In case ya’ll didn’t see this earlier, it’s a snapshot of China’s new carrier jet trainer dubbed the JT-9 that China Defense Blog spotted on the PLA Daily website. Yup, building this trainer is a serious step toward qualifying pilots to fly off China’s soon-to-be complete aircraft carrier Shi Lang. The PLAN intends to use that ship to figure out how to operate an aircraft carrier — one of the world’s most complex and powerful weapon systems — successfully.
Here’s a great broken English translation of what the little jet is designed to do from the Chinese site:
“This type of fighter trainer will be mainly used by the pilots of the ship-based fighters to conduct simulated take-off and landing training on carrier deck.”
These simulated take-offs and landings are probably being done at several mock-ups of the Shi Lang’s flight deck — complete with arrestor cables and a ski jump ramp — reported to exist in China. Once pilots learn the basics of flying off a carrier, they’ll likely move on to the J-15 — an upgraded Chinese version of Russia’s Sukhoi Su-33 naval fighter.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Bring some to the US for Civil Sport Av use?? or for AF Air Tech Intelligence to examine??
The rear is classic Fishbed
Yeah, I did a double take when I saw the rear. A good way to use those old MiG-21s!
Almost all of it is a classic fishbed except for the nose and simplified wings. After repeated setbacks in thier previous Lead in Trainer programs China went back to the drawing board and re-jiggered the classic J-7 design into a trainer. While it’s likely that PLAANAF ground based units will train on JL-9s, I don’t think there’s any way in **** you’re going to get a warmed over Mig-21 to land on a carrier. Especially with the dinky landing gear in those pictures.
I’d chalk this up to bad translation rather than an actual intent to use this on the deck of a ship.
Same here this a regurgitated J-7 MIG-21 which might be ther light attack plane for there carrier????
Hey, a mini-F4 Phantom! : o
"Yup, building this trainer is a serious step toward qualifying pilots to fly off China’s soon-to-be complete aircraft carrier Shi Lang."
I have hardly ever seen this name thrown around on the Chinese forums as a possibility. This seems to be some lie concocted by the western media.
I see the front of an F4, the wing section of an F5, and the tail of a Mig21… Anyone else see that?
Wings look more like a Su-15 FLAGON-F to me.
Look at the bottom photo, you can see a hook.
It might be, but to me it looks more like an optical illusion caused by the color scheme on the ventral fin. Time will have to tell, I suppose.
Regards & all,
Thomas L. Nielsen
Luxembourg
Blow the image up, you can tell then: http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5632/jl9hjun10…
http://www.china-defense-mashup.com/wp-content/up…
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWD_xT_ThwQ/TfLChE3wn3I…
Aarrr matey…that be a tailhook, awright :-)
Regards & all,
Thomas L. Nielsen
Luxembourg
I'm not sure if the photo on the top is a carrier-trainer variant. While the one on the bottom definatly is, the carrier variants have clearly visible arrestor-hooks while the land based variants don't. I think the one on top is a traditional trainer.
The Fishbed family's high landing speeds will make those landings even more fun.
Resembles someone or take big portion of other…Was choosed by chinese air force as advanced trainer. They (maybe you too) fly Su-27, Su-30, J-20, Fj-17 and more and more planes and try build them….I bit more than me must to know. Age: F-16, F-15, F-18 hornet, Mig-29/35, SU-27 date from lastest seventy…and going fly around many years, as fronline fighthers (updated off course but electronics) For a Advanced Trainer a finished Mig-21 sounds good for me. Naval: as I had say if full producction begins got navalised nor was much a deal. Other side Chinese military its a carrier wannabe in the very beggining i land on "painted decks" over tarmac any stupid aviator can shunk "my long, long time, long time, love.."
I think Chinese pretends a compromise, If they ask me (never happen) I put my eggs on Tanks and Air Defenses. Aren´t time enought.
I know that I am getting in a little late on this thread but I believe that the New Jt-9 is a very nice looking bird. It looks like the FC-7 or MiG 21 and a two seat version of the FC-1 Thunder in the nose and intakes. I think the blending of designs has worked every well. I don't know if the outer wing sections fold, but it looks as though they might. Anyway; the Chinese are embarking on an arms build up that will end up in them wanting to flex some of that muscle in the not to distant future; on that you can rest assured. In the mean time this addition to their aircraft inventory will progress the PLAAF and Naval forces forward with a, if not a next generation aircraft; at least a closer step towards a next generation Trainer / Fighter. I for one love the MiG 15 UTI as a classic Trainer. But then It's a lot slower, and easier to see when they fly by. I'd like to know more about the JT-9, and in time we'll see what news comes out of China on these matters. in the mean time lets enjoy the show and and make our predictions. Keep-Em Flying Best Regards to all.
Mikey McGaw