overall design was literally an enlarged version of the J-7 with 2 turbojet engines: the later J-8II series revised the front of the airframe and introduced side intakes for a more streamline design. This size is also a drawback of the J-8B since it becomes a much larger target than its tech-tree predecessor, J-7E.

Thanks to technological improvements over the decades, the J-8B equips two AECC Shenyang Liming WP-13A-II turbojet engines, improving the overall speed and climb rate over the J-8I (the J-8II was the fastest, highest climb rate jet in the PLAAF service until the introduction of Su-27SK/J-11 Flanker-B/L). The use of composite material also reduced its weight, while it retained its good manoeuvrability for such a large interceptor thanks to reworked elevators. However, just like any delta wing jets, any high AoA manoeuvres would be at the cost of severe speed bleeding; although the twin engines do mitigate some of the problem with their high acceleration, it is still advised to fly the J-8B as an interceptor instead of a turn-fighter, hit-and-run or high altitude operations is where it shines.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 12,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,226	2,206	16000	27.8	28.7	167.4	159.6	750
Upgraded	___	___		__._	__._	__._	__._

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1,365	500	N/A	525	450	~12	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 600	< 900	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Shenyang Liming WP-13A-II		2	9,947 kg		___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	35m fuel
1,140 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		11,243 kg	12,362 kg	13,570 kg	14,267 kg	_,___ kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	35m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	3,825 kgf	6,483 kgf	1.15	1.05	0.96	0.91	_.__
Optimal	3,825 kgf (0 km/h)	6,977 kgf (1,200 km/h)	1.24	1.13	1.03	0.98	_.__

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear500 km/h

As with many jet aircraft, the J-8B has self-sealing fuel tanks, as well as a 65 mm bulletproof glass windshield and a 16 mm plate behind the pilot's seat.

• 16 mm Steel plate - Rear of cockpit, behind the seat
• 65 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 719 → 4 045

RB8 021 → 11 935

SB8 222 → 12 234

Total cost of modifications299 000

463 000

Talisman cost3 000

Crew training270 000

Experts950 000

Aces3 200

Research Aces1 210 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 320 / 600 %

244 / 244 / 244 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 420 Compressor Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 420 New boosters Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 470 Wings repair Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 690 G-suit Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440 Engine Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440	Airframe Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 470 Cover Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440	Flares/Chaff Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 420 ns23_belt_pack Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 420 PL-5B Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 470 HF-6 Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 470 ns23_new_gun Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 690 Type 250 Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 690 EFS Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440 Aspide Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440 Type 500 Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 440

Armaments

Offensive armament

The J-8B is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 23 mm Type 23-3 cannon, -mounted (200 rpg)
  • 1 x 23 mm Type 23-3 cannon + 64 x large caliber countermeasures

Suspended armament

The J-8B can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x PL-5B missiles
• 4 x PL-5B missiles
• 2 x Aspide-1A missiles
• 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 28 x Type 90-1 rockets
• 2 x PL-5B missiles + 2 x Aspide-1A missiles
• 2 x PL-5B missiles + 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 4 x PL-5B missiles + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
• 2 x PL-5B missiles + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x Aspide-1A missiles (3,000 lb total)
• 2 x PL-5B missiles + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets

Usage in battles

The basic design of the J-8 series is aimed for high-altitude interception of Soviet supersonic strategic bombers and the J-8B is no exception, its excellent climb rate, top speed, and acceleration make it a high-flyer by all means. Don't be fooled by the sheer size of it, the aerodynamic and control surface features on the J-8B make it surprisingly maneuverable as its flight envelope is very similar to a MiG-21MF, if not better; while the size can be a problem as well due to the large surface area, it would be easy for other jets to land shots upon you.

The overall weaponry and avionics are inferior compared to its opponents at the battle rating, with limited air-to-air and ground ordnance options. The PL-5Bs are only suitable for long range launches as they have difficulty maneuvering after launch, it could surprise targets which have recovered from their maneuver in some cases thanks to the acceleration of the missile; and the Aspides are restricted by the poor performance of Changhong Type 208A radar, which has limited range and no pulse-Doppler capabilities. In addition, the two missile types cannot be carried together in a single loadout. Although the J-8B can carry up to 8 bombs or 28 Type 90-1 HEAT rockets, the jet doesn't come with any means of CCIP or CCRP. The large caliber countermeasures help in mitigating the flaws in weaponry systems, but it is still advised NOT to rush into the battlefield.

