Hongdu JL-8

The Hongdu JL-8 (Nanchang JL-8), also known

JL-8/K-8
as the Karakorum-8 or K-8 for short, is a two-
seat intermediate jet trainer and a light attack
aircraft designed in the People's Republic of China
by China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing
Corporation. The primary contractor is the Hongdu
Aviation Industry Corporation.

Contents
Development
Design The K-8 of the Bangladesh Air Force
Airframe and flight control system
Role Jet trainer

Cockpit and avionics

Light attack
Propulsion and fuel system
Manufacturer Hongdu Aviation Industry
Operational history Corporation

Myanmar
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Accidents and incidents First flight 21 November 1990
Variants Introduction 21 September 1994
Operators Status Operational
Current
Primary users PLA Air Force

Former
Pakistan Air Force

Specifications (K-8) Egyptian Air Force

See also Myanmar Air Force

References Produced 1990-present
External links Number built 500+[1]

Development
The JL-8 trainer was proposed as a joint cooperation effort between the governments of Pakistan
and the People's Republic of China in 1986. The name was changed on the suggestion of Pakistan's
then President Zia ul Haq to Karakoram-8 to represent the friendship between the two countries.
Work on the design started in 1987 at Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company (NAMC) at
Nanchang, Jiangshi Province in South Central China. The Chinese chief designer of the aircraft
was Shi Ping ( 石 屏 ), heading a team of over 100 Chinese Engineers, while Air Cdr Muhammad
Younas Tbt (M), SI(M) was the chief designer from the Pakistani side leading a team of over 20
Pakistani engineers.

Initially, the aircraft was to feature many parts manufactured in the United States, including
Garrett TFE-731 engine and several cockpit displays along with communication and avionics
systems, but due to political developments and an embargo from the US at the end of the 1980s
following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, other suppliers had to be used. The first
prototype was built in 1989, with the first flight taking place on 21 November 1990 by Chief Test
Pilot Col Yang Yao ( 杨 耀 ). Flight testing continued from 1991 to 1993 by a Flight Test Team
consisting of four Chinese and two Pakistani pilots.

After four prototypes were built, production of a small batch of 24 aircraft was launched in 1992.
The Chinese share out of these was 18, while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) received six K-8s in
1994. In 1995, the PAF decided to order 75 more K-8s to gradually replace its fleet of Cessna T-37
Tweet basic trainers. In 2010, the number of K-8 aircraft in the PAF inventory was estimated to be
around 40. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) received its first six JL-8 trainers in
1995 following additional upgrades. The Chinese model uses a Chinese-manufactured version of
the Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25 (DV-2) engine, designated WS-11. The PLAAF is anticipated to
continue adding the JL-8 trainer to its fleet to replace its obsolete trainers, such as the Chengdu
JJ-5. In 2008, the number of JL-8s in PLAAF inventory was estimated to be over 120 aircraft.

Other countries have shown interest in the trainer and it now also serves in the air forces of Egypt,
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. While the type primarily serves as a basic and advanced trainer, it can
also be used in the close air support or even air combat role when appropriately armed.

The export-variant K-8 Karakorum Basic Common Advanced Jet Trainer is co-produced by China
National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for export markets other than
Pakistan, while later aircraft for Pakistan have been built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory
(AMF), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The latest export variant is the K-8P version, which
currently is operated by the PAF. The K-8P has an advanced avionics package of integrated head-
up display (HUD), multi-function displays (MFDs) and comes equipped with MFD-integrated GPS
and ILS/TACAN systems. It also features hardpoints for carrying a variety of training and
operational bombs up to 250  kg, pod mounted 23  mm cannon as well as PL-5 / 7 /AIM-9 P
launchers. In September 2011, NAMC rolled out another 12 K-8P for an undisclosed foreign
client.[2]

In 2008 Venezuela announced the purchase of 18 K-8 aircraft. The K-8 has been marketed by
China to the air forces of the Philippines, and to Indonesia, as a replacement for Indonesia's BAE
Hawk jet trainers.[3] In 2009, the Bolivian government approved a deal to purchase 6 K-8P
aircraft for use in anti-drug operations.[4] In 2010 the total number of K-8 aircraft produced in all
variants was estimated to be more than 500, with a continual production rate of approximately 24
aircraft per year.

Design
The JL-8 / K-8 has a multi-role capability for training and,
with little modification, can also be used for airfield defense.
The aircraft is supposed to be as cost-effective as possible, with
a short turn-around time and low maintenance requirements.
The JL-8 for the domestic Chinese market and its export
variants, K-8E and K-8P, have different powerplants and
avionics.
A K-8 of the Bolivian Air Force.
Airframe and flight control system

A low-wing monoplane design primarily constructed of aluminum alloys, the JL-8 / K-8 airframe
structure is designed for an 8,000 flight hour service life.
The landing gear is of tricycle configuration, with hydraulically operated wheel brakes and nose-
wheel steering.

The flight control system operates a set of conventional flight control surfaces with a rigid push-
rod transmission system, which itself is electrically or hydraulically operated. The aileron control
system, of irreversible servo-control type, is composed of a hydraulic booster, an artificial-feel
device, a feel trim actuator and a rigid push-rod transmission mechanism. The elevator and rudder
control systems are of reversible push-rod type.

Cockpit and avionics

The JL-8 / K-8 cockpit arrangement is designed to be as close to that of a combat aircraft as
possible. A transparent plastic canopy covering both cockpits, which are arranged in a tandem
seating position, is supposed to give a good all-round field of view.

A Rockwell Collins Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is fitted, with multi-function
displays (MFDs) in the front and rear cockpits showing information to the pilots. The emergency
cockpit escape system is made up of two Martin-Baker MK-10L rocket-assisted ejection seats
which are zero-zero capable, meaning they can be used safely at zero altitude and zero speed.
Although JL-8 is designed to have limited capability to deliver air-to-ground weapons, the first
rocket attack practice was only completed in May 2011.[5]

Ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) radio communication systems are
present, along with a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and automatic direction finder (ADF). An
instrument landing system (ILS) is also available. These systems can be tailored to meet the
requirements of the customer.

A strap-on Environmental control system (ECS) from AlliedSignal provides air conditioning to the
cockpit. It is capable of operating when the aircraft is on the ground, under ambient temperatures
of -40 to +52 °C, as well as in the air.

Propulsion and fuel system

The JL-8, for the Chinese domestic market, was originally powered by the Ukrainian Ivchenko-
Progress AI-25TLK turbofan jet engine with 16.9  kN of thrust, but this has been replaced by the
WS-11, the Chinese-manufactured version of the AI-25TLK. Export variants (K-8P, K-8E) use the
lower-thrust (15.6  kN) Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan, which has digital electronic
engine control (DEEC), provided the US government approves sale of the engine to the customer.

A hydro-mechanical fuel control system delivers fuel to the engine. The aircraft's fuel system
consists of the fuel tanks and the fuel supply/transfer, vent/pressurization, fuel quantity
measuring/indicating, fuel refueling and fuel drain subsystems. The total fuel is contained in two
fuselage bladder-type rubber tanks and a wing integral tank of 1720 lb. The capacity of each drop
tank is 250 litres.

Operational history
The K-8 took part in its first aerial display in 1993 at the Singapore Air Show and since then has
participated at Air Shows at numerous places including Dubai, Paris, Farnborough, Bangkok,
Zhuhai etc. It was shown to the Pakistani public for the first time on 23 March 1994 at the Pakistan
Day Parade. It became part of the Sherdils (Lion Hearts) aerobatics team of the Pakistan Air Force
in 2009 and carried out its first public display on 6 April 2010. K-8 replaced the team's previous T-
37 Tweet aircraft.[6][7]
Myanmar

In late December 2012 and early January 2013, during the Kachin conflict, K-8s of the Myanmar
Air Force were used to strike Kachin Independence Army positions in the north of the
country.[8][9]

Accidents and incidents

November 2012: A Venezuelan Air Force K-8 crashed a result of a technical malfunction.
Pilots were forced to eject seconds before the fighter hits the ground.[10]
25 May 2015: K-8 trainer of Pakistan Airforce crashed in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province during a training mission. Both pilots of the aircraft ejected safely.[11]
1 July 2018: Bangladesh Air Force’s (BAF) K-8W crashed into the Bookbhora Oxbow lake in
Jessore during night training mission. Squadron Leader Md Serajul Islam and Squadron
Leader Enayet Kabir Polash were killed in the accident. [12]
20 September 2018: A Sudanese K-8 crashed a result of a sudden technical failure near the
city of Omdurman, killing the two pilots on board which was on a night training mission.[13]
24 March 2021: A Bolivian Air Force (FAB) K-8 with tail number FAB-663 crashed into a house
in Sacaba, Bolivia, killing a woman in her house around 9:30 local time during a training
mission. Both crew members survived after ejecting from the aircraft.[14]
23 September 2021: A Namibian Air Force K-8 crashed after its ejection seats were triggered
after take-off. Both pilots sustained serious injuries as their parachutes failed to open properly.

Variants
Data from: SinoDefence.com (https://web.archive.org/web/20121028021126/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforc
e/trainer/jl8.asp)

K-8

Original variant powered by the Garrett TFE731-2A turbofan engine.

K-8E

K-8 variant developed for export to Egypt in 1999,

featuring 33 modifications to the airframe and avionics.
Built in Egypt from Chinese-supplied kits, production of
80 Egyptian-built Chinese kits was completed in 2005,
with license production of an additional 40 K-8Es
undertaken thereafter.

K-8P Egyptian Air Force K-8E on display

at the 2015 Malta International
Pakistan-specific variant with new avionics, glass cockpit Airshow
and Martin-Baker Zero-Zero ejection seats.

K-8V

An 'integrated flight test simulation aircraft' (IFTSA), equipped with an advanced flight control
computer and analogue fly-by-wire (FBW) system which can mimic the aerodynamic
characteristics and flight profile of other aircraft. Used primarily to test aircraft designs before
prototypes are built and tested.

JL-8
 PLAAF-specific variant powered by the Ivchenko AI-25 TLK turbofan and featuring Chinese
avionics suite. First flew in December 1994, 6 aircraft delivered to PLAAF in June 1998.

L-11

Variant of JL-8 powered by the WS-11 turbofan (Ivchenko AI-25 TLK produced under license
in China). Approximately 100 aircraft delivered to PLAAF.

JL-8W (K-8W)

Variant of the JL-8 with improved cockpit and HUD. Delivered to Venezuela's Bolivarian
Military Aviation 13 March 2010, with no U.S.-controlled parts. Total order 18 aircraft (+ 40
announced). 16 delivered to Bangladesh Air Force, one crashed in 2018.

JL-8VB (K-8VB)

Variant similar to JL-8W; for export to Bolivian Air Force, with no U.S.-controlled parts. Total
order 6 aircraft (+ 12 announced).

Operators

Current
 Angola

National Air Force of Angola[15]

 Bangladesh

Bangladesh Air Force[15]

Bangladesh Air Force K-8W inflight
 Bolivia

Bolivian Air Force[15]

 China

People's Liberation Army Air Force[15]

 Egypt

Egyptian Air Force[15]

 Ghana

Ghana Air Force[15]

 Myanmar

Myanmar Air Force[15]

 Namibia
A K-8 of the Bolivian Air Force.
 Namibian Air Force[15]

 Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force[15]

 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Air Force[15]

 Sudan

Sudanese Air Force[15]

 Venezuela

Venezuelan Air Force[15]

 Zambia

Zambian Air Force[15]

 Zimbabwe

Air Force of Zimbabwe[15]

Former

 Tanzania

Tanzanian Air Force

Specifications (K-8)
Data from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra - Karakoram-8 (K-8) Aircraft,[16] Jane's Aircraft
Recognition Guide[17]

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 2,687 kg (5,924 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,330 kg (9,546 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell TFE731-2A turbofan engine, 16.01 kN (3,600 lbf) thrust

Performance
Maximum speed: 800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn)
Maximum speed: Mach 0.75
Range: 2,250 km (1,400 mi, 1,210 nmi)
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (43,000 ft)
 g limits: +7.33 -3.0
Wing loading: 254.40 kg/m2 (52.11 lb/sq ft)

Armament

Guns: 1× 23 mm cannon pod (mounted on centreline hardpoint)

Hardpoints: Up to 5 hardpoints (varies on variants) , total capacity 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) external
fuel and ordnance:
4× under-wing, capacity 250 kg each
1× under-fuselage (23 mm cannon pod mount)
Rockets: 57 mm unguided rocket pods, capacity 24 rounds (2 x pods with 12 rounds each)
Air-to-air missiles: PL-5, PL-7
Bombs: 200 kg, 250 kg unguided bomb
Others:
2× 80 US gal (300 l) fuel drop-tanks mounted on outboard under-wing hardpoints

Avionics

EFIS

See also
Trainer (aircraft)
Jet trainer

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Aero L-39 Albatros / Aero L-159 Alca / Aero L-39NG

BAE Hawk
CASA C-101 Aviojet
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
G-4 Super Galeb
IAR 99
PZL I-22 Iryda
Aermacchi MB-339
Mitsubishi T-2
MiG-AT
Yak-130
AIDC AT-3

