{
  "id": "jz-8",
  "name": "JZ-8 (J-8R)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Reconnaissance fighter aircraft",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1972,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "JZ-8 (J-8R) Reconnaissance version of J-8 or J-8I. The Shenyang J-8 (Chinese: 歼-8; NATO reporting name: Finback) is a high-speed, high-altitude Chinese-built single-seat interceptor fighter aircraft.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Shenyang Aircraft Corporation",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 1,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 21.39,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 9.34,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 5.41,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Wing area",
      "section": "dims",
      "v": "42.2 m2",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 10371,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 15288,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Gross weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 18879,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Max takeoff weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "2 × Guizhou WP-13B afterburning turbojet engines",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "47.1 kN (10,580 lbf) thrust each dry, 68.6 kN (15,430 lbf) with afterburner",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kmh",
      "v": 2300,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Combat range",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) radius with 3x drop tanks",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_radius_km",
      "v": 900,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 18000,
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "G limits",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "+4.7 sustained at 5,000 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "v": "Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23",
      "role": "Autocannon",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Autocannon",
        "Caliber": "23 mm",
        "Rate of fire": "3,400–3,600 rounds/min"
      }
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "J-8 (Finback-A) Series",
      "text": "J-8 First flew on 5 July 1969. Initial day fighter variant, resembles an enlarged MiG-21. Equipped with 2 x WP-7A turbojet engines, SR-4 ranging radar 2 x Type 30-I 30mm cannon (200 rounds each), and 2 x PL-2 IR-guided AAMs. Limited production.",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "J-8II (Finback-B) Series",
      "text": "J-8II (Finback-B) First flown on 12 June 1984, the improved J-8I prototype with redesigned nose/front section and fuselage. replacing the nose air inlet with a solid nose and lateral air intakes, similar to those of the MiG-23.",
      "src": [
        "weg-jz-8"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "fighter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/jz-8.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-jz-8": {
      "title": "JZ-8 (J-8R) Chinese Reconnaissance Fighter Aircraft",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/JZ-8_J-8R_Chinese_Reconnaissance_Fighter_Aircraft",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}