Nanchang Q-5 / A-5 Fantan

Summary

Description

In August 1958, the People's Liberation Army requested the development of a jet attack aircraft for air support, leading to the Nanchang Q-5. Lu Xiaopeng was appointed chief designer, creating a design based on the MiG-19 but with a longer, area-ruled fuselage to reduce transonic drag and accommodate a 4 m (13-ft) internal weapons bay. The air intakes were moved to the fuselage sides, initially intended to free up space in the nose for a target radar which was never actually implemented. New wings with greater area and reduced sweep were incorporated. The Q-5 utilized the same Liming Wopen WP-6 A (Tumansky RD-9) turbojet engines as the J-6. Although production drawings were completed in 1960, the project was canceled in 1961 due to the political climate in China, but it was later revived. The first flight finally occurred on 4 July 1965, and series production began in 1969, with squadron deliveries starting in 1970.

The Nanchang Q-5 incorporates significant design changes tailored for its ground-attack role compared to the Shenyang J-6 on which it was based. Its fuselage is longer and area-ruled to reduce transonic drag, accommodating a 4-meter internal weapons bay. The air intakes were moved to the fuselage sides, and new wings with greater area and reduced sweep were also incorporated. Fixed armament includes two Type 23-1 23 mm cannon, mounted in the wing roots, each with 100 rounds. Later models introduced advancements such as laser rangefinders, HUDs, and new navigation systems, enhancing precision strike capabilities.

For external stores, the aircraft is equipped with two pylons under each wing and two pairs of tandem pylons located under the engines, in addition to an internal weapons bay. It has a total of 10 hardpoints. The internal weapons bay has been used for an auxiliary fuel tank in later models, increasing fuel capacity by over 70%, or for delivering nuclear munitions in some variants like the Q-5A, retaining the bay for this purpose. The aircraft can carry up to 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of ordnance internally and an additional 1,000 kg externally, for a total payload capacity of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). The hardpoints allow for a variety of air-to-air missiles such as the PL-2, PL-5, and PL-7, as well as unguided rocket pods in 57 mm, 90 mm, and 130 mm sizes. It can also carry a range of bombs including 50 kg, 150 kg, 250 kg, and 500 kg unguided bombs, BL755 cluster bombs, and Matra Durandal anti-runway bombs. Fuel tanks, with capacities of 400 L, 760 L, and 1,100 L, can also be carried on the hardpoints.

The Nanchang Q-5 has seen operational use in various regions and conflicts. The Sudanese Air Force deployed its A-5 attack jets during the War in Darfur. In March 2015, a Myanmar Air Force A-5C accidentally dropped bombs on a Chinese village within the Yunnan province, resulting in casualties. In April 2017, Q-5s were observed practicing air strikes in Bohai Bay. The aircraft was also exported to nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, where it was often designated as the A-5. While considered a capable light attack platform, its navigation and weapons-delivery systems were superseded by more modern aircraft during the 2010s, leading to its eventual replacement by the Xi'an JH-7 in Chinese service.

Main Variants:

• Q-5: The original production version featured a total of six pylons, two under each wing and two under the fuselage, and was later superseded by the Q-5A.

• Q-5Jia: A modified Q-5 variant engineered to carry nuclear bombs, with only a limited number produced.

• Q-5I (Q-5A): This variant replaced the internal weapon bay with an internal fuel tank, increasing fuel capacity by over 70%.

• Q-5II (Q-5C): An improved Q-5I, this variant was equipped with omnidirectional radar warning receivers and, later, a Type 205 pulse doppler navigation radar was installed on several planes to enhance navigation capabilities.

• Q-5D: Introduced during the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, this interim attack aircraft featured the DG-1 integrated doppler navigation/GPS system, replacing the separate systems of the Q-5C.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	China	118
	Myanmar	20
	Sudan	20

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Bangladesh • China • Myanmar • Pakistan • North Korea • Sudan

Photo of Q-5 / A-5 Fantan