Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
J-2
The Shenyang J‑2 was the People’s Republic of China’s first domestically assembled jet fighter, entering service in the mid‑1950s. Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation from the Soviet MiG‑15bis design, the J‑2 incorporated a licensed‑built Klimov VK‑1 turbo‑jet, a 35° swept wing, and a conventional tricycle landing gear. Production began in 1956 and a total of 210 airframes were built, serving primarily with the PLAAF’s frontline units until the early 1970s, after which they were relegated to advanced trainer and liaison roles.
Key features of the aircraft include a maximum speed of 1,075 km/h at sea level, a service ceiling of 15,500 m, and an armament suite of one 37 mm Nudelman N‑37 cannon paired with two 23 mm NR‑23 guns. The J‑2’s all‑metal construction, hydraulic flight‑control system and relatively simple maintenance requirements made it well suited to the nascent Chinese aviation industry. Its operational history laid the groundwork for later indigenous designs such as the J‑5 and J‑7, providing valuable experience in jet‑engine integration, aerodynamics, and mass production. Consequently, the J‑2 is regarded as a pivotal step in China’s transition from licensed copy to independent fighter development.
Key features of the aircraft include a maximum speed of 1,075 km/h at sea level, a service ceiling of 15,500 m, and an armament suite of one 37 mm Nudelman N‑37 cannon paired with two 23 mm NR‑23 guns. The J‑2’s all‑metal construction, hydraulic flight‑control system and relatively simple maintenance requirements made it well suited to the nascent Chinese aviation industry. Its operational history laid the groundwork for later indigenous designs such as the J‑5 and J‑7, providing valuable experience in jet‑engine integration, aerodynamics, and mass production. Consequently, the J‑2 is regarded as a pivotal step in China’s transition from licensed copy to independent fighter development.