Chinese New Multirole Combat Aircraft Takes to Skies

China’s state-run Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) developed FTC-2000G, a new multirole combat aircraft made its debut flight in Guizhou province’s Anshun.

A yellow FTC-2000G took off at Anshun Huangguoshu Airport on Friday morning and flew for about 10 minutes amid thick clouds, China Daily reported Friday.

FTC-2000G, designed and built by Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, an AVIC subsidiary, is a fixed-wing, multirole combat plane mainly tasked with airstrikes against ground targets. It can also be used as a fighter jet or trainer aircraft, according to AVIC.

Information from AVIC shows the twin-seat plane is a modified version of an advanced training jet that has been deployed by the Chinese Air Force and Navy. It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.2, or 1,470 kilometers per hour, a maximum takeoff weight of 11 metric tons, a maximum flight range of 2,400 km, and an operational flight ceiling of 15 km. 

Equipped with modern radar and fire-control systems, it is capable of staying airborne for three hours in a single operation and can carry as much as three tons of missiles, rockets or bombs, according to the company.

As a light-duty attack aircraft or fighter jet, FTC-2000G is able to replace old models fielded by developing countries such as China’s J-7 and the former Soviet Union’s Mig-21. In the role of trainer aircraft, it can replace China’s FT-7 or British BAE Systems Hawk, and can work with AVIC’s K-8 intermediate jet to form an advanced training systems for military pilots.