Pilots of the J-8B should be extra cautious to any enemies that might appear. Although flying high can mitigate the affects of radar ground clutter if you choose to bring the Aspide-1A missiles, it means the same for enemies' SARH missiles. If only bringing PL-5Bs into the fight, stay away from the heated battlefield, then fly in and pick up targets who has already used up their energy or unaware of your existence, a solid hit from a PL-5B can take down enemies with relative ease; do keep in mind that the missile is best used at distance over 1.5 km due to its immersive acceleration, the pylons without overload limitations really helps during interception of targets at lower altitude or revenge on foes who overtakes J-8B and didn't pull away from the player.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High acceleration and top speed
• Surprisingly maneuverable for its size
• The very first Chinese jet with SARH missiles
• Large-caliber countermeasures like those on the MiG-23
• Sufficient air-to-ground ordnance

Cons:

• Huge size
• Small ammo pool at only 200 rounds
• Bleeds speed severely in maneuvers
• Inferior avionics to its counterparts
  • Lacks of any form of ballistic computer

History

Background

In view of harassment from high-altitude reconnaissance planes and supersonic strategic bombers from both US and USSR in early 1960s, Xu Shunshou (徐舜寿) and Huang Zhiqian (黄志千), the duo of designers from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) who had just finished the JJ-1 (歼教-1) program, soon started their design on a new interceptor. There were 22 designs for the new interceptor and most of them opted for a single-engine version, while Huang Zhiqian decided to leave a twin-engine design in case the development of the new engine would lag the entire program. After an intense debate on whether the new engine would be made in time, Huang's design, dubbed "Roast Duck" (烤鸭), using 2 existing WP-7 engines from J-7, became the design SAC opted for. This design was given the green light on 17th May 1965 as the J-8 (歼-8).

Although the development of the J-8I was smooth sailing, during the ground tests and stress test, the first prototype was proved unsafe to do test flights and the failure of the first stress test almost gave the J-8I its death sentence; this was further intensified by the deaths of the designer duo. The new chief designer, Gu Songfen (顾诵芬) continued the project with their wills and finally rectified its manufacturing flaws. The J-8I finally made its first flight on 5th July 1969. However, SAC took a whole decade to finalise the aerodynamic design of the J-8I and the new jet only passed for state certification in the very last hours of 1979.

J-8II

Although later simulated dogfights with J-7 proved the J-8I was superior to the former in many aspects, the MiG-23 (NATO: Flogger) was becoming a big threat to the PLAAF with better avionics. Although a MiG-23SM had been obtained from Egypt for evaluation, instead of reverse-engineering a domestic Flogger, they opted for a more streamlined design with side intakes based on the Flogger. The redesigned the J-8II made its first flight on 12th June 1984 with new technologies utilized during manufacture as well as for SARH missiles.

The 1980s also marked a better relationship with western countries, SAC then sought Grumman to upgrade the J-8II into a modernized jet dubbed "Project 8-2" or Peace Pearl (八二工程/和平珍珠) with the latest avionics from the F-16C. However, the 1989 Beijing Crackdown halted this program and it was eventually cancelled in 1990 in view of importing new Su-27 Flankers from the Soviet Union. While the Project 8-2 and later Project 8-3 (J-8C) failed, SAC finalised the radar and the J-8II Block 2/J-8B passed certification in 1995. With later models of the J-8II series produced in the late 1990s and 2000s, these earlier J-8B were mostly upgraded to newer standards and still kept in service in some units as a placeholder before the new J-10s and -11s replaced them.

The Spiritual Number: 81192

The default skin for J-8B includes the number "81192" painted on the sides outside of cockpit, this number has become the spiritual number of military enthusiasts and players in Mainland China due to the Hainan Island Incident between the PLANAF and USN.

On 1st April 2001, an EP-3 (BuNo. 156511) from VQ-1 of the USN stationed at Okinawa, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Shane Osborn was conducting a reconnaissance flight close to Hainan Island, where a pair of J-8B from Hainan Lingshui Airbase intercepted them; one of the J-8B, piloted by Major Wang Wei (王伟) from 27 Brigade, 9th Division of PLANAF, accidentally rammed the EP-3's left wing and was severely damaged by the propellers, his jet crashed into the South China Sea and the EP-3 made an emergency landing at Lingshui Airbase. Although Wang Wei was witnessed to have ejected, after weeks of searching, he was declared KIA and was posthumously given martyr and the "Guardian of Sea and Air" (海空卫士) title by PLA.

This incident further ignited the backlash towards the US in Mainland China after multiple diplomatic incidents during the 1990s; the EP-3 was then disassembled and sent back to USN with an Antonov AN-124 and the incident ended with an official apology from the US Government.

A decade later, photos from a photographer in Mainland China proved that the J-8B numbered 81192 was still in service in the early 2010s (but upgraded to J-8BH standards with a black radome); later rediscovery of magazine photos showed that a model of the J-8B given to Ruan Guoqin (阮国琴), widow of Wang Wei, was numbered 81194. The debate of whether 92 or 94 was the jet involved still continues, but the number 81192 has already become the symbol of the long-lasting Sino-US conflicts and there are memorial events every year at Wang Wei's cenotaph at Huzhou, Zhejiang.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

• MiG-23

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (中航工业沈阳飞机工业(集团)有限公司)
Jet Fighters
MiG-15	J-2*
MiG-17	J-4*
MiG-19	J-6A*
J-8	J-8B · J-8F
Su-27 variants	J-11* · J-11A*
Export	Shenyang F-5*
	*Licensed Note: "J-2" and "J-4" are not official designations
See Also	Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau