GAIC JJ-7 (FT-7)

Guizhou Aviation Industry Group · China · first flew 1985 · fighter

The JJ-7, exported as the FT-7, is a tandem two-seat supersonic operational trainer derived from the Chengdu J-7, itself a licence-built development of the MiG-21.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, delta
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Nose intake with pointed shock-cone centrebody
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Tailed-delta wing planform of the MiG-21 family
Tandem two-seat trainer canopy with raised rear seat
Nose intake with pointed shock-cone centrebody

Recognise it by the classic MiG-21 tailed-delta wing, the circular nose intake with a pointed centre shock cone, and the lengthened tandem cockpit with a stepped-up instructor's seat.

Specifications

The GAIC JJ-7 (FT-7) has a length of 14.87 m (49 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.15 m (23 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2175 km/h (1351 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed at Guizhou from the J-7II and MiG-21US, the JJ-7 completed its design in the early 1980s and first flew in 1985. It gave China a fast-jet trainer able to prepare pilots for delta-winged frontline fighters.

Variants

Chinese service versions include the baseline JJ-7 and improved JJ-7A, while the FT-7 export line was tailored to customers operating F-7 fighters, with sub-variants matching different national fleets.

Where you'll see it

Several hundred serve the PLAAF and naval aviation in advanced training, with FT-7 exports to Pakistan and other F-7 operators. It has no RAF role; a UK audience meets it only as the two-seat trainer counterpart to the MiG-21 lineage.

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