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Guizhou JL-9

Chinese Advanced trainer & light attack aircraft From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Guizhou JL-9
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The Guizhou JL‑9, also designated as the FTC‑2000 Mountain Eagle (Chinese: 山鹰; pinyin: Shānyīng), is a Chinese two‑seat transonic advanced trainer and light attack aircraft developed by Guizhou Aviation Industry Import/Export Company (GAIEC) to train pilots for fourth‑generation fighters. It first flew on 13 December 2003 and entered limited service in the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force around 2014, and in the Air Force from October 2015. Derived from the Chengdu JJ‑7 (a variant of the MiG‑21U), the JL‑9 features redesigned fuselage and wings, a glass cockpit, and side air intakes. A navalised variant, the JL‑9G, includes structural modifications for carrier pilot training. The export versions FTC-2000 and FTC-2000 G remain in production, and the type remains active in Chinese service, having been exported to Myanmar and Sudan.[1][2]

Quick Facts JL-9, General information ...
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Development

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The FTC-2000 started as a GAIEC private venture to develop an inexpensive trainer for fourth generation aircraft. The trainer was revealed at the 2001 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[3] The aircraft are reported to be produced at a GAIC assembly line in Anshun, Guizhou.[4]

The FTC-2000, as the JL-9, competed with the Hongdu JL-10 to meet the advanced trainer requirements of the PLAAF and PLANAF. The JL-10 is more technologically advanced, but also more expensive, than the JL-9. In 2013, both had entered production.[5]

A carrier-landing trainer variant was revealed by Chinese state media in 2011.[5] Designated the JL-9G, it has strengthened undercarriage, enlarged wing and diverterless supersonic inlets, but has proved to be unsuitable for arrested landings and is limited to land-based operations.[6]

On 5 September 2018, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that GAIC had begun mass production of the FTC-2000G variant.[7] On 28 September, it was reported that the first mass-produced FTC-2000G performed its maiden flight.[8][9] In April 2020, China reported that an unnamed South-East Asian country had placed an order for the FTC-2000G, with deliveries expected between 2021 and 2023.[10] Later it was confirmed that Myanmar had ordered those jets.[11]

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Design

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A FTC-2000 at Zhuhai airshow 2016

The FTC-2000 is developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two seat trainer version of the Chengdu J-7; the Chengdu J-7 is a Chinese variant of the MiG-21. The FTC-2000 uses a new wing, a forward fuselage with side air intakes, and a glass cockpit; the engine, empennage, and mechanical controls of the JJ-7/FT-7 are retained.[3]

Operational history

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A PLAAF JL-9 releasing flare

In 2014, the PLANAF had equipped a regiment with JL-9s.[12] However, it was not until 18 October 2015 that the PLAAF started using the JL-9 for training purposes.[13]

In April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces of Sudan launched an attack on Merowe Air Base, destroying one Sudanese FTC-2000 while capturing the base.[14] Satellite imagery has revealed that three more FTC-2000s were present at the base at the time.[14]

On 16 January 2024 a Myanmar Air Force FTC-2000G was shot down by a Kachin Independence Army FN-6 missile in Shan State. Both pilots were killed.[15] On 10 June 2025 a Myanmar Air Force FTC-2000G was reported as lost due to rebel action in the Sagaing region.[16]

In July 2025, according to local Burmese sources, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) claimed to have shot down a Myanmar military FTC-2000G fighter jet during clashes in Hpasawng town, Karenni (Kayah) State. The jet had gone missing two days earlier while providing air support to junta forces, and wreckage was later reported near a village close to the Bago Region border.[17]

Variants

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FTC-2000G in Zhuhai airshow 2024
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Operators

Specifications (FTC-2000)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 14.555 m (47 ft 9 in) excluding nose-probe
  • Wingspan: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 4.105 m (13 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 26.15 m2 (281.5 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 7,800 kg (17,196 lb) clean
7,900 kg (17,417 lb) normal
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) internal + up to 1,302 kg (2,870 lb) in external tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Guizhou Liyang WP-13F (C) afterburning turbojet, 43.15 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust dry, 63.25 kN (14,220 lbf) with afterburner
    (1 × WP-14C Kunlun-3 for FTC-2000G, 53.89 kN (12,110 lbf) thrust dry and 76.53 kN (17,200 lbf) with afterburner.)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,100 km/h (680 mph, 590 kn) / Mach 0.89
  • Unstick and touchdown speed: 260 km/h (160 mph; 140 kn)
  • Minimum flying speed: 210 km/h (130 mph; 110 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn) [22]
  • Stall speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn) [22]
  • Range: 863 km (536 mi, 466 nmi) on internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 2,400 km (1,500 mi, 1,300 nmi) with maximum internal and external fuel
  • Endurance: 3 hours
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
  • g limits: +8 -3
  • Rate of climb: 150 m/s (30,000 ft/min) at sea level
  • Wing loading: 374.8 kg/m2 (76.8 lb/sq ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.00645 kN/kg (0.658 lbf/lb)
  • Take-off run: 400–500 m (1,300–1,600 ft)
  • Landing run: 700 m (2,300 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x 23 mm cannon[13]
  • Hardpoints: 5 with a capacity of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) maximum, with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Other: up to 3 x fuel tanks[13]
  • Missiles: ** Short range air-to-air missile

Avionics

  • Pulse Doppler radar
  • comms
  • IFF
  • Transponder
  • EFIS
  • HOTAS
  • GPS / INS
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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