Hongdu
Q-5IV
The Q‑5IV is the latest variant of the Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group’s Q‑5 family, a series of indigenous Chinese fighter‑bombers derived from the Soviet MiG‑19. Development began in the early 2010s as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force sought a modernized ground‑attack platform that could incorporate contemporary avionics while retaining the low‑cost, rugged airframe that made the original Q‑5 popular. The Q‑5IV entered limited production in 2018 and achieved full operational status in 2021, serving primarily with PLAAF and some export customers.
Key features include a re‑engineered Twin‑Spool turbo‑fan engine delivering 9,000 lb thrust, a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a digital fly‑by‑wire flight control system, and compatibility with precision‑guided munitions such as the LS‑1 and PL‑10. Structural upgrades incorporate composite wing panels and an enlarged internal weapons bay, improving payload capacity to 4,500 kg. Advanced electronic‑countermeasure suites and a modern radar provide limited air‑to‑air capability.
The Q‑5IV’s significance lies in bridging the gap between legacy subsonic attack aircraft and newer fifth‑generation fighters, offering a cost‑effective solution for close‑air support and strike missions, while demonstrating China’s growing ability to modernize legacy designs with indigenous technology.
Key features include a re‑engineered Twin‑Spool turbo‑fan engine delivering 9,000 lb thrust, a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a digital fly‑by‑wire flight control system, and compatibility with precision‑guided munitions such as the LS‑1 and PL‑10. Structural upgrades incorporate composite wing panels and an enlarged internal weapons bay, improving payload capacity to 4,500 kg. Advanced electronic‑countermeasure suites and a modern radar provide limited air‑to‑air capability.
The Q‑5IV’s significance lies in bridging the gap between legacy subsonic attack aircraft and newer fifth‑generation fighters, offering a cost‑effective solution for close‑air support and strike missions, while demonstrating China’s growing ability to modernize legacy designs with indigenous technology.