J-8F Fighter
The J-8F is an improved variant developed from the unsuccessful J-8C programme. The F model is regarded as the first true ‘multirole’ fighter and also the most capable variant in the J-8II family. New features to the J-8F include a new fire-control radar (JL-10 or Type 1492?) capable of firing the PL-12 (SD-10) active radar-homing medium-range air-to-air missile (MRAAM), a ‘glass’ cockpit, and more powerful WP-13BII turbojets (each rated at ~7,000kg with afterburning). In addition, the aircraft features enhanced air-to-surface/ship strike capability. Like the J-8D variant, the J-8F could also be fitted with a fixed in-flight refuelling probe.
The J-8F is generally similar to the early variants of the J-8II family in appearance. The most recognisable features are two wing fences on each wing (in contrast to one on previous variants) and the stiffened nose radome. The new fire-control radar has a radio command transmitter to provide mid-course correction for the PL-12 MRAAM during the 'beyond-visual-range' (BVR) attack. If necessary, the radar could also guide Russian-made MRAAM such as R-27 (AA-10) and R-77 (AA-12). The radar also has enhanced air-to-ground and air-to-sea modes to fire a range of precision guided armaments including laser or satellite guided bombs, and the Russian Kh-31 anti-ship missile.
Although the J-8F has yet approached the capabilities of advanced fighter aircraft such as Su-27 or Su-30, it provides a relatively inexpensive supplement to PLAAF’s existing fourth-generation fighter fleet. The aircraft first flew in 2000 and the first successful test fire of the PL-12 MRAAM took place in spring 2004. The fighter entered PLAAF service in 2003 and the production continues.
J-8F 是開發自從不怎麽成功的 J-8C 計劃的一個改進型號。F 型被認為是首款真正的“多用途”戰鬥機並且還是J-8II 係列中功能最強大的一個型號。J-8F 增加的新功能包括新的火控雷達（JL-10 或 1492型）、能夠發射 PL-12 (SD-10) 主動雷達製導中程導彈 (MRAAM)、“鏡麵”坐艙以及更強大的 WP-13BII 渦輪噴氣發動機（每台二次燃燒的推力可達 ~7,000 kg）。此外，F 型戰機的空對地/對艦攻擊能力也被加強。與 J-8D 改進型一樣，J-8F 可能還裝有空中加油管。
J-8F 在外觀方麵與 J-8II 係列的早期改進型總體上相似。其最顯著的特征是兩個機翼上的兩個翼柵（以前改進型隻有一個）以及機鼻處的雷達天線罩新的火控雷達具有無線電命令轉發器，能夠在 PL-12 MRAAM 進行“超視距（BVR）”攻擊期間對其進行中途更正。如果需要，該雷達可能還會引導俄製 MRAAM，如 R-27 (AA-10) 和 R-77 (AA-12)。該雷達同時改進了空對地和空對海模式，可發射一係列精確製導武器，包括激光或衛星製導炸彈和俄製 Kh-31 反艦導彈。
盡管 J-8F 還未如先進戰鬥機（如 Su-27 或 Su-30）一般強大，但是它可作為 PLAAF 現有四代戰鬥機的相對廉價的輔助。F 型首飛於 2000 年，並在 2004 天春季首次成功試射PL-12 MRAAM。F 型於 2003 年進入 PLAAF 服役並且目前仍在生產。
掛雷石製導炸彈的殲-8F,表明已入役成軍