References
Notes

1. K-8 (JL-8, L-11) Basic Jet Trainer - SinoDefence.com (http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/trai

ner/jl8.asp) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20121028021126/http://www.sinodefence.co
m/airforce/trainer/jl8.asp) 28 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
 2. "K-8P trainer jet exportation" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110303184532/http://www.airforce
world.com/pla/k-8-jl-11-trainer-china.htm). AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original (htt
p://www.airforceworld.com/pla/k-8-jl-11-trainer-china.htm) on 3 March 2011. Retrieved
5 September 2011.
3. ANGKASA No.07 Edisi April 2007 (page 14-15)
4. DAWN.com | Bolivia buys six Pakistan-made aircraft (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/
dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/bolivia-buys-six-pakistan-made-aircraft-05-sal-01)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100329113615/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/conne
ct/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/bolivia-buys-six-pakistan-made-aircraft-05-sal-01) 29
March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
5. "AirForceWorld.com JL8 Trainer Jet rocket practice" (https://web.archive.org/web/2011020900
4512/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/english/k-8-JL-8-JL-11-trainer-china-pakistan.html).
AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original (http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/k-8-JL-8-JL
-11-trainer-china-pakistan.html) on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
6. "PAF's High Mark exercise enters second phase" (https://web.archive.org/web/2011061406123
8/http://pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=10060). Pakistan Times. PAF Bombing Range,
Thal, Pakistan. 7 April 2010. Archived from the original (http://pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?n
ewsId=10060) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
7. "PAF's firepower demo marks precise hit at enemy targets" (http://www.onepakistan.com/news/
feed/top-stories/39539-PAFs-firepower-demo-marks-precise-hit-enemy-targets.txt). Thal,
Pakistan: OnePakistan.com. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
8. "Myanmar jets used against Kachin rebels (raw footage)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
noHKKbV_jpk). YouTube. 3 January 2013. Archived (https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtub
e/20211221/noHKKbV_jpk) from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 February
2015.
9. Bertil Lintner. "Myanmar airstrikes reopen ethnic wounds" (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/fe
atures/2013/01/20131108109573277.html). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2015021506
3538/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/01/20131108109573277.html) from the
original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
10. "2 Pilots Eject from K-8 During Air Show" (https://www.military.com/video/aircraft/ejection-seat
s/k-8-karakorum-air-show-ejection/1997734412001). Military.com. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
11. "Army trainer aircraft crashes in Swabi, pilots eject safely" (https://www.dawn.com/news/11841
28). DAWN. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
12. "Bangladesh's Chinese-made K8-W Trainer Aircraft Crashes, Pilots Killed" (https://www.defens
eworld.net/news/22824/Bangladesh_s_Chinese_made_K8_W_Trainer_Aircraft_Crashes__Pilo
ts_Killed#.X307_4JDYzR). Defense World. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
13. "Sudan military jet crash near Omdurman kills 2 pilots" (https://www.thedefensepost.com/2018/
09/21/sudan-military-jet-crash-omdurman/). The Defense Post. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
14. "Así sería la Aeronave que cayó en Sacaba" (https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/cochaba
mba/20210324/asi-seria-aeronave-que-cayo-sacaba/). Los Tiempos. Retrieved 24 March
2021.
15. "World Air Forces 2022" (https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/how-afghanistans-fall-
reshaped-world-air-forces-inventory/146576.article). Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved
5 January 2022.
16. "Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra - Karakoram-8 (K-8) Aircraft" (https://www.pac.org.pk/k
-8). www.pac.org.pk. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190426092731/https://www.pac.
org.pk/k-8) from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
17. Gething (Author), Gunter Endres, Michael J.; Endres, Gunter (4 September 2007). Jane's
aircraft recognition guide (5th ed.). Collins. ISBN 978-0061346194. {{cite book}}: |last1=
has generic name (help)

Bibliography
 International Institute for Strategic Studies (2010). Hacket, James (ed.). The Military Balance
2010. Oxfordshire: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-557-3.
Donald, David; Lake, Jon (2000). Encyclopedia of world military aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble.
pp. 391–392. ISBN 0-7607-2208-0.

External links
K-8 on Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) website (http://www.pac.org.pk/k-8)
K-8 Karakorum at FAS.org (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/k-8.htm)
K-8 Karakorum at PAF Falcons (https://web.archive.org/web/20130123101341/http://www.paff
alcons.com/gallery/k8/index.php)
K-8 Karakorum at Aerospaceweb.org (http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/attack/k8/)
JL-8 at Chinese Defence Today (https://web.archive.org/web/20121028021126/http://www.sino
defence.com/airforce/trainer/jl8.asp)
Karakorum-8 at PakistaniDefence.com (https://web.archive.org/web/20070607231534/http://w
ww.pakistanidefence.com/DefenceProduction/PAC/K8_Manufacturing.htm)
JL-8 Trainer photos and intro, AirForceWorld.com(Simplified Chinese) (https://web.archive.org/
web/20110303184532/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/k-8-jl-11-trainer-china.htm)

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