Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Nanchang Q-5
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1970–2012
Quantity
1,300
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
35
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1965
- Service Entry Year1970
- Crew1
- Primary RoleGround attack / Close air support
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeTurbojet
- Engine ModelWP-6
- Number of Engines2
- Thrust (dry, each)25.5
- Thrust (afterburner, each)32
- Thrust-to-Weight0.63
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel3,700 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed1,240 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)1.12 Mach
- Cruise Speed950 km/h
- Stall Speed230 km/h
- Service Ceiling16,500 m
- Ferry Range2,000 km
- Combat Radius600 km
- Rate of Climb150 m/s
- G-Limit8
- Takeoff Run900 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length15.65 m
- Wingspan9.68 m
- Height4.33 m
- Wing Area27.95
- Empty Weight6,000 kg
- Loaded Weight9,500 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight11,830 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints10
- Weapons Payload2,000 kg
- Internal Gun23 mm cannon
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarNone (planned but never fitted)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built1,300
- Operators5
- Variants10
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2017
- Production Start1969
- Production End2012
- Operational StatusLimited service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1970Production started
- 2003First deployment: War in Darfur
- 2012Production ended
56
years in service
42
years in production
1,300
units produced
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory4country · 118units
118active
05 / MASS Score
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT RANKING Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
111GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT35COLD WAR · GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT239PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS76PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theGround Attack / CAS Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
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.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
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