Guizhou JL-9

The FTC-2000 started as a GAIEC private venture to develop an inexpensive trainer for fourth generation aircraft. The trainer was revealed at the 2001 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.^[2] The aircraft are reported to be produced at a GAIC assembly line in Anshun, Guizhou.^[3]

The FTC-2000, as the JL-9, competed with the Hongdu JL-10 to meet the advanced trainer requirements of the PLAAF and PLANAF. The JL-10 is more technologically advanced, but also more expensive, than the JL-9. In 2013, both had entered production.^[4]

A carrier-landing trainer variant was revealed by Chinese state media in 2011.^[4] Designated the JL-9G, it has strengthened undercarriage, enlarged wing and diverterless supersonic inlets, but has proved to be unsuitable for arrested landings and is limited to land-based operations.^[5]

On 5 September 2018, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that GAIC had begun mass production of the FTC-2000G variant.^[6] On 28 September, it was reported that the first mass-produced FTC-2000G performed its maiden flight.^[7][8] In April 2020, China reported that an unnamed South-East Asian country had placed an order for the FTC-2000G, with deliveries expected between 2021 and 2023.^[9] Later it was confirmed that Myanmar had ordered those jets.^[10]

The FTC-2000 is developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two seat trainer version of the Chengdu J-7; the Chengdu J-7 is a Chinese variant of the MiG-21. The FTC-2000 uses a new wing, a forward fuselage with side air intakes, and a glass cockpit; the engine, empennage, and mechanical controls of the JJ-7/FT-7 are retained.^[2]

In 2014, the PLANAF had a regiment of JL-9s.^[11] However, it was not until October 18, 2015, that the PLAAF started using the JL-9 for training purposes.^[12]

In April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces of Sudan launched an attack on Merowe Air Base, destroying one Sudanese FTC-2000 while capturing the base.^[13] Satellite imagery has revealed that three more FTC-2000s were present at the base at the time.^[13]

On January 16, 2024, a Myanmar Air Force FTC-2000G was shot down by a Kachin Independence Army FN-6 missile in Shan State. Both pilots were killed.^[14]

• FTC-2000: Original model and export designation.
• FTC-2000G: The FTC-2000G is a dual seat light combat aircraft/lead-in fighter trainer.^[15] It is one of the cheapest light fighters on the market with the aim to replace old legacy fighters like the J-7/F-7 and Mig-21. It has 7 hardpoints.^{[16][better source needed]} It also features a diverterless supersonic inlet.^[17] It made its first flight in September 2018.^[18] Compared to the FTC-2000 trainer variant, the FTC-2000G is heavier,^[16] has a maximum speed of only Mach 1.2^[15] due to a new wing design,^[17][19] and has less endurance^[16] than the FTC-2000. The aircraft can carry a maximum of 3 tons of weaponry.^[15]
• JL-9: Initial PLA variant.
• JL-9G: PLANAF carrier-trainer variant.^[20] It is a modified JL-9 for aircraft carrier training. It is designed for ski-jump ramp takeoffs and simulated arrested landings (land-based).^[21] and includes a tailhook.^[21]

•  People's Republic of China
  • People's Liberation Army Air Force – 30 JL-9^[22]
  • People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force – 28 JL-9, 12 JL-9G^[23]
•  Myanmar
  • Myanmar Air Force — 12 delivered (unknown number ordered)^[24][25][26]
•  Sudan
  • Sudanese Air Force — 5^[27]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 14.555 m (47 ft 9 in) excluding nose-probe
• Wingspan: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
• Height: 4.105 m (13 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 26.15 m² (281.5 sq ft)
• Gross weight: 7,800 kg (17,196 lb) clean

7,900 kg (17,417 lb) normal

• Max takeoff weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) internal + up to 1,302 kg (2,870 lb) in external tanks
• Powerplant: 1 × Guizhou Liyang WP-13F (C) afterburning turbojet, 43.15 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust dry, 63.25 kN (14,220 lbf) with afterburner
  (1 × WP-14C Kunlun-3 for FTC-2000G, 53.89 kN (12,110 lbf) thrust dry and 76.53 kN (17,200 lbf) with afterburner.)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,100 km/h (680 mph, 590 kn) / Mach 0.89
• Unstick and touchdown speed: 260 km/h (160 mph; 140 kn)
• Minimum flying speed: 210 km/h (130 mph; 110 kn)
• Cruise speed: 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn) ^[19]
• Stall speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn) ^[19]
• Range: 863 km (536 mi, 466 nmi) on internal fuel
• Ferry range: 2,400 km (1,500 mi, 1,300 nmi) with maximum internal and external fuel
• Endurance: 3 hours
• Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
• g limits: +8 -3
• Rate of climb: 150 m/s (30,000 ft/min) at sea level
• Wing loading: 374.8 kg/m² (76.8 lb/sq ft)
• Thrust/weight: 0.00645 kN/kg (0.658 lb_f/lb)
• Take-off run: 400–500 m (1,300–1,600 ft)
• Landing run: 700 m (2,300 ft)

Armament

• Guns: 1x 23 mm cannon^[12]
• Hardpoints: 5 with a capacity of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) maximum, with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Other: up to 3 x fuel tanks^[12]
• Missiles: ** Short range air-to-air missile
  • • 2x PL-8 AAMs (on inboard pylons)
    • 2x PL-9 AAMs (on outboard pylons)
  • Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles
    • SD-10 (Only on FTC-2000G)^[15]
  • Anti-radiation missiles
    • CM-102 (Only on FTC-2000G)^[15]

Avionics

• Pulse Doppler radar
• comms
• IFF
• Transponder
• EFIS
• HOTAS
• GPS / INS

Related development

• Chengdu J-7
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
• Project Sabre II
• Shenyang J-8

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Aero L-159 Alca
• Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
• BAE Systems Hawk
• HAL HJT-36 Yashas
• Hongdu JL-10
• KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
• Yakovlev Yak-130
• McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk