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Air ForcesChina

JZ-8 (J-8R)

Reconnaissance fighter aircraftFielded 1972Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
Length 21.39 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeReconnaissance fighter aircraft
Date of introduction1972
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerShenyang Aircraft CorporationMed[1]
Crew1Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length21.39 m70 ftMed[1]
Wingspan9.34 m31 ftMed[1]
Height5.41 m18 ftMed[1]
Wing area42.2 m2Med[1]
Empty weight10,371 kg22,864 lbMed[1]
Gross weight15,288 kg33,704 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight18,879 kg41,621 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 × Guizhou WP-13B afterburning turbojet enginesMed[1]
Thrust / power47.1 kN (10,580 lbf) thrust each dry, 68.6 kN (15,430 lbf) with afterburnerMed[1]
Speed2,300 km/h1,429 mph · 1,242 ktMed[1]
Combat range1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) radius with 3x drop tanksMed[1]
Combat radius900 km559 mi · 486 nmiMed[1]
Service ceiling18,000 m59,055 ftMed[1]
G limits+4.7 sustained at 5,000 mMed[1]
Armament and payload
ArmamentGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23Med[1]
Variants
J-8 (Finback-A) SeriesJ-8 First flew on 5 July 1969. Initial day fighter variant, resembles an enlarged MiG-21. Equipped with 2 x WP-7A turbojet engines, SR-4 ranging radar 2 x Type 30-I 30mm cannon (200 rounds each), and 2 x PL-2 IR-guided AAMs. Limited production.[1]
J-8II (Finback-B) SeriesJ-8II (Finback-B) First flown on 12 June 1984, the improved J-8I prototype with redesigned nose/front section and fuselage. replacing the nose air inlet with a solid nose and lateral air intakes, similar to those of the MiG-23.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23Autocannon
Med[1]
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
23 mm
Rate of fire
3,400–3,600 rounds/min
Summary

JZ-8 (J-8R) Reconnaissance version of J-8 or J-8I. The Shenyang J-8 (Chinese: 歼-8; NATO reporting name: Finback) is a high-speed, high-altitude Chinese-built single-seat interceptor fighter aircraft.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. JZ-8 (J-8R) Chinese Reconnaissance Fighter Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import