Chinese Air Force’s Last Q-5 Attack Aircraft Delivered

The Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Group Corporation Limited under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) held a final assembly and delivery ceremony of the last Q-5 attack aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on October 25, 2012.

The Q-5 is a light supersonic attack aircraft developed by the China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (CNAMC) in the 1960s. It is mainly used to directly support operations of ground forces by attacking deep targets and effective strength of ground or water tactics and battles at a low altitude or a very low altitude.

The Q-5 is the first-generation supersonic attack aircraft developed by new China. It has won many victories, thus becoming one of the main types of airplanes of the PLA Air Force. The Q-5 project was started at the CNAMC in August 1958, with Lu Xiaopeng as the chief designer. The prototype of the Q-5 made its maiden flight in 1965 and the Q-5 was put into production in 1968.

The Q-5 series aircraft won the special prize of the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award in 1985, becoming a world-renowned “Asian Star”.

Source: Ministry of National Defence (China) News - 29 October 2012


Photo: The Chinese Air Force Q-5 Fantan Ground Attack Aircraft with Rocket pods and external fuel tanks. (Photo by chinesemilitaryreview.blogspot.com)


(29.10.2012)