Nanchang Q-7: Next Generation Attack Aircraft

The Nanchang Q-7 was based on the Nanchang Q-6, a cancelled ground attack project by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group in 1989. It borrows elements from the American F-111, Soviet MiG-23 and Su-24.
The only Chinese ground attack aircraft, the Nanchang Q-5, had a short range and a low payload. A new aircraft was needed to fulfil ground attack and close air support missions to bolster the nation's military capabilities. The Q-6 aircraft incorporates both a ground attack radar as well as terrain-following radar, alongside a fly-by-wire control system. The Q-7 is planned to supersede both the Q-6 and the Q-5.

The Q-7's design is largely based off the Su-24M2 and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It utilizes the 3rd generation Blue Sky and KLJ-7 radars, which provide it with an all-weather, night attack capability. The KLJ-7 radar itself has many radar modes, which include Velocity Searching, Target tracking, Air Combat, Ground Moving Target Indication and Tracking, 3D Reconstruction and Mapping, as well as Air to Ground Ranging, among many others. The Blue Sky pod is the equivalent to the American LANTIRN pod.

It also utilizes several avionics systems from the J-20, including its EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system and EORD-31 infrared search and track systems. It is also able to provide targeting information via datalink. Some avionic systems from the J-10 were also borrowed.

Mirroring the American A-10, it also incorporates a double-redundant hydraulic flight system with a mechanical system as a back up if hydraulics are lost. The aircraft is also meant to be rugged and damage resistant, to the extent where it is capable of flying on one engine, one half of the tail, one elevator, and half of a wing missing. It is also designed to fly at supersonic speeds, mirroring the capabilities of the Su-24. The cockpit and airframe are constructed out of Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy, allowing for an excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, weld and fabricability. The skin is coated with carbon fiber radar absorbing coatings (CFRACs) to lessen radar signature, as well as reduce weight. This allows it to be lighter than the A-10 itself.

All fuel tanks are coated with reticulated polyurethane foam, to allow for sealing in the event of damage.

Variants
Q-7: Single seated variant

Q-7B: Tandem seated variant

Q-7E: Export variant

Specifications
Crew: 1
Length: 22.5m
Wingspan: 17.53 m
Height: 5m
Empty weight: 10,050 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 24,500kg
Internal fuel capacity: 18,000 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Xian WS-15 afterburning turbofans, 180 kN (with afterburner) each, 360 kN total

Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2469.6 km/h)
Cruise speed: 780 km/h
Combat radius: 480 km at 3 hour loiter
Service ceiling: 20,000 m

Avionics:

EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system
EORD-31 infrared search and track system
3rd generation Blue Sky nav/attack pod
KLJ-7 X-band fire control radar
BM/KG300G self-protection jamming pod
KZ900 electronic reconnaissance pod
Blue Sky navigation/attack pod
FILAT (Forward-looking Infra-red Laser Attack Targeting) pod

Guns:

1× 30 mm H/PJ-11 Gatling gun

Hardpoints: 12 (8 x under the wing, 4 x under fuselage) - can carry the following

Rockets:
6x 122mm spin-stabilized rockets (from the Type 81)

Missiles:

2× PL-15 BVR long range AAM or
PL-21 Long Range AAM.
6× TL-6 anti-ship missiles, or
YJ-83 subsonic anti-ship missiles, or
AKD-10 air-to-surface missiles, or
LJ-7 air-to-surface anti-tank missiles, or
YJ-91 air-to-surface anti-radiation missiles


Bombs:

Unguided, Conventional bombs
LS-6 Precision-guided bomb


Other:

2× Chaff dispenser pods
2× 2,500L drop tanks