Image of the Improved Chinese Guizhou JL-9/ FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle Fighter Jet Trainer.
Improved JL-9/ FTC-2000 Fighter Jet Trainer appears to be using Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) to extend its range.
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) may use improved JL-9 with tailhook may be use to train new fighter pilots in aircraft carrier operations.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is using the JL-9 fighter jet trainer to prepare its pilots for its advance Chengdu J-10 and Su-27SK, Su-30MKK and J-11 fighter jets.
JL-9 uses a single WP-13F(C) turbojet engine.
China is promoting the JL-9 fighter jet trainer as FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle (ShanYing).
JL-9 can carry 2000kg payload on its 4 underwing and one under the fuselage hard points.
China is pushing FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle Fighter Jet Trainer as a cheap lead in fighter trainer to provide pilot training for current and next-generation fighters.
JL-9 Fighter Jet Trainer is based on the Chinese JJ-7/FT-7 (Dual-seat J-7 trainer).
JL-9 Fighter Jet Trainer replaces the old inlet cone of the JJ-7/FT-7 with a solid nose radome and two side intakes.
I think that the FTC-2000 or JL-9 Mountain Eagle is a great looking A/C. You can see the ancestry of the MiG 21 in the aft section and the F-7 Air Guard wing. But when an airplane looks good; it probibly flys good too. I'd give almost anything to get a ride in the back seat. I wouldn't dought that Pakistan will be buying them for lead in trainers to the JF-17 / FC-1 that they are building at PAC. They do look like close cousins. Anyway it's fun to watch these birds progress. I wish tat there were some detailed 3 view line drawings of both of them. I'd like to build a scale model or two.
ReplyDeleteCheers. . .