Difference between revisions of "J-7E"
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]]. | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]]. | ||
| − | Based on the already well-developed [[J-7II]] and its modifications (J-7IIH/B/M; C/D), the J-7E offers a very different way to upgrade a [[MiG-21 (Family)|Fishbed]] - not only does it have a more powerful engine and additional fuel, it also comes with the iconic Chinese Fishbed's double-delta wing with slats, making it a formidable competitor in terms of overall manoeuvrability and especially at lower speeds, which no Soviet Fishbed can ever offer. With its newer PL-5B missile, the J-7E can prove its abilities over | + | Based on the already well-developed [[J-7II]] and its modifications (J-7IIH/B/M; C/D), the J-7E offers a very different way to upgrade a [[MiG-21 (Family)|Fishbed]] from the Soviet approach - not only does it have a more powerful engine and additional fuel, it also comes with the iconic Chinese Fishbed's double-delta wing with slats, making it a formidable competitor in terms of overall manoeuvrability and especially at lower speeds, which no Soviet Fishbed can ever offer. With its newer PL-5B missile and large countermeasure capacity, the J-7E can prove its abilities over its competitors and use its amazing manoeuvrability to dominate close-quarters engagements in the hands of a good pilot. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
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{{Specs-Avia-Flight}} | {{Specs-Avia-Flight}} | ||
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' --> | ||
| − | + | The J-7E's airframe looks similar to the [[J-7II]] aside from the double delta wings, having a small nose and no fuselage spine like the early [[MiG-21F-13]] it was developed from. This contrasts with the Soviet MiG-21s, where from the [[MiG-21PFM]] onward, the noses and fuselage spines were enlarged to house search radars and hold additional fuel, respectively. To compensate for the increased weight and aerodynamic penalties, Soviet designers installed increasingly powerful engines. Even though the J-7E's new WP-13F (reverse engineered R-13-300 with some newer technologies) engine lags behind the [[MiG-21SMT]] and [[MiG-21bis]]'s engines in terms of maximum thrust, the J-7E actually weighs less than the [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]] and can make the most of its engine power. The acceleration and climb are not on the level of the legendary MiG-21bis but still competitive for a top rank fighter. | |
| − | + | Thanks to the new engine and the slat-equipped double-delta wings, the J-7E has one of the most impressive manoeuvrability among all the current top-tier aircraft. The turn time is a whopping 29 secs even when stock in RB, leaving most its competitors (other than F-5 family) behind by at least 3 second. Low-speed maneuverability and high-speed energy retention are greatly improved, addressing long-standing issues with the Fishbed family and presenting a pleasant surprise to new pilots. It is possible to make sustained high-G turns at above 1000 km/h IAS without losing much airspeed at all and maintain good nose authority during spiral climbs or dogfights at near-stall speeds. The slats still work at 900 km/h, which helps with gun snapshots or missile leading at high speeds. The wing loading is also lower than most contemporaries other than the [[J35D]] and [[Mirage IIIC]], which feature full tailless delta wings. The J-7E is very solid in close combat and can compete with Mirages and F-5s while dancing around heavier aircraft like Phantoms. | |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%" | ||
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{{Specs-Avia-Armour}} | {{Specs-Avia-Armour}} | ||
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | <!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | ||
| − | The J-7E comes with a 10 mm plate behind pilot's head and a 16 mm plate behind the ejection seat, while it doesn't prove to be much of a concern of cannons, it does help to stop some smaller caliber gunfire; as well as a 60 mm windshield that is durable enough to take some shots than all the remaining part of the aircraft. | + | |
| + | The J-7E comes with a 10 mm plate behind pilot's head and a 16 mm plate behind the ejection seat, while it doesn't prove to be much of a concern of cannons, it does help to stop some smaller caliber gunfire; as well as a 60 mm windshield that is durable enough to take some shots than all the remaining part of the aircraft. The armor still doesn't count for much considering that top-tier aircraft primarily rely on missiles and tend to have very powerful guns, so avoid being hit. | ||
=== Modifications and economy === | === Modifications and economy === | ||
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* 1 x 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, belly-mounted (60 rpg) | * 1 x 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, belly-mounted (60 rpg) | ||
| − | Because the addition of a new fuel tank to the lower left side of the aircraft and | + | Because the addition of a new fuel tank to the lower left side of the aircraft and compensation for the weight of newer missiles, unlike its predecessor, the J-7E has only a single Type 30-1 cannon on the starboard side. It does have good ballistics and firepower (a few hits will rip apart most aircraft), but for pilots without good aiming skills the stingy 60 round ammo capacity will be very painful. Experienced pilots may prefer it over the 23 mm cannon used by most Soviet Fishbeds due to its accuracy and stopping power. In SB, the J-7E comes with a HUD and the ranging radar is linked to it, making it somewhat useful to track down enemies and gun them down with a bit more precision. However, pilots do need to compensate the offset of the starboard gun and aim a bit towards the left when shooting at closer ranges. Players used to the [[MiG-21F-13]] should be aware that the J-7E's gun is mounted on the opposite side of the aircraft compared to the F-13's port side placement. |
| + | |||
| + | Belt selection is largely up to personal taste but the Armoured Targets belt is generally the most consistent, often dealing hefty kinetic damage to enemy aircraft. The APHE rounds have about 60 mm of penetration but it is not advised to use the gun against ground targets in mixed battles; they can be effective against thinly armored targets, but the limited ammunition should be reserved for aircraft and going on gun runs is very dangerous against top-tier SPAA vehicles. | ||
=== Suspended armament === | === Suspended armament === | ||
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* 2 x PL-5B missiles + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets | * 2 x PL-5B missiles + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets | ||
* 28 x Type 90-1 rockets | * 28 x Type 90-1 rockets | ||
| + | |||
| + | The J-7E has a lot of loadouts and ordnance options to choose from. Several loadouts contain PL-2 missiles, and while the stock option of twin PL-2s is better than nothing, these primitive IR missiles are unlikely to hit anything in top-tier battles besides extremely complacent targets and should be avoided once the PL-5Bs are researched. The PL-5B is the first competitive missile available to any PLAAF fighter in War Thunder and is a strong selling point of the J-7E compared to its predecessors. It is listed as having a 20 G overload, equal to the [[AIM-9J]], and has a wide acquisition envelope like the [[AIM-9G]]. There are a few downsides. First, it only has a 4 G launch overload, which causes issues during heated turning engagements. Second, the seeker head is sensitive and will often chase after flares. Third, it currently has a strange weight of 148 kg, nearly twice as heavy as its contemporaries, and this negatively affects its maneuverability while allowing it to better maintain its speed over long distances. Use the PL-5Bs thoughtfully, either at long range and high altitude against unaware opponents or at opportune moments in closer combat where an enemy will not be able to pull hard and the J-7E can relax its overload for a split second to launch the missile (the wide acquisition envelope helps with this). The J-7E lacks any radar-guided missiles and cannot surprise targets in head-on engagements. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The J-7E's ordnance improvements are not limited to air-to-air combat. For ground attack, it has access to 250 kg and 500 kg bombs like the J-7II, but it now uses much improved Type 90-1 and Type 130-2 rockets as seen on the [[Q-5A]] instead of the weak 57 mm HF-5 rockets. It also has a ballistic computer and two hardpoints per wing. The Type 90-1 rockets are equivalents of the US FFAR rockets and nothing special. The Type 130-2 rockets are the most powerful pod-launched rockets in War Thunder and can crack tanks open with direct hits or near misses. The Type 130-2s are launched in pairs, so two rocket pods will provide 4 salvos and four rocket pods will provide 8. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Multirole loadouts combining missiles and rockets, missiles and bombs, or bombs and rockets are available. They may be useful in mixed battles to give the J-7E more tactical flexibility, for example bringing two Type 130-2 rocket pods to destroy a ground target or two while retaining a pair of PL-5Bs for fending off enemy aircraft. The [[F-5A (China)|ROCAF F-5A]] is still more versatile than the J-7E when it comes to mixed loadouts and has access to powerful air-to-ground missiles, but it is also less versatile and has a harder time defending itself. | ||
== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | ||
| − | + | The J-7E is something like a hybrid between a MiG-21 and an F-5 in terms of flight performance and role. It obviously is an evolution of the Fishbed and enjoys much of the MiG-21's strengths in top speed, acceleration, and climb. At the same time, the new design corrects many of the MiG-21's vices and it ends up being a very nimble dogfighter that can turn well and maintain its energy like an F-5. This makes it quite versatile. At the beginning of a match, the J-7E can sideclimb and make its way to medium or high altitude, then cruise into battle at supersonic speeds. Distracted targets at similar altitudes are prime missile targets. When it is time to join the furballs below, the J-7E can swoop in on vulnerable targets and put its agility to use. | |
