Hongdu JL-8

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JL-8 K-8 Karakorum
Image:PAFCATICKarakorum.jpg
Type	Jet trainer Light attack
Manufacturer	Hongdu Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Maiden flight	1990
Introduced	1994
Status	Operational
Primary users	PLA Air Force Pakistani Air Force Egyptian Air Force
Number built	500+[1]

The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8 and K-8 Karokorum) is a two-seat basic trainer and light attack aircraft built in joint-cooperation between Pakistan (Pakistan Aeronautical Complex) and the People's Republic of China (China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation). The contractor for this plane is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. Export versions are designated K-8 Karakorum, after the mountain range that separates China and Pakistan.

Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 Main features 4 Operators 4.1 Current 4.2 Former operators 4.3 Potential customers 5 Specifications (T-4) 6 References 7 External links 8 See also

[edit] History

The trainer was built through joint cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and the PRC. Initially, the aircraft was to feature many American parts, but due to political developments at the end of the 1980s, this plan was scrapped. The first prototype was built in 1989, with the first flight taking place at the end of 1990.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) first received fourteen jets in 1994 after which it decided to order 75 more to replace its fleet of Cessna trainers. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) received its first six jets in 1998. Later Chinese upgrades included indigenous engines. The PLAAF is anticipated to continue adding the trainer to its fleet in order to replace older trainers that are now obsolete.

Other nations have shown interest in the trainer, and it now also serves in the air forces of Egypt, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. While the plane primarily serves as a trainer, it can also be used in the ground-attack role.

Karakorum-8 (K-8), Basic Common Advanced Jet Trainer, is co-developed by Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, and China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC). Chinese designer of the aircraft was Mr. Shi Ping (石屏) and the chief test pilot was Mr. Yang Yao (杨耀).

[edit] Design

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (January 2007)

• Power plant: The K-8 is fitted with the Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan engine with DEEC & hydro-mechanical fuel control system. Because of U.S. sanctions against China, most versions were made with the AL-25 and Chinese WS-11 engines.

• Cockpit layout: The cockpit is designed to meet the latest Military Specification of Aircrew Station Geometry and vision requirements. EFIS made by Collins is fitted in front and rear cockpits. UHF/VHF communication system, TACAN/RADIO COMPASS & ILS are available as per the customers requirement.

• Egress system / escape system: A highly reliable escape system incorporating two Martin-Baker MK-10L fully-automatic rocket-assisted zero-zero ejection seats to ensure survival capability within the entire flight envelope.

• Environmental control system (ECS): The incorporation of most effective AlliedSignal ECS provides a roomy cockpit environment with air conditioning capability even on ground under an ambient temperature of -40 °C to +52 °C.

• Fuel system: The aircraft's fuel system consists of the fuel tanks and the fuel supply/transfer, vent/pressurization, fuel quantity measuring/indicating, fuel refuelling and fuel drain subsystems. The total fuel is contained in two fuselage bladder-type rubber tanks and a wing integral tank of 1720 lb. The capacity of each drop tank is 250 litres.

• Flight control system: The aircraft is equipped with conventional flight control surfaces controlled by a rigid push-rod transmission system and are electrically or hydraulically operated. The aileron control system, of irreversible servo-control type, is composed of a hydraulic booster, an artificial feel device, a feel trim actuator and a rigid push-rod transmission mechanism. The elevator and rudder control system is of reversible push-rod type.

[edit] Main features

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (January 2007)

• Wide speed range and high manoeuvrability: The aircraft has satisfactory flying qualities in accordance with the requirements set forth in MIL-F-8785C IV requirements for highly manoeuvrable aircraft.

• Vision: The aircraft has a good field of view and cockpit arrangement very close to a combat aircraft.

• Engine: The aircraft has an advanced turbofan engine with low specific fuel consumption and minimum operation and maintenance costs.

• Avionics: The aircraft has state-of-the-art equipment (including instrumentation, communication, navigation, etc.) satisfying the requirements of training pilots for the next millennium.

• Highly reliable escape system: The aircraft has an advanced strap-on environmental control system capable of providing cockpit air conditioning, both on the ground and in the air.

• Landing gear: The aircraft has hydraulically-operated wheel brakes and nose-wheel steering.

• Mission: The aircraft has a multi-role capability for training. It may also be used for airfield defence with little modification.

• Service life: The aircraft has 8,000 flight hours of service life for the airframe structure.

• Performance: The aircraft has a long endurance and high service ceiling adequate for a wide range of missions.

• Low life cost: The aircraft has a short turn-around time and a low maintenance workload.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Current

 Egypt

• Egyptian Air Force - 80 + 40 to be assembled in Egypt

 Ghana

• Ghana Air Force - 4 ^[2]

 Myanmar

• Myanmar Armed Forces - 12

 Namibia

• Namibian Air Force - 4

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force - 100 + 20 being produced

 People's Republic of China

• PLA Air Force - 200^[3]

 Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Air Force - 4 ^[4]

 Sudan

• Sudanese Air Force - 12

 Zambia

• Zambian Defence Force - 8

 Zimbabwe

• Air Force of Zimbabwe - 12

[edit] Former operators

 Morocco

• Royal Moroccan Air Force - 20

[edit] Potential customers

 Indonesia

• China has offered the K-8 as a replacement for the Indonesian Hawk Mk.53. Indonesia has not decided yet.^[5]

 Venezuela

• Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has mentioned in May 2008 that Venezuela planned to purchase K-8 planes (unspecified number)24. ^[6]

[edit] Specifications (T-4)

Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide

General characteristics

• Crew: Two pilots in tandem
• Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
• Height: 4.21 m (13 ft 9 in)
• Empty weight: 2,687 kg (5,924 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,330 kg (9,546 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan, 16.01 kN (3,600 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 800 km/h (497 mph)
• Range: 2,250 km (1,214 nm)

Armament

• 1 × optional 23 mm cannon
• 4 ×hardpoints; 943 kg warload; PL-7 AAMs; bombs; rockets

[edit] References

• Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft (2000) p.391-392. NY: Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-2208-0

[edit] External links

• K-8 Karakorum at FAS.org
• K-8 Karakorum at Aerospaceweb.org
• JL-8 at Chinese Defence Today
• Karakorum-8 at PakistaniDefence.com
• K-8 Karakorum at PakDef.info

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

• HAL HJT-36
  

v • d • e PLAAF/PLANAF trainer aircraft CJ-5 • CJ-6 • JL-8 • JL-9 • L-15

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