(China)

Notes: This multi-role fighter project (Project 33) began in 1973. It would have been the ultimate development of the J-7 (MiG-21 “Fishbed”) airframe, with bifurcated variable inlets, fly-by-wire controls, and canards. The design was completed in 1975; however Chinese metallurgy, electronics, and machining skills in the mid-seventies were not up to the task and the project was cancelled in 1980. The much simpler J-8 “Finback” instead filled it’s intended niche in the PLAAF.

Intended sensor was the Type 205 radar with a 30NM range, and four PL-2 or PL-4 AAMs as armament. Planned max speed was Mach 2.4, ceiling would have been around 66,000’.

The Western media often confuses the J-9 designation with the “Super Seven” project which eventually became the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter of today. In reality the two programmes were completely unrelated.