| − | + | Gunning straight into combat at lower altitude from the start of a match, which is customary for Fishbeds, is also an option. Start to "patrol" for anyone who is possibly in their tunnel vision (where a person has only a little FOV due to his speed), then go ahead and assault them with your powerful PL-5B AAMs. They can make short work of the enemies in an ideal case but do keep your launch overload in check as mentioned. If you only have PL-2s, which are barely better than no missiles, or even worse, only the cannon left, be very cautious on when should you fire a burst or launch the missiles. If you wasted the chance, pilots can meet their demise pretty quick if your team is on the disadvantage. And it should be reminded that unless really necessary or it is one-on-one dual with your enemy, in most cases DO NOT dogfight for very long times to avoid presenting a slow and easy target for outside enemies to pick off. But if you have to, bleed the opponent's energy as much as you could: your higher thrust-to-weight ratio and double-delta shine here, assisting in getting on the enemy's six and staying there. | |
| + | |||
| + | The new PL-5B introduced to the PLAAF arsenal can on paper pull 20 G upon its targets while suffering from a 4G launch limit and an unusual weight. As discussed earlier, it is unwise to use the PL-5B as a close range dogfight missile in the same way as the AIM-9J. It is definitely leagues ahead of the PL-2 and can still work in a pinch, but long range shots against unaware opponents are safer kills. The PL-5B can send careless enemies straight back to the hangar upon a successful impact with its higher explosive equivalent load. But all this come at a price: you only have the starboard Type 30-1 cannon as the last ditch weapon, and thus you have only 60 rounds just like the original [[MiG-21F-13]]. Players who have experience with the [[J-6A]] and [[J-7II]] should have a good idea of the cannon's ballistics, but the off-center placement may take some getting used to. In this case, pilots should pick enemies who have recently maneuvered, then go straight upon them and aim a bit to the left to compensate the gun's placement; a burst from 30 mm can tear down anything that flies with some precision. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Countermeasures and a radar warning receiver allow the J-7E to have good defensive capabilities, but the aircraft only has a ranging radar instead of a proper search radar. This means that the RWR is the primary source of information on enemy positions besides the in-game spotting mechanic. Remember that some aircraft like the [[F-5C]] do not have a radar at all and those that do can still turn their radar search off to preserve stealth. The J-7E does not have any radar guided missiles and the primitive radar is not relevant during active combat. | ||
=== Enemies worth noting === | === Enemies worth noting === | ||
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* [[F-5E|F-5]] series: F-5s are always a tough enemy to deal with due to its smaller size and above average manoeuvrability, making him the arch-enemy of J-7E. But thanks to your overall higher thrust-to-weight ratio and double-delta, you can still do some dogfight with him but be caution with your next step: one small wrong move can mean your quick demise. The best solution to handle F-5s are your PL-5Bs, if they are careless enough, they will not have the chance to fly back to the airfield since they have already been shattered by the explosive mass of the missile. If missile is not an option, keep as fast as you could and leave the airspace for another attack run; only hitting him when the tides of battle really allows you to do so. | * [[F-5E|F-5]] series: F-5s are always a tough enemy to deal with due to its smaller size and above average manoeuvrability, making him the arch-enemy of J-7E. But thanks to your overall higher thrust-to-weight ratio and double-delta, you can still do some dogfight with him but be caution with your next step: one small wrong move can mean your quick demise. The best solution to handle F-5s are your PL-5Bs, if they are careless enough, they will not have the chance to fly back to the airfield since they have already been shattered by the explosive mass of the missile. If missile is not an option, keep as fast as you could and leave the airspace for another attack run; only hitting him when the tides of battle really allows you to do so. | ||
