Chinese name: Jianjiji Jiaolianji-7 (Fighter training aircraft 7)
Westernised designation: FT-7
TYPE: Advanced jet trainer
PROGRAMME: Launched October 1982; first metal cut April 1985; first flight 5 July 1985; series production began February 1986; production FT-7 first flight December 1987. Improved FT-7P made first flight 9 November 1990 and received MAS production approval 13 May 1992; in production 1996. Overall JJ-7/FT-7 manufacture thought to be nearing end, except for any remaining export or attrition requirements.
CURRENT VERSIONS: JJ-7: Basic domestic version, based on single-seat J-7 II and MiG-21UB.
JJ-7A: PLAAF equivalent of FT-7P.
FT-7: Export version of JJ-7. Two FT-7Bs supplied to Zimbabwe in 1991 are known locally as the FT-7BZ.
Detailed description applies to FT-7 except where indicated.
FT-7P: Stretched version of FT-7 for Pakistan: lengthened by insertion of 0.60 m (1 ft 111/2 in) fuselage plug behind rear cockpit, allowing increased fuel load (for 25 per cent improvement in operational range); additional avionics and one internal 30 mm cannon; AoA sensor on port side of nose. Imported fire-control system; HUD and air data computer; improved instrument layout; two underwing pylons each side.
FT-7PG: Trainer equivalent of F-7PG (but without double-delta wings) for Pakistan Air Force. First flight March 2002.
CUSTOMERS: PLA Air Force (JJ-7). Export deliveries to Bangladesh Air Force (seven FT-7B); Myanmar AF (six FT-7); Pakistan AF (15 FT-7P and six FT-7PG); Sri Lanka AF (one FT-7); Zimbabwe AF (two FT-7B). One more FT-7B was reportedly due for delivery to Bangladesh in 2000.
DESIGN FEATURES: Generally as J-7/F-7 except for twin canopies opening sideways to starboard (rear one with retractable periscope), twin ventral strakes of modified shape, and removable saddleback fuel tank aft of second cockpit. Can provide full training syllabus for all J-7/F-7 versions, plus much of that necessary for Shenyang J-8.
FLYING CONTROLS: As J-7/F-7.
STRUCTURE: As J-7/F-7.
LANDING GEAR: As J-7/F-7.
POWER PLANT: As F-7M. Internal fuel tank arrangement as for F-7M, but fuselage and wing total capacities are 1,880 and 560 litres respectively (496.5 and 148 US gallons; 413.5 and 123 Imp gallons), giving total capacity of 2,440 litres (644.5 US gallons; 536.5 Imp gallons). Internal capacity increased to 2,800 litres (740 US gallons; 616 Imp gallons) in FT-7P. External drop tanks as for F-7M.
ACCOMMODATION: Second cockpit in tandem, with dual controls. Canopies open sideways to starboard.
SYSTEMS: Cockpits pressurised and air conditioned (maximum differential 0.30 bar; 4.4 lb/sq in). Hydraulic system pressure 207 bar (3,000 lb/sq in), flow rates 36 litres (9.51 US gallons; 7.92 Imp gallons)/min in main system, 4 litres (1.06 US gallons; 0.88 Imp gallon)/min in standby system. Pneumatic system pressure 49 bar (711 lb/ sq in). Electrical power provided by QF-12C 12 kW engine-driven starter/generator; 400 A static inverters tor 28.5 V DC power. YX-1 oxygen system for crew. De-icing/anti-icing standard.
AVIONICS: Comms: Include CT-3M VHF com transceiver. Other (unidentified) Chinese nav/com avionics designated Type 222, Type 262, JT-2A and J7L.
Flight: WL-7 radio compass and XS-6A marker beacon receiver. FJ-1 flight data recorder.
ARMAMENT: Single underwing pylon each side (two on FT-7P) for such stores as a PL-2B air-to-air missile, an HF-5A 18-round launcher for 57 mm rockets, or a bomb of up to 250 kg size; can also be fitted with Type 23-3 twin-barrel 23 mm gun in underbelly pack and HK-03E optical gunsight. Gun mounted internally in FT-7P.
| DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL: AS F-7M except |
|
| Length overall, incl probe: FT-7 | 14.87 m (48 ft 91/2 in) |
| FT-7P | 15.47 m (50 ft 9 in) |
| WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS: | |
| Weight empty, equipped: FT-7 | 5,519 kg (12,167 lb) |
| FT-7P | 5,330 kg (11,750 lb) |
| Max fuel weight: internal: FT-7 | 1,891 kg (4,169 lb) |
| FT-7P | approx 2,170 kg (4,784 lb) |
| external | 558 kg (1,230 lb) |
| Max external stores load: FT-7 | 1,187 kg (2,617 lb) |
| Normal T-O weight with two PL-2 air-to-air missiles: | |
| FT-7P | 7.590 kg (16,733 lb) |
| Max T-O weight: FT-7 | 8,555 kg (18,860 lb) |
| FT-7P | 9,550 kg (21,054 lb) |
| Max landing weight: FT-7 | 6,096 kg (13,439 lb) |
| Max zero-fuel weight: FT-7 | 7,300 kg (16,094 lb) |
| Max wing loading: FT-7 | 372.0 kg/m2 (76.18 lb/sq ft) |
| FT-7P | 415.2 kg/m2 (85.04 lb/sq ft) |
| Max power loading: FT-7 | 143 kg/kN (1.40 lb/lb st) |
| FT-7P | 160kg/KN (1.56 Ib/Ib st) |
| PERFORMANCE (FT-7): | |
| Never-exceed speed (VNE) above 12,500 m (41,000 ft) | M2.35 (1,346 kt; 2,495 km/h; 1,550 mph) |
| Max level speed above 12,500 m (41,000 ft) | M2.05 (1,175 kt; 2,175 km/h; 1,350 mph) |
| Max cruising speed at 11,000 m (36,080 ft) | 545 kt (1,010 km/h; 627 mph) |
| Econ cruising speed at 11,000 m (36,080 ft) | 516 kt (956 km/h; 594 mph) |
| Unstick speed | 170-181 kt (315-335 km/h; 196-208 mph) |
| Touchdown speed | 165-175 kt (305-325 km/h; 189-202 mph) |
| Stalling speed, flaps down | 135 kt (250 km/h; 156 mph) |
| Max rate of climb at S/L | 9,300 m (30,510 ft)/min |
| Service ceiling | 17,300 m (56,760 ft) |
| Absolute ceiling | 17,700 m (58.080 ft) |
| T-O run | 827 m (2,715 ft) |
| T-O to 15 m (50 ft) | 931 m (3,055 ft) |
| Landing from 15 m (50 ft) | 1,368 m (4,490 ft) |
| Landing run | 1,060 m (3,480 ft) |
| Range at 11,000 m (36,080 ft): | |
| max internal fuel (clean) | 545 n miles (1,010 km; 627 miles) |
| max internal and external fuel | 788 n miles (1,459 km; 906 miles) |
| max external stores | 708 n miles (1,313 km; 816 miles) |
| g limit with two PL-2B missiles | +7 |
