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 是开发自从不怎么成功的 J-8C 计划的一个改进型号。F 型被认为是首款真正的“多用途”战斗机并且还是J-8II 系列中功能最强大的一个型号。J-8F 增加的新功能包括新的火控雷达（JL-10 或 1492型）、能够发射 PL-12 (SD-10) 主动雷达制导中程导弹 (MRAAM)、“镜面”坐舱以及更强大的 WP-13BII 涡轮喷气发动机（每台二次燃烧的推力可达 ~7,000 kg）。此外，F 型战机的空对地/对舰攻击能力也被加强。与 J-8D 改进型一样，J-8F 可能还装有空中加油管。
J-8F 在外观方面与 J-8II 系列的早期改进型总体上相似。其最显著的特征是两个机翼上的两个翼栅（以前改进型只有一个）以及机鼻处的雷达天线罩新的火控雷达具有无线电命令转发器，能够在 PL-12 MRAAM 进行“超视距（BVR）”攻击期间对其进行中途更正。如果需要，该雷达可能还会引导俄制 MRAAM，如 R-27 (AA-10) 和 R-77 (AA-12)。该雷达同时改进了空对地和空对海模式，可发射一系列精确制导武器，包括激光或卫星制导炸弹和俄制 Kh-31 反舰导弹。
尽管 J-8F 还未如先进战斗机（如 Su-27 或 Su-30）一般强大，但是它可作为 PLAAF 现有四代战斗机的相对廉价的辅助。F 型首飞于 2000 年，并在 2004 天春季首次成功试射PL-12 MRAAM。F 型于 2003 年进入 PLAAF 服役并且目前仍在生产。
挂雷石制导炸弹的歼-8F,表明已入役成军