| − | * [[Mirage IIIE|Mirage III]] series: they have the infamous [[Matra R550 Magic 1|Magic R.550]] and [[Matra R530]] at their disposal and these missiles can send anything that flies back to the hangar with ease. Their high angle of attack also worth mentioning since | + | * [[Mirage IIIE|Mirage III]] series: they have the infamous [[Matra R550 Magic 1|Magic R.550]] and [[Matra R530]] at their disposal and these missiles can send anything that flies back to the hangar with ease. Their high angle of attack also worth mentioning since they can still sacrifice some more speed in the short run and hit you with the cannons. In this case, keep your speed, try to bleed their energy and avoid their Magics with flares, without them, the J-7E with its higher acceleration and energy retention can duel the Mirage III with relative ease. |
| + | |||
| + | * [[J35D]]: currently the only other fighter in War Thunder with a double-delta wing, the Draken has incredibly low wing loading, a good thrust-to-weight ratio, and powerful RB24J missiles that are functionally identical to AIM-9Js. Its missiles are not quite as potent as the Magics used by the Mirages, but the plane can pull off some very impressive maneuvers, so be cautious when dogfighting with a Draken for the first few turns and be prepared to drop flares if necessary. The Draken's design is a double edged sword however, because the entire aircraft being a lifting body means that it acts like an enormous airbrake during hard turns, losing immense speed. The tailed double-delta configuration of the J-7E is more balanced and its superior energy retention will give a careful pilot the upper hand in an extended engagement. The J35D also lacks flares, is a large target, and has an even more awkward gun placement than the J-7E, so it's not particularly threatening when its speed is gone. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[F-4E]], [[F-4EJ]], [[Phantom FGR.2]]/[[Phantom FG.1]]: these are more advanced Phantoms with good missiles in both heat-seeking and radar-guided varieties. All Phantoms are large, bulky planes that will suffer heavily in a dogfight with the J-7E, but they are fast and may be able to outrun the J-7E and other Fishbeds at low altitude courtesy of their higher rip speeds (less so for the FGR/FG if they are carrying gun pods). Careful Phantom pilots will maintain their energy and repeatedly sling missiles at the J-7E while avoiding dogfights, and they also carry plenty of flares to avoid return fire from PL-5Bs. The British Phantoms boast pulse-doppler radars that can guide AIM-7 Sparrows against ground clutter while staying at high altitude. The J-7E has a radar warning receiver and an impressive supply of countermeasures for a light fighter, so long range Sparrow shots can be detected and evaded, but such launches are still annoying to deal with and can wear down the J-7E. Coordinate with teammates, trash their Sparrow shots to force them to switch to short-range IR missiles, and bait them into close quarters engagements where the J-7E excels. The German [[F-4F]] lacks radar-guided missiles despite being otherwise modern, so it is less of a threat. | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
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* New engines with higher thrust and overall acceleration thanks to the lighter weight than Soviet MiG-21s. | * New engines with higher thrust and overall acceleration thanks to the lighter weight than Soviet MiG-21s. | ||
| − | * Unique double-delta wings that gives impressive manoeuvrability at its tier. | + | * Unique double-delta wings that gives impressive manoeuvrability and energy retention at its tier. |
* The very first Chinese aircraft with a multifunctional HUD, and the first PLAAF aircraft that came with CCIP. | * The very first Chinese aircraft with a multifunctional HUD, and the first PLAAF aircraft that came with CCIP. | ||
* Comes with RWR and 72 countermeasures. | * Comes with RWR and 72 countermeasures. | ||
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;Videos | ;Videos | ||
| − | {{Youtube-gallery|yQfhODlSmJo|'''The Shooting Range #257''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:27 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}} | + | {{Youtube-gallery|yQfhODlSmJo|'''The Shooting Range #257''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:27 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|uPiZbwP0IUA|'''My Definite Favourite - J-7E War Thunder Red Skies''' - ''DEFYN''|cSY9Dymym9A|'''The Most Underrated Plane Of Patch 2.7: J-7E''' - '''Spit_flyer'''}} |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 01:26, 23 July 2021
Contents
Description
The J-7E is a rank VII Chinese jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.7 (AB) and 11.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Red Skies".
Based on the already well-developed J-7II and its modifications (J-7IIH/B/M; C/D), the J-7E offers a very different way to upgrade a Fishbed from the Soviet approach - not only does it have a more powerful engine and additional fuel, it also comes with the iconic Chinese Fishbed's double-delta wing with slats, making it a formidable competitor in terms of overall manoeuvrability and especially at lower speeds, which no Soviet Fishbed can ever offer. With its newer PL-5B missile and large countermeasure capacity, the J-7E can prove its abilities over its competitors and use its amazing manoeuvrability to dominate close-quarters engagements in the hands of a good pilot.
