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Shenyang J-8
Photo: Windmemories · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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ShenyangJ-8

Air Superiority Fighters · People's Republic of China · 1969
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ShenyangJ-8

⚙ Chengdu J-7 variant
Shenyang J-8
Shenyang J-8 Photo: Windmemories · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
40
Agility
50
Speed
55
Radar & Avionics
30
Range
45
Stealth
0
Survivability
50
Reliability
60
Technology
35
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin People's Republic of China
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraCold War
In service1969
Operators4 countries
Quantity408
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
41
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
28/30
Cold War
215/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
40
Agility
50
Speed
55
Radar & Avionics
30
Range
45
Stealth
0
Survivability
50
Reliability
60
Technology
35
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Shenyang J-8
Production
1969–
Quantity
408
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
28
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
41
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ 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
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
⬢Production1MOD.1
  • Total Built408
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 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
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →