China begins flight tests of a new version of the training aircraft JL-9, dubbed Sword Fish. The aircraft is designed to train naval pilots, primarily carrier-based fighters.
The Chinese company Guizhou has created a new version of the Guizhou JL-9 combat training aircraft, adapting it for use from aircraft carriers. It is assumed, that the new aircraft will be used to train pilots on land in a simulator, imitating the deck of an aircraft carrier, since China does not have full-fledged training aircraft for carrier-based aviation.
The aircraft with the designation JL-9G received a slightly modified airframe in the nose and tail parts., as well as an elongated wing. However, the landing gear of the aircraft remained unchanged., apparently, this is done to land the aircraft on ground airfields and can be corrected later, because the development of the aircraft is still underway.
Guizhou JL-9 combat training aircraft
JL-9 (FTC-2000 – export name) designed and manufactured by the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC). Created since the late 1990s. Made his first flight 13 December 2003 of the year. Serial production of JL-9 for the PLA Air Force and Navy is carried out with 2011 of the year. It is a deep modernization of the JJ-7 aircraft. (MiG-21UB), with the preservation of the main layout solutions, components and assemblies of this aircraft. When viewed up close for everyone, who once dealt with the MiG-21, the similarities of these machines seem even more obvious.
Double plane has a length 14,6 meters and wingspan 8,3 m. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 9,8 tons.
The JL-9 is capable of flying at speeds up to 1,1 thousands of kilometers to 863 kilometers. He is armed with an aircraft gun of caliber 23 millimeter and is equipped with five suspension points to accommodate missile and bomb weapons and external tanks. Total payload mass – 2 tons.
