AVIC Photo The Chinese PLA Air Force has introduced the Guizhou JL-9 trainer aircraft for cadet training at its Aviation University. T...
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| AVIC Photo |
The Chinese PLA Air Force has introduced the Guizhou JL-9 trainer aircraft for cadet training at its Aviation University. The first training flight was carried out on Oct 18.
The new generation trainer will replace the obsolete JJ-7 trainer, a Chinese license built MiG-21U twin seat trainer.
The JL-9 can undertake flight training for both the second-generation fighters such as the Chengdu J-7 (license built MiG-21) and Shenyang J-8 interceptor and the third-generation fighters such as the FC-1 Thunder (JF-17) and the Su-27.
The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2003, and was first delivered to PLAAF in 2011. Armaments include a 23 mm canon and the five hard points can carry fuel tanks, bombs and missiles.
Also designated the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle, the JL-9 is powered by a single Guizhou Liyang WP-13 after-burning turbojet, which is a copy of Russian Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine rated at 63 kN thrust with afterburner.
An attack variant designated FTC-2000G with seven hard points has been developed.
