NAMC (Nanchang) J-12

J-12

The NAMC J-12 was, if not the first, certainly one of the earliest, attempts by China to build a modern, indigenous jet fighter. A requirement for a lightweight fighter (literally, Small Fighter), similar in concept to the American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, was issued by the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 1969. Three prototypes were built, the first of which flew late in 1970. Sources describe the performance of the J-12 as "indifferent;" consequently the design was re-vamped extensively. Either three or six additional aircraft were built and tested beginning in 1975. They featured an area-ruled fuselage, revised air intake, simplified wing control devices and lighter structure. The cannon armament was slightly relocated to a more rearward location as well. A total of 61 hours of flight time in 135 flights had occurred by early 1977, when the J-12 program was cancelled. Reasons for the end of the program included insufficient armament and engine power, and the fact that the locally-built J-7 version of the Soviet MiG-21F-13 was considered superior overall. Despite the length of the J-12 program, it only came to light in the open Western press in the late 1970's - early 1980's; at that, only little was known. The F-12 (Westernized designation) was erroneously believed to be a Mach 2 - class fighter powered by two license-built Rolls-Royce RB.168-25R Spey Mk 202M turbofans. It was not until more than a decade after its cancellation that more accurate details were revealed.

Timeline

• 1969: Lightweight fighter requirement issued by PLAAF.
• 26 December 1970: First flight of first prototype.
• July 1975: First flight of definitive, refined prototype.
• January 1977: Project cancelled.

Specifications	J-12
Designer(s)	Lu Xiao-Pcheng (or Lou Xiaopeng, or Lu Xiao Peng)
Mission Type	Lightweight STOL air-superiority fighter
Powerplant	1 x 5,512 lb (2,500 kg) s.t. Wopen WP-6Z turbojet, 8,929 lb (4,050 kg) reheated thrust, or 1 x 7,165 lb (3,250 kg) s.t. Wopen WP-6 turbojet
Dimensions
Span	23 ft 7.5 in (7.2 m)
Length	33 ft 9.5 (10.3 m)
Height	12 ft 3 in (3.73 m)
Wing area	172.2 sq ft (16.0 m2)
Weights
Empty	6,993 lb (3,172 kg)
Loaded	9,987 lb (4,530 kg)
Take-off	--
Max	--
Performance
Max speed (clean)	808 mph @ 36,090 ft (1,300 km/hr @ 11,000 m) (Mach 1.22)
Cruise speed	--
Max climb rate	35,433 ft/min (180 m/sec)
Initial climb rate (sl)	35,425 ft/min (180 m/sec)
Initial climb rate (36,100 ft / 11,000 m)	12,800 ft/min (65 m/sec)
Service ceiling	55,350 - 55,675 ft (16,870 - 16,970 m)
Range (max internal fuel, 7% reserve)	427 miles (371 nm, 688 km)
Endurance	--
Armament	1 x 23 mm cannon in starboard wing root 1 x 30 mm cannon in port wing root 1 x centerline station for weapons or fuel 2 x wing stations for weapons or fuel (usually two short-range AAMs)
Crew	One
User	China (PLA Air Force, not operational)
Number built	Either six or nine (three prototypes and six pre-series, or six total)
Construction Numbers	?
Serial Numbers	Unknown (known markings include '02,' '145,' '7012,' '7112')
Unofficial Nickname	'Air Li Xiangyang' (Li Xiangyang apparently is a famous guerilla captain in a Chinese movie)

Additional Information:

Notes:
• NAMC: Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company.
• Wopen WP-6: Locally-built Tumanksy RD-9BF-811.
• J-12 = Jianjiji-12 (Fighter-12); Westernized as F-12.
More images found on the Internet (download Zip file, 250 Kb).

Web Links

• China-Defense.com
  • The original J-12 and J-11
• TOTAVIA / Adrian Cybriwsky Aviation Image Archives
  • Direct links to images (large):
    • Image One
    • Image Two

Sources

1. Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An illustrated encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown. Salamander Books, London, 1994. ISBN 0-86101-643-2.
2. Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1980-81. ISBN 0-7106-0705-9.
3. Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1989-90. ISBN 0-7106-0896-9.

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