Hongdu JL-8 / K-8 Karakorum (2024)

Hongdu JL-8/K-8 Karakoram History

The Hongdu JL-8/K-8 are a series of indigenous Chinese jet-powered light aircraft. The JL-8 is a dual-role platform that allows advanced jet pilot training while retaining the inherent combat capabilities of the light attack role. Although the JL-8 was built by Hongdu Aviation Industry Company, its origins lie in the design of the old Nanchang Company. The Pakistani government, which currently has close cooperation with China, is participating in the production of a similar variant called the K-8 "Karakorum" - which will be manufactured under the Pakistan Aviation Complex label. JL-8/K-8 operators also include Bolivia, Ghana, Myanmar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

To date, at least 500 prototypes of the aircraft have been delivered to various budget-conscious customers around the world, whether those looking to upgrade to a more modern jet trainer or those looking for a relatively inexpensive combat platform.

The first JL-8 prototype was released in 1989, the first flight was recorded on November 21, 1990, and it entered service on September 21, 1994. The original JL-8 series internal systems were intended for use with U.S.-based technology, but Sino-U.S. political relations deteriorated after Tiananmen Square (1989) officially banned such use. As a result, the aircraft was redesigned to include available non-US parts.

As a result, some have questioned the inherent reliability of the JL-8 family, given the number of significant and fatal crashes that have occurred since then. In any case, the aircraft has been gaining a foothold in the world market, especially for national air forces that need modern jet trainers to train a new generation of pilots, using the inherent combat capabilities of the JL-8 family as a "reward" and "come" for these client. As of this writing, China has the largest JL-8 fleet with around 400 aircraft on the books.

Egypt also received (and produced) at least 118 aircraft, of which at least 40 were built in local factories, with the rest coming from "kits" supplied by China.

"JL-8" is used to denote the Chinese Air Force version of the Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan engine. However, the avionics package is clearly of Chinese origin. The "L-11" was based on the JL-8, but installed a Chinese-made version of the Ivchenko AI-25 TLK called "WS-11". The "JL-8W" (also known as "K-8W") was also based on the JL-8 but with an improved co*ckpit and was intended for export to the Bolivian Air Force.

Another product shipped to Bolivia was the similar "JL-8VB" (aka "K-8VB"). All export models are equipped with Honeywell TFE731-2A turbofans instead of the more powerful Chinese WS-11 series turbofans.

The base designation "K-8 Karakorum" was used to denote the initial export production model with the smaller 3,600 lb Garrett/Honeywell TFE731-2A geared turbofan engine. The Garrett TFE731 series is a product of Honeywell Aerospace and Garrett AiResearch, first deployed in 1970. These engines have proven themselves in the business jet segment, with around 11,000 of these engines produced and millions of hours flying since their introduction. This engine gives the K-8 a top speed of just under 500 miles per hour (about Mach 0.75) and a range of about 1,400 miles.

Her service ceiling is listed as over 42,500 feet. As such, the JL-8 is classified as a subsonic aircraft, meaning it cannot fly at supersonic speeds (Mach 1), a typical design limitation for jet-powered trainer mounts.

The "K-8E" is an Egyptian export model equipped with an improved avionics suite to meet the requirements of the Egyptian Air Force. The "K-8P" is a Pakistan Air Force variant that also features an improved avionics suite and a modern all-glass co*ckpit arrangement.

The "K-8V" has been used as a development airframe to test various system configurations for future production consideration.

Visually, the JL-8 and its production variants retain a very traditional design, but bear a striking resemblance to the BAe Hawk, which was also used by the US military as a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing T-45 Goshawk. The two-seat co*ckpit is located at the front of the short, slender fuselage, and the two crew members sit side by side under a slender one-piece glass canopy hinged to the right. In the role of the instructor, the student sits in the front co*ckpit and the instructor sits in the back. In combat roles, two operators share the workload to reduce the stress of flying for each pilot.

Dual control configuration means the instructor can control the aircraft when needed. Martin Baker ejection seats are assigned to each co*ckpit position. The co*ckpit is located behind a short, pointed nose assembly and has no known radar installation. The fuselage also houses the appropriate avionics, fuel and engines (fuel is also contained in each wing).

The fuselage ridges limit rear visibility, especially for crew members in the rear seats. The wings are low-set monoplane units and are truncated in the design.

The fins are short, with a vertical fin on the engine exhaust, and two horizontal fins at the very end of the jet, just below and behind the bottom of the vertical fins. The engine is drawn in from two small oval air intakes on either side of the rear co*ckpit.

The landing gear is a traditional tricycle arrangement with a pair of single-wheel main legs and a single-wheel front leg.

While modern advanced trainers such as the JL-8 are primarily used as trainers for their customers, they can be converted into real warfare platforms with only a few modifications to the basic configuration, mainly for economic and marketing reasons. In armed roles, standard armament consists of a 23mm cannon mounted on an external gun pod along the centerline of the hull. This can supplement (or completely replace) external supplies through the installation of ammunition via four additional underwing hardpoints. This allows the JL-8 to be fitted with conventionally dropped bombs, laser-guided bombs, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, unguided rocket pods and fuel tanks - the latter of which can expand its operational range.

These agreements allow the JL-8 family to assume a close air support (CAS) role in direct support of Allied ground force operations. After the battle, the same airframe can be returned to its non-combat training role with no loss.

While serving in Pakistan, the K-8 is best known for its use in the Pakistan Air Force's air acrobatics team "Sherdils". The aircraft has been in this role since mid-2010.

Hongdu JL-8/K-8 Karakoram Specification

Basic

Year:

1994

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

2

Production

[525 units]:

Hongdu - China/Pakistan Aviation Complex - Pakistan

Roles

Dimensions

Length:

38.06 ft (11.6 m)

Width:

9.63m

Height:

13.81 feet (4.21 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

2,687 kg

MTOW:

4,330 kg

(difference: +3,622 pt)

Performance

1 x Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan with 3,600 lbs of thrust.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

497 mph (800 km/h; 432 knots)

Service Limit:

42,651 ft (13,000 m; 8.08 mi)

Maximum range:

1,398 miles (2,250 km; 1,215 nautical miles)

Armor

Changes

JL-8 - Chinese variant; equipped with Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan engine.