Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix

Revision as of 06:07, 11 February 2020 by Zhenian Master (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix
Jinmu ZF-8 Phoenix.png
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.

Development

Initial work on a new lightweight, multirole fighter began around 1969, when the existing ZF-6 Ikrans proved to be costly to operate in large numbers and the lighter ZF-5 Swordsman interceptors were showing its platform limits. The Greater Eastern Union Air Force and Greater Eastern Union Navy initially demanded that said replacement show high levels of agility, a high thrust-to-weight ratio and the capacity to carry at least 6,000 kg of payload with a combat radius of at least 1,200 km. A number of contenders, including the Paragon Group and Jinmu Heavy Industries, made their bid towards the development of new aircraft; while proposals from Paragon Group depicted a more traditional wing-tail airframe, Jinmu Heavy Industries had proposed a delta wing and canard configuration, which was deemed appropriate and even advantageous for STOL. Jinmu Heavy Industries eventually won the contract in 1971, after which development initiated.

Design Characteristics

Airframe

Propulsion and Maneuverability

Armament

Avionics and Countermeasures

Operational History

Zhenia

Variants

ZF-8A/B
The ZF-8A (single seat) and ZF-8B (twin seat) were the two initial variants of the ZF-8 introduced to the Greater Eastern Union Air Force in 1983. Although all GEUAF units have been upgraded to ZF-8C/D standard by 2010, some later production variants still remain in service in export markets. Although the twin-seat ZF-8B was planned to be only a trainer variant, it became the platform of many variants requiring two pilots, including reconnaissance and deep strike missions.
ZF-8C/D
The ZF-8C (single seat) and ZF-8D (twin seat) was introduced in 1990. A technological leap from the existing ZF-8A/B, the variants feature improved engines, avionics and sensors to further improve the airframe's all-weather multirole capability.
ZF-8E/F
Built from minor improvements of the ZF-8C/D, the ZF-8E (single seat) and ZF-8F (twin seat) is a further improvement on the platform's capabilities, including the addition of an AESA radar, conformal fuel tanks to increase range, improved engines and simplified fly-by-wire controls. It was first introduced to GEUAF service in 2001.
ZF-8R
A derivative of the ZF-8D, the ZF-8R is an ISR variant of the ZF-8R, sporting reconnaissance pods and SIGINT sensors.
ZF-9 Sea Phoenix
A twin-engine, expanded version aimed for operation in the Greater Eastern Union Navy. While it uses different engines and is significantly larger than the ZF-8 Phoenix, it was developed directly from the existing ZF-8 Phoenix line.

Operators

Current Operators

Former Operators

Specifications

ZF-8C (single seater)

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed:
    • At altitude: Mach 2.2 (2,716 km/h)
    • At sea level: Mach 1.3 (1,605.2 km/h)
  • Combat radius: 1,450 km (782.9 nm) on internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 4,500 km (2,429.8 nm) with two external fuel tanks
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 m (56,000 ft) ()
  • Rate of climb: 13,411 m/min (44,000 ft/min) maximum ()
  • Wing loading: 365.27 kg/m2 (74.7 lb/ft2)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.08 (clean, internal fuel only)
  • Instantaneous Turn Rate: 32+ degrees per second
  • Roll Rate: 300+ degrees per second

Armament

  • Guns: 1 x Jinmu GA-20 20 mm autocannon
  • Hardpoints: 11 hardpoints with a capacity of 7,000 kg and provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Bombs: Bombs up to 1,000kg (2,200 lbs)
    • Other:
      • Drop tanks:
        • Drop tank with 800 kg fuel (centerline)
        • Drop tank with 1200 kg fuel (under wing)

ZF-8D (twin seater)

See Also