General info
Flight performance
The J-7E's airframe looks similar to the J-7II aside from the double delta wings, having a small nose and no fuselage spine like the early MiG-21F-13 it was developed from. This contrasts with the Soviet MiG-21s, where from the MiG-21PFM onward, the noses and fuselage spines were enlarged to house search radars and hold additional fuel, respectively. To compensate for the increased weight and aerodynamic penalties, Soviet designers installed increasingly powerful engines. Even though the J-7E's new WP-13F (reverse engineered R-13-300 with some newer technologies) engine lags behind the MiG-21SMT and MiG-21bis's engines in terms of maximum thrust, the J-7E actually weighs less than the MiG-21MF and can make the most of its engine power. The acceleration and climb are not on the level of the legendary MiG-21bis but still competitive for a top rank fighter.
Thanks to the new engine and the slat-equipped double-delta wings, the J-7E has one of the most impressive manoeuvrability among all the current top-tier aircraft. The turn time is a whopping 29 secs even when stock in RB, leaving most its competitors (other than F-5 family) behind by at least 3 second. Low-speed maneuverability and high-speed energy retention are greatly improved, addressing long-standing issues with the Fishbed family and presenting a pleasant surprise to new pilots. It is possible to make sustained high-G turns at above 1000 km/h IAS without losing much airspeed at all and maintain good nose authority during spiral climbs or dogfights at near-stall speeds. The slats still work at 900 km/h, which helps with gun snapshots or missile leading at high speeds. The wing loading is also lower than most contemporaries other than the J35D and Mirage IIIC, which feature full tailless delta wings. The J-7E is very solid in close combat and can compete with Mirages and F-5s while dancing around heavier aircraft like Phantoms.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 12,000 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 2,187 | 2,156 | 16000 | 28.5 | 29.0 | 153.3 | 144.6 | 750 |
| Upgraded | 2,255 | 2,230 | 27.3 | 28.2 | 187.2 | 178.5 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1365 | 500 | N/A | 525 | 450 | ~11 | ~5 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 650 | < 600 | < 790 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | |||
| Shenyang Liming WP-13F | 1 | 5,712 kg | 310 kg/m2 | |||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | ||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 8m fuel | 20m fuel | 27m fuel | ||
| 1,200 kg | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet | 6,306 kg | 7,176 kg | 7,692 kg | 9,500 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP) | |||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 8m fuel | 20m fuel | 27m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 4,100 kgf | 6,666 kgf | 1.06 | 0.93 | 0.87 | 0.70 |
| Optimal | 4,100 kgf (0 km/h) |
7,132 kgf (1,200 km/h) |
1.13 | 0.99 | 0.93 | 0.75 |
Survivability and armour
The J-7E comes with a 10 mm plate behind pilot's head and a 16 mm plate behind the ejection seat, while it doesn't prove to be much of a concern of cannons, it does help to stop some smaller caliber gunfire; as well as a 60 mm windshield that is durable enough to take some shots than all the remaining part of the aircraft. The armor still doesn't count for much considering that top-tier aircraft primarily rely on missiles and tend to have very powerful guns, so avoid being hit.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
Offensive armament
The J-7E is armed with:
- 1 x 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, belly-mounted (60 rpg)
Because the addition of a new fuel tank to the lower left side of the aircraft and compensation for the weight of newer missiles, unlike its predecessor, the J-7E has only a single Type 30-1 cannon on the starboard side. It does have good ballistics and firepower (a few hits will rip apart most aircraft), but for pilots without good aiming skills the stingy 60 round ammo capacity will be very painful. Experienced pilots may prefer it over the 23 mm cannon used by most Soviet Fishbeds due to its accuracy and stopping power. In SB, the J-7E comes with a HUD and the ranging radar is linked to it, making it somewhat useful to track down enemies and gun them down with a bit more precision. However, pilots do need to compensate the offset of the starboard gun and aim a bit towards the left when shooting at closer ranges. Players used to the MiG-21F-13 should be aware that the J-7E's gun is mounted on the opposite side of the aircraft compared to the F-13's port side placement.
Belt selection is largely up to personal taste but the Armoured Targets belt is generally the most consistent, often dealing hefty kinetic damage to enemy aircraft. The APHE rounds have about 60 mm of penetration but it is not advised to use the gun against ground targets in mixed battles; they can be effective against thinly armored targets, but the limited ammunition should be reserved for aircraft and going on gun runs is very dangerous against top-tier SPAA vehicles.
