Nanchang J-12

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The NAMC J-12 (NATO reporting name unknown, if any) was a lightweight supersonic fighter built in the People's Republic of China for use by the PLAAF. It was one of first serious attempts taken by Chinese aircraft manufacturers to develop a modern jet fighter of indigenous design. Weighing 6,993 lb (3,172 kg) empty, it is one of the lightest jet fighters ever built.

In 1969, the People's Liberation Army Air Force issued a requirement for a small, STOL (short takeoff and landing) lightweight fighter ^[1]. Design of the new aircraft was led by Lu Xiao Peng, with the prototypes being built by the Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company(NAMC). Flight testing of the three prototypes began on December 26, 1970. Performance was disappointing, so additional prototypes were built with improvements such as simplified control surfaces, a lighter area ruled fuselage, and revised intake. All variants looked similar; the J-12 was a small single-seat jet fighter with a low-set swept wings, swept control surfaces, tubular fuselage, and nose intake with small or absent shock cone.

In 1977, development of the J-12 was abandoned, probably because the Chengdu J-7, based on the Soviet MiG-21F, was considered superior. The J-12's main problems were insufficient fire power and engine thrust. The J-12 accumulated 61 hours in 135 flights by 1977. Nine J-12s are believed to have been built.

The designation J-12 may be reused to designate production versions of the Shenyang J-XX, still in development.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 10.3 m (33 ft 9.5)
Wingspan: 7.2 m (23 ft 7.5 in)
Height: 3.73 m (12 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 16.0 m2 (172.2 sq ft)
Empty weight: 3,172 kg (6,993 lb)
Loaded weight: 4,530 kg (9,987 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Wopen WP-6Z Afterburning Turbojet
- Dry thrust: 2,500 kg (5,512 lbf)
- Thrust with afterburner: 4,050 kg (8,929 lbf)