JH-7A

JH-7A

Q-5L

JH-7A

Q-5L

China

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
12.0	12.3	12.3

Class:

Strike aircraft

Research:400 000

Purchase:1 080 000

Description

The development program of the JH-7 "Flying Leopard" is a lesser-known but fascinating story in the realm of Chinese military aviation. Initially, the project was aimed at creating a capable twin-engine fighter-bomber during the late 20th century. The JH-7's early history was marked by significant challenges and delays, often due to resource constraints and a lack of access to advanced technology. However, Chinese engineers and aviation experts persisted, and the program eventually gave birth to the JH-7A in 2004, the initial variant of this aircraft. The JH-7A showcased China's determination to bolster its military capabilities, particularly in the realm of precision strike and maritime operations. While it might not have received the same global attention as other strike-fighter aircraft programs of its era, the JH-7 Flounder's journey reflects China's steady progress in the development of its indigenous military technology.

The JH-7A Flying Leopard II (NATO reporting name: Flounder) was introduced in Update "Kings of Battle". Being a dedicated strike-fighter, the JH-7A specializes in the ground-strike role, and suffers in dedicated air-to-air combat at its battle rating, despite having access to the formidable PL-8 and PL-5C all aspect missiles. As such, this aircraft can struggle in dedicated air modes, and instead shines the brightest in mixed battles thanks to its selection of precision ground ordnance and powerful targeting pod. The strong radar and all-aspect missiles can prove to be a strong form of self defence in mixed battles if the need arises. All in all, the JH-7A serves as a major upgrade in technology and capability over its predecessors in the tech tree, namely the Q-5 family.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

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 m1 870 km/h

Turn time29 s

Max altitude15 000 m

Engine2 х XAEC WS-9

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight29 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	___	___	15000	__._	__._	__._	__._	___
Upgraded	___	___		__._	__._	__._	__._

Details

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

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	450	___	___	___	~__	~__

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< ___	< ___	< ___	-

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
_____		_	_,___ kg		___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		_m fuel	__m fuel	__m fuel
___ kg	___		_,___ kg	_,___ kg	_,___ kg	_,___ kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
Condition	100%	___%/WEP	_m fuel	__m fuel	__m fuel	MGW
Stationary	___ kgf	___ kgf	_.__	_.__	_.__	_.__
Optimal	___ kgf (_ km/h)	___ kgf (_ km/h)	_.__	_.__	_.__	_.__

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

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

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear450 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 922 → 4 403

RB7 391 → 11 138

SB10 478 → 15 790

Total cost of modifications311 600

478 000

Talisman cost3 100

Crew training310 000

Experts1 080 000

Aces3 400

Research Aces1 280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 340 / 600 %

250 / 250 / 250 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 New boosters Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 Engine Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650	Fuselage repair Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 Airframe Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 Wings repair Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 730 Cover Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650	Flares/Chaff Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 ns23_belt_pack Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 HF-6 Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 K/ADC03A Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 PL-5B Research: 8 800 Cost: 14 000 340 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 HF-14 Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 GB250 Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 PL-5C Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 460 ns23_new_gun Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 730 Type 250/LS-6 250 Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 730 GB500 Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 730 EFS Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650 40px Kh-29T Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650 Type 500/LS-6 500 Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650 GB1000 Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 650

Armaments

Offensive armament

The JH-7A is armed with:

• 1 x 23 mm Type 23-3 cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
• 84 x large calibre countermeasures

Suspended armament

Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

Cons:

History

Devblog History

After several years of development, China finalized the development of its own fighter-bomber, the JH-7, which ticked all of the boxes that were set out by PLA command for an aircraft to replace the outdated Q-5. In 1999, following orders from the Central Military Committee, work began on creating an improved version of the JH-7. This extensive modernization program included 303 changes, which included improving the fire control system with the introduction of a digital electronic sighting system, as well as increasing the range of its suspended weapons. This updated fighter-bomber, now designated JH-7A made its first flight in 2002, and began entering service in October 2004. JH-7A aircraft are still currently serving in the Chinese Air Force.

Media

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

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] JH-7A: The Flying Leopard!

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (西安飞机工业集团)
Strike Aircraft	JH-7A