Suspended armament
The J-7E can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 2 x PL-2 missiles
- 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (500 kg total)
- 2 x PL-2 missiles + 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (500 kg total)
- 2 x PL-5B missiles + 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (500 kg total)
- 4 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs + 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (1,500 kg total)
- 2 x PL-5B missiles + 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 2 x PL-2 missiles + 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 4 x PL-2 missiles
- 4 x PL-5B missiles
- 2 x PL-5B missiles
- 2 x PL-2 missiles + 2 x PL-5B missiles
- 8 x Type 130-2 rockets
- 2 x PL-2 missiles + 8 x Type 130-2 rockets
- 2 x PL-5B missiles + 8 x Type 130-2 rockets
- 16 x Type 130-2 rockets
- 14 x Type 90-1 rockets + 8 x Type 130-2 rockets
- 8 x Type 130-2 rockets + 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (500 kg total)
- 8 x Type 130-2 rockets + 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 14 x Type 90-1 rockets + 2 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (500 kg total)
- 14 x Type 90-1 rockets + 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 14 x Type 90-1 rockets
- 2 x PL-2 missiles + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets
- 2 x PL-5B missiles + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets
- 28 x Type 90-1 rockets
The J-7E has a lot of loadouts and ordnance options to choose from. Several loadouts contain PL-2 missiles, and while the stock option of twin PL-2s is better than nothing, these primitive IR missiles are unlikely to hit anything in top-tier battles besides extremely complacent targets and should be avoided once the PL-5Bs are researched. The PL-5B is the first competitive missile available to any PLAAF fighter in War Thunder and is a strong selling point of the J-7E compared to its predecessors. It is listed as having a 20 G overload, equal to the AIM-9J, and has a wide acquisition envelope like the AIM-9G. There are a few downsides. First, it only has a 4 G launch overload, which causes issues during heated turning engagements. Second, the seeker head is sensitive and will often chase after flares. Third, it currently has a strange weight of 148 kg, nearly twice as heavy as its contemporaries, and this negatively affects its maneuverability while allowing it to better maintain its speed over long distances. Use the PL-5Bs thoughtfully, either at long range and high altitude against unaware opponents or at opportune moments in closer combat where an enemy will not be able to pull hard and the J-7E can relax its overload for a split second to launch the missile (the wide acquisition envelope helps with this). The J-7E lacks any radar-guided missiles and cannot surprise targets in head-on engagements.
The J-7E's ordnance improvements are not limited to air-to-air combat. For ground attack, it has access to 250 kg and 500 kg bombs like the J-7II, but it now uses much improved Type 90-1 and Type 130-2 rockets as seen on the Q-5A instead of the weak 57 mm HF-5 rockets. It also has a ballistic computer and two hardpoints per wing. The Type 90-1 rockets are equivalents of the US FFAR rockets and nothing special. The Type 130-2 rockets are the most powerful pod-launched rockets in War Thunder and can crack tanks open with direct hits or near misses. The Type 130-2s are launched in pairs, so two rocket pods will provide 4 salvos and four rocket pods will provide 8.
Multirole loadouts combining missiles and rockets, missiles and bombs, or bombs and rockets are available. They may be useful in mixed battles to give the J-7E more tactical flexibility, for example bringing two Type 130-2 rocket pods to destroy a ground target or two while retaining a pair of PL-5Bs for fending off enemy aircraft. The ROCAF F-5A is still more versatile than the J-7E when it comes to mixed loadouts and has access to powerful air-to-ground missiles, but it is also less versatile and has a harder time defending itself.
Usage in battles
The J-7E is something like a hybrid between a MiG-21 and an F-5 in terms of flight performance and role. It obviously is an evolution of the Fishbed and enjoys much of the MiG-21's strengths in top speed, acceleration, and climb. At the same time, the new design corrects many of the MiG-21's vices and it ends up being a very nimble dogfighter that can turn well and maintain its energy like an F-5. This makes it quite versatile. At the beginning of a match, the J-7E can sideclimb and make its way to medium or high altitude, then cruise into battle at supersonic speeds. Distracted targets at similar altitudes are prime missile targets. When it is time to join the furballs below, the J-7E can swoop in on vulnerable targets and put its agility to use.
