Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix

Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix
The ZF-8A in its initial iteration, introduced in 1983.
Role	Multirole combat aircraft
National origin	Zhenia
Manufacturer	Jinmu Heavy Industries
First flight	1978
Introduction	1983
Primary user	Greater Eastern Union Air Force
Produced	1983-Present
Number built	2,704 (2019)
Variants	See Variants

The Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix (Zhenian designation: 진무 ZF-8 불사조), nicknamed Phoenix both domestically and internationally, is a Zhenian single-engine, all-weather, lightweight multirole fighter aircraft developed and built by Jinmu Heavy Industries. It is one of the most widely-produced Zhenian-made military aircraft since 1980, with over 2,700 units produced since its introduction.

The most notable characteristics of the ZF-8 Phoenix include the usage of fly-by-wire controls on a delta wing and canard design all powered by a single engine, which is the core factor in its high maneuverability and relatively light weight, optimizing it for close-range air-to-air combat and scrambling. Improvements to its highly adaptable platform as well as its versatile payload, however, has resulted in it gaining an edge in beyond visual range (BVR) and air-to-surface combat as well. While its primary operator is the Greater Eastern Union Air Force, it has been widely exported to foreign air forces.

Operators

Current Operators

• Greater Eastern Union Air Force: 985 units still in operation as of February 2020. Almost all units to be replaced by the ZF-33 Dragon by 2030.