The Chengdu J-9 (

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: 歼-9) was an

interceptor aircraft An interceptor aircraft, or simply interceptor, is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically for the defensive interception role against an attacking enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Aircraft that are cap ...

that was cancelled during development in the

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(PRC). It was proposed in 1964 by the 601 Institute (Shenyang) as a higher-performing alternative to the

Shenyang J-8 The Shenyang J-8 (Simplified Chinese characters, Chinese: 歼-8; NATO reporting name: Finback) is an interceptor aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, 601 Institute (Shenyang) in the People's Republic of China (PRC). It ...

.Gordon and Komissarov (2008): page 90 Development was disrupted by the

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and frequently changing requirements; in addition, development was transferred to the 611 Institute (Chengdu). The program was cancelled in 1980.Gordon and Komissarov (2008): page 91Gordon and Komissarov (2008): page 92

Development

By 1964, the

Chengdu J-7 The Chengdu J-7 (Chinese: 歼-7; third generation export version F-7; NATO reporting name: Fishcan) is a People's Republic of China fighter aircraft. It is a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, and thus shares many si ...

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,Gordon and Komissarov (2008): page 75 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 dry and reheat thrust - did not exist in China. Shenyang developed a delta and a double-delta concept in 1965. Development was officially approved following a

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(MAI) conference on 12-17 January 1966 with the goal of either an

air superiority fighter An air superiority fighter (or air-superiority fighter) is a fighter aircraft designed to seize control of enemy airspace by establishing tactical dominance ( air superiority) over the opposing air force. Air-superiority fighters are primarily ...

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. 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. 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. The

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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 The Woshan WS-6 was an unsuccessful turbofan development program from the People's Republic of China. Development started as part of the "Aviation Industry Science and Technology Development Program for 1978-1985" with the larger goal of develop ...

turbofan, encountered development problems; a reverse-engineered Khachaturov R29-300 turbojet, to be called the WS-15, was selected as a less powerful alternative. The requirements were revised in February 1975, calling for more range and an armament of four

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s. 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.

Specifications (J-9B-VI)

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links