Gunning straight into combat at lower altitude from the start of a match, which is customary for Fishbeds, is also an option. Start to "patrol" for anyone who is possibly in their tunnel vision (where a person has only a little FOV due to his speed), then go ahead and assault them with your powerful PL-5B AAMs. They can make short work of the enemies in an ideal case but do keep your launch overload in check as mentioned. If you only have PL-2s, which are barely better than no missiles, or even worse, only the cannon left, be very cautious on when should you fire a burst or launch the missiles. If you wasted the chance, pilots can meet their demise pretty quick if your team is on the disadvantage. And it should be reminded that unless really necessary or it is one-on-one dual with your enemy, in most cases DO NOT dogfight for very long times to avoid presenting a slow and easy target for outside enemies to pick off. But if you have to, bleed the opponent's energy as much as you could: your higher thrust-to-weight ratio and double-delta shine here, assisting in getting on the enemy's six and staying there.
The new PL-5B introduced to the PLAAF arsenal can on paper pull 20 G upon its targets while suffering from a 4G launch limit and an unusual weight. As discussed earlier, it is unwise to use the PL-5B as a close range dogfight missile in the same way as the AIM-9J. It is definitely leagues ahead of the PL-2 and can still work in a pinch, but long range shots against unaware opponents are safer kills. The PL-5B can send careless enemies straight back to the hangar upon a successful impact with its higher explosive equivalent load. But all this come at a price: you only have the starboard Type 30-1 cannon as the last ditch weapon, and thus you have only 60 rounds just like the original MiG-21F-13. Players who have experience with the J-6A and J-7II should have a good idea of the cannon's ballistics, but the off-center placement may take some getting used to. In this case, pilots should pick enemies who have recently maneuvered, then go straight upon them and aim a bit to the left to compensate the gun's placement; a burst from 30 mm can tear down anything that flies with some precision.
Countermeasures and a radar warning receiver allow the J-7E to have good defensive capabilities, but the aircraft only has a ranging radar instead of a proper search radar. This means that the RWR is the primary source of information on enemy positions besides the in-game spotting mechanic. Remember that some aircraft like the F-5C do not have a radar at all and those that do can still turn their radar search off to preserve stealth. The J-7E does not have any radar guided missiles and the primitive radar is not relevant during active combat.
Enemies worth noting
- F-5 series: F-5s are always a tough enemy to deal with due to its smaller size and above average manoeuvrability, making him the arch-enemy of J-7E. But thanks to your overall higher thrust-to-weight ratio and double-delta, you can still do some dogfight with him but be caution with your next step: one small wrong move can mean your quick demise. The best solution to handle F-5s are your PL-5Bs, if they are careless enough, they will not have the chance to fly back to the airfield since they have already been shattered by the explosive mass of the missile. If missile is not an option, keep as fast as you could and leave the airspace for another attack run; only hitting him when the tides of battle really allows you to do so.
- Mirage III series: they have the infamous Magic R.550 and Matra R530 at their disposal and these missiles can send anything that flies back to the hangar with ease. Their high angle of attack also worth mentioning since they can still sacrifice some more speed in the short run and hit you with the cannons. In this case, keep your speed, try to bleed their energy and avoid their Magics with flares, without them, the J-7E with its higher acceleration and energy retention can duel the Mirage III with relative ease.
- J35D: currently the only other fighter in War Thunder with a double-delta wing, the Draken has incredibly low wing loading, a good thrust-to-weight ratio, and powerful RB24J missiles that are functionally identical to AIM-9Js. Its missiles are not quite as potent as the Magics used by the Mirages, but the plane can pull off some very impressive maneuvers, so be cautious when dogfighting with a Draken for the first few turns and be prepared to drop flares if necessary. The Draken's design is a double edged sword however, because the entire aircraft being a lifting body means that it acts like an enormous airbrake during hard turns, losing immense speed. The tailed double-delta configuration of the J-7E is more balanced and its superior energy retention will give a careful pilot the upper hand in an extended engagement. The J35D also lacks flares, is a large target, and has an even more awkward gun placement than the J-7E, so it's not particularly threatening when its speed is gone.
