JZ-6 Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft
Last updated: 19 June 2008
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| JZ-6 reconnaissance aircraft with the retractable camera bay (Chinese Internet) |
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The JZ-6 (Jianji Zhencha-6 or JianZhen-6) is the tactical reconnaissance variant of the J-6 (MiG-19 Farmer) fighter, equivalent to the MiG-19R of the Soviet Air Force. The aircraft carries optical and infrared cameras to perform imagery reconnaissance role in day/night conditions. Early variants of the JZ-6 were converted from existing J-6 airframes, while later variants were dedicated reconnaissance aircraft based on the J-6 design.
In response to the PLA’s demand for a tactical reconnaissance aircraft, Shenyang Aircraft Factory (now Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) converted some J-6 fighters into the reconnaissance aircraft in 1967. These J-6s had their fuselage cannons removed and replaced by a camera compartment for low- to medium-altitude day/night reconnaissance role.
In 1971, Shenyang introduced the second reconnaissance variant J-6 for high-altitude day reconnaissance mission. In 1975, Shenyang introduced a third variant for both high- and low- to medium-altitude reconnaissance missions. Both of these variants were converted from existing J-6 airframes.
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JZ-6 reconnaissance aircraft of the PLAAF 1st Independent Regiment (Chinese Internet) |
In January 1976, Shenyang began to develop a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft JZ-6 based on the J-6 design. Generally based on the design of the third reconnaissance variant introduced in 1975, the JZ-6 was certified for design finalisation in December 1976.
The JZ-6 features a retractable reconnaissance bay mounted inside the fuselage aft the nose wheel bay. The reconnaissance bay is lowed during imagery reconnaissance mission and retracted into the fuselage during high-speed flight.
By the late 1990s, although most J-6s in the PLA had stopped flying, there were still four independent reconnaissance regiments in the PLAAF equipped with JZ-6s. No JZ-6 activities have been reported since 2005, suggesting the aircraft may have finally retired from active service.
Armament
The JZ-6 has its fuselage cannon removed, but retained the two Type 30-I 30mm cannons mounted in the wingroots. Each gun has 60 rounds.
Specifications
Crew: 1
Dimensions: Wingspan: 9.0m; Length: 13.025m; Height: 3.854m
Weight: Normal 5,760kg; normal take-off weight: 7,545kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10,000kg
Maximum speed: Maximum level speed 'clean' 1,540km/h or Mach 1.45
at 11,000m; cruising speed 950km/h at optimum altitude
Range: Ferry range 2,200km with drop tanks; range 1,390km with standard fuel
Radius: 685km with two drop tanks
Service ceiling: 17,600m (with afterburning); 16,000m (with
afterburning and two drop tanks)
Maximum climb rate: 9,150m/min (sea level); From 5,000m
to 10,000m with afterburning 1.5 minutes; From 5,000m to 15,000m with afterburning 3.8 minutes
+G limit: 5~6
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