Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Shenyang J-8
Category
Country
Production
1969–
Quantity
408
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
28
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1969
- Service Entry Year1980
- Crew1
- Primary RoleInterceptor
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeGuizhou WP-13B
- Engine ModelLiyang WP-7B
- Number of Engines2
- Thrust (dry, each)44
- Thrust (afterburner, each)61
- Thrust-to-Weight0.85
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel5,400 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,330 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2.2 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed240 km/h
- Service Ceiling18,000 m
- Ferry Range2,200 km
- Combat Radius800 km
- Rate of Climb224 m/s
- G-Limit7.5
- Takeoff Run900 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length21.39 m
- Wingspan9.344 m
- Height5.41 m
- Wing Area42.2
- Empty Weight10,371 kg
- Loaded Weight13,500 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight15,200 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints5
- Weapons Payload2,500 kg
- Internal Gun1 x 23mm Type 23-III cannon
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarType 208 pulse-Doppler radar (J-8B)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTYes
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Total Built408
▲Service History1MOD.1
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1969Production started
57
years in service
408
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
215AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS28COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS348PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS299PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources