The Hongdu JL-8 (Nanchang JL-8), also known as the Karakorum-8 or K-8 for short, is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed in the People’s Republic of China by China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The primary contractor is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. Its export variant, K-8 Karakorum is co-produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
People’s Liberation Army Air Force
A Chinese version of K-8, the JiaoLian-8 (JL-8), is deployed in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its obsolete JJ-5 jet trainers. The K-8 was unveiled to the Pakistani public in April 2010. About 500 K-8s have been built since 1993.
K-8P Pakistan Air Force
Air Force of Zimbabwe
K-8 Karakorum jet trainer variants
The K-8 has seven variants: the K-8E, K-8P, K-8V, JL-8, L-11, K-8W and K-8VB.
The K-8E is an upgraded version, featuring modified airframe and avionics, built for the Egyptian Air Force (EAF). The K-8P is a Pakistani variant upgraded with a new glass cockpit use the lower powered Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan, which has digital electronic engine control (DEEC) with 15.6 KN thrust, provided the US government approves sale of the engine to the customer.
Honeywell TFE731-2
Specifications (TFE731-2)
Data from
General characteristics
- Type: Turbofan
- Length: 50 in (127 cm)
- Diameter: 39 in (100 cm)
- Dry weight: 734 lb (333 kg)
Components
- Compressor: 1 stage fan, 4 axial low pressure compressor stages, 1 centrifugal high pressure compressor stage
- Combustors: Annular
- Turbine: 1 stage high pressure turbine, 3 stage low pressure turbine
Performance
- Maximum thrust: 3500 lbf (15.6 kN)
- Overall pressure ratio: 13:1
- Fuel consumption: 875 lb. per hour
- Specific fuel consumption: 0.5 lb/lbf-hr
- Thrust-to-weight ratio: 4.7:1
Specification TFE731-2 source wikiwand.com
Venezuelan Air Force
The JL-8 is a Chinese version powered by the Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan and an indigenous avionics suite.
Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan
Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan (WS-11 turbofan engine)
Designed for the installation on trainers, combat trainers, and light attack aircraft in the class of take-off weight up to 4700 kg. Installed on the L-39 trainer (AI-25TLK to power the JL-8, K-8J aircraft). In commercial production since 1973.
| AI-25TL | AI-25TLК | |
| Takeoff (SLS, ISA) | ||
| Thrust, kgf | 1,720 | 1,720 |
| Specific fuel consumption, kg/kgf/h | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Cruise (Н=6,000m, М=0.483, ISA) | ||
| Thrust, kgf | 515 | 515 |
| Specific fuel consumption, kg/kgf/h | 0.815 | 0.815 |
| Dimensions, mm:, (with exhaust pipe) мм |
3,358 x 985 x 958 | 2,860 x 868 x 959.5 |
| Weight, dry, kg | 350 | 350 |
| Specified service life, h | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Applicability | L-39 | JL-8, K-8J |
AI-25TL, AI-25TLK Turbofan data ivchenko-progress.com
The L-11 is an improved version of JL-8, powered by the WS-11 turbofan engine (Chinese-manufactured copy of the AI-25TLK) . The K-8W is an advance version of the K-8 that features a meliorated cockpit and head-up display. The K-8VB is an export version delivered to the Bolivian Air Force.
Bolivian Air Force
Cockpit
The K-8 features a full-glass cockpit enclosed with a plastic bubble-shaped canopy to accommodate two crew members including a student pilot or instructor or an official pilot and weapons system officer. A multi-functional display (MFD) is fitted at the front and rear. The tandem seating configuration provides all-round clear visibility.
Front
Rear
An environmental control system (ECS) offers air-conditioning and pressurisation. The emergency cockpit-escape system comprises two Martin-Baker MK-10L rocket-aided ejection seats.
Martin-Baker MK-10L
Martin-Baker MK-10L rocket-aided ejection seats
Operators: Here
Specifications (K-8)
Data from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, SinoDefence.com, Jane’s Aircraft Recognition Guide
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (in tandem)
- Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
- Height: 4.21 m (13 ft 9 in)
- Empty weight: 2,687 kg (5,924 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 4,330 kg (9,546 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan, 16.01 kN (3,600 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.75 (800 km/h, 498 mph)
- Range: 2,250 km (1,398 mi)
- Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,651 ft)
- Wing loading: 254.40 kg m−2 ()
- Max. airframe load factor: +7.33 g / -3.0 g
Armament
- Guns: 1× 23 mm cannon pod (mounted on centreline hardpoint)
- Hardpoints: 5, total capacity 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) external fuel and ordnance:
- 4× under-wing, capacity 250 kg each
- 1× under-fuselage (23 mm cannon pod mount)
- Rockets: 57 mm unguided rocket pods, capacity 24 rounds (2 x pods with 12 rounds each)
57 mm unguided rocket pod
57 mm unguided rocket pods
PL-5 (霹雳-5) air-to-air missile
The PL-5 (霹雳-5) air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, “Thunderbolt” in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is a short-range, Infrared homing missile use by Chinese fighters. It is based on AA-2 Atoll technology and resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The PL-5 have been continuously upgraded by Luoyang and the latest variant, the PL-5EII added a dual band, multi-element detector as well as a laser proximity fuse similar to the PL-9. According to Chinese export/import agency CATIC, the PL5E has an all-aspect capability with the seeker having a maximum off boresight angle of ±25° before launch, and ±40° after launch.
PL-7 air-to-air missile
The PL-7 air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, “Thunderbolt” in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 missile. It is a short-range, Infrared homing missile use by Chinese fighters.
- Bombs: 200 kg, 250 kg unguided bomb, BL755 cluster bomb
- Others:
- 2× 80 gal fuel drop-tanks mounted on outboard under-wing hardpoints
Avionics
Source: airforce-technology.com, wiki
Updated Feb 18, 2017
Thai Military and Asian Region 