- F-4E, F-4EJ, Phantom FGR.2/Phantom FG.1: these are more advanced Phantoms with good missiles in both heat-seeking and radar-guided varieties. All Phantoms are large, bulky planes that will suffer heavily in a dogfight with the J-7E, but they are fast and may be able to outrun the J-7E and other Fishbeds at low altitude courtesy of their higher rip speeds (less so for the FGR/FG if they are carrying gun pods). Careful Phantom pilots will maintain their energy and repeatedly sling missiles at the J-7E while avoiding dogfights, and they also carry plenty of flares to avoid return fire from PL-5Bs. The British Phantoms boast pulse-doppler radars that can guide AIM-7 Sparrows against ground clutter while staying at high altitude. The J-7E has a radar warning receiver and an impressive supply of countermeasures for a light fighter, so long range Sparrow shots can be detected and evaded, but such launches are still annoying to deal with and can wear down the J-7E. Coordinate with teammates, trash their Sparrow shots to force them to switch to short-range IR missiles, and bait them into close quarters engagements where the J-7E excels. The German F-4F lacks radar-guided missiles despite being otherwise modern, so it is less of a threat.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- New engines with higher thrust and overall acceleration thanks to the lighter weight than Soviet MiG-21s.
- Unique double-delta wings that gives impressive manoeuvrability and energy retention at its tier.
- The very first Chinese aircraft with a multifunctional HUD, and the first PLAAF aircraft that came with CCIP.
- Comes with RWR and 72 countermeasures.
- PL-5B missiles, if used properly, can make very short work of your enemies with its 20G overload.
- Vast variety of ground attack weaponry.
Cons:
- Single gun on starboard with only 60 rounds.
- Missile launch overload of only 4G.
- Doesn't come with any semi-active radar-homing missiles due to the lack of radar.
History
The story of the J-7E goes way back to 1980s.
During the early 1980s, mainland China had better relationships with European countries who seek to open up their military equipment market; thus during these days the older J-7II received a overhaul upgrade coded J-7B (or F-7M in foreign market) with British electronic equipment; while at the same time Chinese got their hands on a few MiG-21MF from Egypt for upgrading the PLAAF fleet with a faster and radar-equipped aircraft, which later became the J-7C/D. This failed to meet Central Military Commission's and PLAAF's requirements on low speed dogfights, though they were impressed by the R-13-300 engines on them and thus it became the Shenyang Liming WP-13 engine.
Although all these must be supported with a higher military budget (which wasn't available in the 1980s due to the economic reform) and during the late 1980s, most of the budget went to the later J-10 "Firebird"; while there were the mass of the older Shenyang J-6 fleet that needed replacement and PLAAF was in dire need for a fighter that came with ground-attacking capabilities (even the Shenyang J-8II was among the modified aircraft), so the CAC (Chengdu Aircraft Corp.) decided to made an upgrade on J-7 based on the opinion from foreign users, especially in terms of manoeuvrability .
Thus, the J-7IV (that later became the J-7E) program started in 1987 and by May 1991, it made its first flight and 2 years later it came into PLAAF commission.
The main improvement was the manoeuvrability, with the new WP-13 engine and the iconic double-delta designed by Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学 in Xi'an, Shaanxi) with a slat that can be lowered to 25° (and in fact the first PRC fighter with slats) that really helped its manoeuvrability - in a PLAAF's exercise in 1993, it was concluded that it was 43% better than older J-7II, as well as longer range with additional fuel tanks at the cost of giving up the port side cannon due to decreasing usage of cannons. Other improvements included additional pair of pylon, domestic avionics with a HUD, as well as some of the cockpit gauges were digital.
These 260 J-7Es built from 1994 to 2001 became the cornerstone for PLAAF and in 2006; based on the later F-7PG that eventually came with a radar; the ultimate Fishbed of Mainland China- the J-7G came into service, with HMDs and latest avionics.
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the aircraft;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
| Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (中航工业成都飞机工业集团) | |
|---|---|
| Jet Fighters | J-7II* · J-7D · J-7E |
| Drones | Wing Loong I |
| *Unlicensed and reverse-engineered version of the MiG-21. | |
| See Also | Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau |
| China jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | J-2 · J-4 · Shenyang F-5 · J-6A · J-7II · J-7D · J-7E · J-8B · J-8F · J-11 |
| Strike aircraft | Q-5 early · Q-5A · Q-5L · A-5C · JH-7A |
| Bombers | H-5 |
| American | ␗F-84G-21-RE · ␗F-84G-31-RE · ␗F-86F-30 · ␗F-86F-40 · ␗F-100A · ␗F-100F · ␗F-104A · ␗F-104G · ␗F-5A · ␗F-5E · ␗F-16A MLU |
| Soviet | ␗MiG-9 · ␗MiG-9 (l) |
