Nothing Comes Without a Cost

From the imported MiG-9 jet of 1950, to the national pride of indigenous stealth fighters via copied Russian types cross millennium, Chinese aviation engineers worked all their lives to get where they are today.  Since its first successful MiG-17 copy (Re-designated J-5) in 1956, nearly 10,000 aircraft churned out under dozens of designations.  This industrialization is achieved through a long struggling, its success have eventually outperformed the grotesque neighbor on measures of defense might.  Especially right after the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979, its air power modernization changed from flying artillery to air superiority dominance. 

When China proudly unveils its KJ-200, KJ-2000 J-10, J-11, and J-15 in dazzling Zhuhai 2016 and previous air shows, there were several unsuccessful projects, namely, J-8, J-9, J-12 and J-13 etc. were aborted.  Though these designs became obsolete even before accomplished, they laid the foundation of the integral development of the overall aviation industry.  After its Maoist-fueled isolationism sentiment diminished in 1978, Grumman joined the Shenyang Aircraft Corp. (Plant 112)'s J-8 project under the code Engineering 82 in 1986.  In this unparalleled 14 years R&D, it's rival, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp. (Plant 132)'s J-10 project surpassed J-8 by a decade, soon the CAIC was chosen to produce Boeing 757's empennage and MD-80/9o's nose section.

China has the ability of have a coherent conversation and achieve consensus, on topics of national importance, then real progress become possible.  Unlike this longing for self-sustainability, Taiwan heads big-ticket weaponry purchase in an apparently misguided attempt to pay its protection fee to the US.  In a standoff air combat, the J-11 with ZHUK-M radar can easily outclass both Taiwanese Mirage 2000-5 with Mica missile, and F-16MLR with AIM-120 missile; let along the superb maneuverable J-15 in dog fight.  Lucky for the intentionally blinded Taiwanese not falling on this issue.  Across the Taiwan Strait, the historical march toward a more stable and less violent era continues, but not without chilly times ahead for the island state.

Reform and Opening Up Thrust

Until mid-1990s, J-8 and Su-27 were the only modern types in the Chinese fighter strength, but they were only 2.5% of a huge fleet of over 5,000 planes.  In the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square incident, the western world, e.g. Italy and U.S. imposed technology blockade against China.  Afterwards in their place came Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI) and Russian Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA).  In order to upgrade in-demand avionics, fire control and powerplant technologies, which hampered at least four pilot fighter projects, the new strategy incorporate a melting pot of foreign technology and acquired design methods.

Entered full scale R/D, primarily on avionics and fire control, J-8II emerged as a multirole, all-weather fighter.  Within the span of four decades, there were about 300 J-8 variants in People's Liberation Army Air Force and Navy Air Force service as of early 2011.  If not match the U.S. and Russian counterparts, its interception, close air support, and interdiction capabilities are still regionally unchallenged.  Furthermore, its Russain Zhuk radar also supported J-10 fighter.  As a replacement of aging J-6 and J-7, IAI Lavi’s nine controls surfaces and Su-27’s engine are adopted by J-10, such that it is as agile as F-16.

Unlike J-8, J-10, and Su-27 variants serve both PLAAF and PLAN, JH-7 fighter bomber only fly with PLAN due to its early buggy design.  Its payload was restricted by the underpowered licensed-built Spey turbofan, a 1960s design.  However, a muscly naval fast deploy force was formed with upgraded JH-7B.  It features increased payload, a brand new avionics system, and a more powerful engine.  Its combat radius is extended via aerial refueling capability.  These boosts aren't ripple, there are full-on waves.  Opening up and progress on one side of Taiwan Strait does not mean rocky path ahead for other side, unless it is seized by continuous inward-looking and self-defeating populist movements.

Cleared for Takeoff?

A Chinese copy of the Antonov An-12, Y-8 has become the workhorse of PROC’s airlift strength from 1980; and its growth is a microcosm of New China.  Since 1949, PROC’s development has lurched forward like a man with one strong leg to pull him ahead and one gimp limb dragging behind.  A leg of industrial potential and a limb of Maoist cult, Chinese progress frenemy to the future had its shoelaces tied together until the Reform and Opening-up in 1978.  Lack of modern military and civilian transport/cargo carrier, in 1968 the Department of Aviation Industry (3^rd Mechanical Engineering Department) issued the Y-8 specifications.  Later its R/D in the Shanxi Aircraft Corporation was impeded by the political hotheadedness.

In 1972-75 most superintendents of the 3^rd MED were purged and replaced by party reps.  These political commissars may be the right men for puffing up Mao's Cultural Revolution, but at wrong time in aviation development.  They never accomplished an objective and consistent measure for manufacturing planning, while valuable time and countless resources were wasted.  However, silver linings among the threatening political clouds.  In 1980, the Y-8 design was finalized and mass production started.  By 2010, Y-8 is reported 169 units had been built.  Among its 26 variants, Y-8C full air-tight type is the major product in the Y-8 family, and the first medium size/medium range tactical transport over the Chinese sky.

In addition to Y-8, neither aviation programs, nor any project at all turned out to be progressing smoothly during the riotous Maoist era.  The Chinese Communism is unambiguously negative for the state, which is based on losing-ideology and could descend into chaos as party leaders vie for control.  When a Y-8 variant, KJ-200 AWACS, pompously unveiled in 2014 Zhuhai air show, dangerous rivalries were cleared by thousands nationwide.  Then a state awash with heavy weaponry almost tear open this finely woven patchwork of loyalties, with party’s oligarchies still fail to fall in line.