# Guizhou JL-9

The Guizhou JL-9, also known as the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle (Chinese: 山鹰; pinyin: Shānyīng), is a family of two-seat transonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by the Guizhou Aviation Industry Import/Export Company (GAIEC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

## Development

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. The aircraft are reported to be produced at a GAIC assembly line in Anshun, Guizhou.
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.
A carrier-landing trainer variant was revealed by Chinese state media in 2011. 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.
On 5 September 2018, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that GAIC had begun mass production of the FTC-2000G variant. On 28 September, it was reported that the first mass-produced FTC-2000G performed its maiden flight. 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. Later it was confirmed that Myanmar had ordered those jets.

## Design

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.

## Operational history

In 2014, the PLANAF had a regiment of JL-9s. However, it was not until October 18, 2015, that the PLAAF started using the JL-9 for training purposes.
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. Satellite imagery has revealed that three more FTC-2000s were present at the base at the time.
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.

## Variants

* FTC-2000: Original model and export designation.
* FTC-2000G: The FTC-2000G is a dual seat light combat aircraft/lead-in fighter trainer. 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. It also features a diverterless supersonic inlet. It made its first flight in September 2018. Compared to the FTC-2000 trainer variant, the FTC-2000G is heavier, has a maximum speed of only Mach 1.2 due to a new wing design, and has less endurance than the FTC-2000. The aircraft can carry a maximum of 3 tons of weaponry.
* JL-9: Initial PLA variant.
* JL-9G: PLANAF carrier-trainer variant. It is a modified JL-9 for aircraft carrier training. It is designed for ski-jump ramp takeoffs and simulated arrested landings (land-based). and includes a tailhook.

## Operators

* People's Republic of China
** People's Liberation Army Air Force – 30 JL-9
** People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force – 28 JL-9, 12 JL-9G
* Myanmar
** Myanmar Air Force — 12 delivered (unknown number ordered)
* Sudan
** Sudanese Air Force — 5

## Specifications (FTC-2000)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11
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 m$^2$ (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)
* Stall speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn)
* 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/m$^2$ (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
* 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
* 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)
** Anti-radiation missiles
*** CM-102 (Only on FTC-2000G)
Avionics
   * Pulse Doppler radar
   * comms
   * IFF
   * Transponder
   * EFIS
   * HOTAS
   * GPS / INS