I’ve been trying to learn more about the J-8II and specifically the J-8II version that Deka Ironworks announced last week as their new module for DCS World. Yesterday they added a new section to their forum with a FAQ that includes quite a few details about the J-8II Peace Pearl variant that they are building and its a really interesting combination of features. Let’s have a look!

A summary of flight character, weapons, avionics

The J-8II is quite the interesting airplane with its mix of MiG-21, MiG-23, and F-4 design and design elements all crammed into one, the Peace Pearl variant with upgrades featuring US avionics continues that mashup of technologies even more. Deka’s new FAQ really goes into some detail about just what makes up this unique airframe and while they don’t explicitly state it, it seems that references for this avionics are very likely to be easier to get a handle on.

Some of the equipment in the J-8II is actually quite familiar. The HUD comes from the F-16A/B and is quite similar to the one that the DCS: F-16C sports. There’s also a HDD glass display with buttons and an interface that are very much an F-16C arrangement. The HOTAS? Modified from the F-15 style.

Radar is an APG-66(V)-PRC-F8 which apparently is quite similar to the US APG-66(V) found on the early F-16 series, however, it lacks most AG modes.

The RWR? Chinese and quite similar to the SPO-10 from some Russian aircraft. It’s primitive and can only do rough directions, search and lock, and so forth.

As for flying the aircraft itself, they also talk about some of the characteristics of the J-8. Deka report that it can easily accelerate to its top speed of Mach 2.2 and it can even overspeed its designed specifications reportedly going into an uncontrollable side-slip after exceeding Mach 2.35. The delta wing gives the airplane good stall character with minimum manoeuvring speed lower than 200km/h and an angle of attack around 30 degrees.

Weaponry is also detailed. Outboard pylons can carry 57 or 90mm rock pods, PL-5 and PL-8 missiles. The middle pylons can carry 250 kg GP bombs, PL-5, PL-8 and Aspide/PL-11 missiles, and the inboard pylons can only carry the PL-5. A centerline pylon can also carry up to six 250kg bombs.

For those less familiar with the weapon options. The PL-5 was based on the K-13/AA-2 Atoll which was based on an early Sidewinder version. Later versions like the PL-5E2 on the JF-17 are all aspect while the J-8II will probably sport a rear aspect only missile.

The PL-8 is based on the Python 3 missiles provided by Israel and is the second IR seeker missile in the J-8II’s arsenal with a slightly greater range. The Python 3 its based on could be slaved to a radar lock, however, this was not possible with Chinese radar systems. Will the J-8II PP version that we have be able to do it? Maybe.

Then we have the Aspide or PL-11 missile. This Italian designed missile was roughly similar to the AIM-7E Sparrow missile with a semi-active homing capability and approximately 20-21 nm maximum range. China produced early versions under license before a breakdown in relations lead to locally developed version. It’s unclear which version we’ll get.

Pricing and other features

Deka also confirmed that the aircraft will come with both English and Chinese localizations. It will not, however, have the Lazur-M GCI system (think of the GCI system that the M-2000C added some months ago) and the IFF system will remain the DCS World standard of being somewhat simplified.

They also talk pricing saying that it won’t be as expensive as the JF-17. The JF-17 is retailing for $79.99 USD so this may come in somewhat cheaper around the $69.99 or even $59.99 USD mark. This does make sense as the J-8II has far fewer systems to incorporate into the simulation than the JF-17 with its array of sensors, pods, and weaponry.

Check out the Deka J-8II FAQ for images, diagrams, and more explaining the J-8II. Should be an interesting airplane to check out.