J-12 (Jianjiji-12)
Following the 1967 Mid-East War, in which Soviet-designed aircraft showed poorly, the PLAAF sought a replacement for the J-6 (MiG-19 Farmer). Improvements were sought in low altitude performance, short takeoff and landing run and simplicity. The Shenyang Aircraft Factory and the Nanchang Aircraft Factory proposed respectively the J-11 and the J-12.
Said to be the lightest supersonic fighter in the world, the J-12 (Jianjiji-12) designation was initially applied to a lightweight STOL fighter aircraft built at NAMC (Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company). Nanchang interpreted the PLAAF requirement as an ultra-lightweight fighter, and responded with a four-tonne design with a nose intake for its single WP-6 afterburning turbojet. Said to resemble a scaled-up MiG-15/17, it was in competition with the J-7 and J-8, though with a less robust weapon system.
The J-12 project started in 1969 and it only took 17 months for detailed design, wind tunnel tests and the production of three prototypes. A team under the leadership of Lu Xiao-Pcheng initiated design of a lightweight single-seat air superiority fighter at NAMC powered by a single WP-6 (Chinese-built Tumansky RD-9BF-811) with a maximum rating of 3454kg. The first of three prototypes flew on 26 December 1970 [other sources reportly 26 December 1969 less plausibly], reportedly somewhere between one or two and six airframes were constructed prior to the program's cancellation in 1978.
After three years of test flights beginning in 1970, Nanchang made a series of revisions to the design to cope with problems including poor engine performance. Indifferent results achieved during flight testing led to the J-12 being subjected to considerable redesign. The structure was simplified and lightened, area ruling was applied to the fuselage, the air intake was redesigned, the gun armament was moved aft and simple split flaps supplanted an arrangement of slats and triple-slotted flaps.
This extensively revised J-12 prototype flew in July 1975, achieving a maximum speed of Mach 1.386 (surpassing the J-6) and showing sprightly acceleration, a takeoff run of less than 500 metres and a ceiling of 17,300 metres (also superior to the J-6). Six pre-production aircraft were built, carrying an armament of one 23mm and one 30mm cannon and had provision for up to 3 AAMs. A total of 61 hrs 12 min of flight testing were accumulated in 135 test flights by January 1977.
However, in 1978 the PLAAF decided the J-12 was not suitable for the demands of modern air warfare and stopped development. Further development was discontinued owing to the superior characteristics of the MiG-21F-13, licence-built as the J-7, which was already with the People's Republic of China Air Force.
Of the six prototypes produced two are retained in the Chinese Aviation Museum collection. The symbol of China Aviation Museum, one J-12 welcomes you at the PLAAF Museum at Datangshan. The second prototype of the J-12 on display in the tunnel at the China Aviation Museum.
