China’s Guizhou Aircraft Industries Corporation (GAIC) has rolled out the first FTC-2000 trainer jet for Sudanese Air Force. The aircr...
China’s Guizhou Aircraft Industries Corporation (GAIC) has rolled out the first FTC-2000 trainer jet for Sudanese Air Force.
The aircraft painted in typical Sudanese desert camouflage is first of six aircraft ordered by Sudan in 2015, and revealed in November 2016.
FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle is the export variant of the local JL-9 trainer operated by Chinese PLA Air Force and Navy. The low cost supersonic trainer is based on the Chinese MiG-21 trainer copy JJ-7/FT-7.
The glass cockpit is equipped with integrated control systems, hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls, a pulse Doppler radar and INS/GPS navigation systems.
It is powered by a single Guizhou Liyang WP-13 turbojet engine which is also a Chinese copy of the Tumansky R-13 turbojet that powered the MiG-21.
The two seat aircraft is equipped with four under wing weapon stations that can be configured to carry missiles, fuel tanks and rocket pods for pilot training and combat missions.
The FTC-2000 can train pilots for fourth generation fighter jets and impart realistic combat training for air to air and air to ground attack missions.
Sudanese Air Force already operates Chinese license built versions of MiG-21 and MiG-17.
