Chengdu J-9

J-9
General information
Type	Interceptor
Manufacturer	Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation
Designer	Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute
Status	Cancelled in 1980

The Chengdu J-9 (Chinese: 歼-9) was an interceptor aircraft that was cancelled during development in the People's Republic of China (PRC). It was proposed in 1964 by the 601 Institute (Shenyang) as a higher-performing alternative to the Shenyang J-8.^[1] Development was disrupted by the Cultural Revolution and frequently changing requirements; in addition, development was transferred to the 611 Institute (Chengdu). The program was cancelled in 1980.^[2][3]

By 1964, the Chengdu J-7 was inadequate to perform long-range, high-altitude interceptions. The Chinese Aeronautical Establishment held a conference on 25 October to discuss future fighters. The 601 Institute had two proposals; a twin-engined "scaled-up" J-7 which became the J-8,^[4] and a higher-performing single-engined option that became the J-9. The J-9 was technically riskier; it was not based on an existing design, and the required engine - an afterburning turbofan generating 83 kN (19,000 lbf) dry and 121 kN (27,000 lbf) reheat thrust - did not exist in China.^[1] Shenyang developed a delta and a double-delta concept in 1965.^[2]

Development was officially approved following a Ministry of Aerospace Industry (MAI) conference on 12-17 January 1966^[1] with the goal of either an air superiority fighter or a pure interceptor. This was revised on April 1 with new requirements for endurance, rate of climb, and significantly increased range. A development schedule was approved on April 12.^[2] Shenyang responded first with the J-9A-IV (a tailed delta with lateral intakes) and then the J-9B-V (a tailless-delta); the former was unable to meet requirements. The Cultural Revolution paused development.^[2] Development on the J-9B-V resumed in 1968. The goal of flying a prototype by the 20th anniversary of the PRC in October 1969 could not be achieved due to major development problems. MAI shifted work back to the J-9A-IV. In addition, development was transferred to Chengdu because Shenyang was now fully occupied with the J-8. Wang Shounan became the new chief designer.^[2]

The Ministry of Defense issued new requirements on 9 June 1970 - and slightly revised in November - for even greater range, speed, and altitude. Chengdu abandoned the J-9A-IV, and reworked the J-9B-V into the J-9B-VI. The J-9B-VI was a canard-delta with lateral intakes; a single ventral intake was rejected. The intended engine, the Woshan WS-6 turbofan, encountered development problems; a reverse-engineered Khachaturov R29-300 turbojet, to be called the WS-15, was selected as a less powerful alternative.^[2]

The requirements were revised in February 1975, calling for more range and an armament of four PL-4 air-to-air missiles. In November the State Planning Commission approved funding for five prototypes, with the first flight to take place in late-1980 or early-1981. However, the program was ended in 1980.^[2]

Data from ^[2][3]

General characteristics

• Wing area: 55.7 m² (600 sq ft) including canards
• Empty weight: 13,000 kg (28,660 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Woshan WS-6 turbofan engine, 122.5 kN (27,500 lbf) thrust , or "WS-15" (reverse-engineered Khachaturov R29-300) turbojet, 81 kN (18,000 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 at 23,000 m (75,000 ft)
• Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 220 m/s (43,000 ft/min)

Armament

• Missiles: 4 × PL-4 air-to-air missiles

Avionics
Type 205 radar

• Chengdu J-10

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Dassault Mirage 4000
• Saab 37 Viggen
• Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8

Related lists

• List of fighter aircraft

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chengdu J-9.

• Interview - J-9 Chief Designer Wang Nanshou (Chinese language)