HSIAN A DEVELOPMENT 1970 - 1079 (TSR)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00556A000100460001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
lma9ory analysis report
Hslan A Development 1970-1979 (TSR)
Top Secret
Top Secret
25X1
25X1
IAN-0090/79 25X1
NOVEMBER 1979
Copy 16 7
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
op Secret RUFF
HSIAN A DEVELOPMENT 1970-1979 (TSR)
INTRODUCTION
25X1
25X1
1. (TSR) The development of the Hsian A aircraft was the result of a need by the People's
Republic of China (PRC) to improve its capabilities in the area of high-altitude, hi h-speed
interception. The first prototype of the Hsian A was observed on imagery of at the 25X1
flight test center at Xian (Hsian) Airframe Plant Yanliang (Yen-Jiang) l72_________________ It is 25X1
similar in size and appearance to the Soviet Mikoyan-designed FLIPPER and is assessed to be a
single-seat, twin jet, delta-wing, high-performance interceptor (Figure 1). There have been no
apparent external changes in the design of subsequently produced Hsian A aircraft.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
2. (TSR) Between June 1970, the date of
the initial identification of the Hsian A, and
April 1973, the aircraft was seen only at the
Xian Flight Test Center. During that period, it
was observed on 11 occasions, usually parked
on a revetted hardstand at the flyaway airfield.
3. (TSR) On a Hsian A
was observed for the first time at Shenyang
Shen-yang) Airframe Plant 112
Also on this date, a fuselage, a wing
section, and a horizontal stabilizer section of a
Hsian A were seen adjacent to the taxiway of
the flyaway airfield. Each section appeared to
be on a dolly. These sections could have been
parts of a mockup of a full-scale Hsian A. For
several months, the sections remained in this
same area, which is near the aerodynamic test
facilities of the plant. The presence of a Hsian
A, Hsian A components, and aerodynamic test
facilities at Shenyang Airframe Plant 112 is
strong evidence that the Hsian A prototype
aircraft were produced at this plant.
4. (TSR) Between May 1973 and January
1976, a Hsian A was observed at the Xian
Airframe Plant Flight Test Center on at least
ten different occasions. During this same time-
frame, a Hsian A was seen only three times at
Shenyang Airframe Plant 112. The imagery of
the two plants was obtained on various dates
during this period; whether a second Hsian A
existed could not be determined.
5. ~ In January 1976, two Hsian A 25X1
were observed for the first time at Xian Flight
Test Center. Another Hsian A was observed in
October 1976 and a fourth in February 1977.
The increase of three prototype aircraft within
a 13-month period indicates that the problems
encountered with the aircraft between 1970 and
1973 had probably been resolved.
observed at Xian Flight Test Center in Febru-
ary 1978. Since that time, three to five Hsian A
have usually been seen at the flight test center.
6. (TSR) Prior to May 1979, only single
appearances of Hsian A were observed at Shen-
yang Airframe Plant 112. A high count of
three Hsian A was observed on
There have been observations of two Hsian A at
the Shenyang Plant on two occasions since
May 1979.
7. (TSR) On imagery of
six Hsian A were confirmed as being in the
PRC-five at Xian Flight Test Center and one
at Shenyang Airframe Plant 112. The imagery
was obtained within a one-hour period with no
indication of a recent Hsian A takeoff or land-
ing at either flyaway airfield. This is the high-
25X1
L~A I
25X1
25X1
Top Secret
IA R-0090/79
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80T00556A000100460001-5
Top Secret RUFF
25X1
25X1
FIGURE 1. LINE DRAWING OF HSIAN A
25X1
Top Secret
IAR-0090/79 25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80T00556A000100460001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
Top Secret RUFF
est Hsian A count for same-day coverage of the
two plants.
8. (TSR) It is possible, however, that at
least a seventh Hsian A exists. On imagery
obtained within the five-day period from
four Hsian A were
Hsian and three at Shenyang.
9. I Except for
one occasion, Hsian A aircraft have been seen
only at Xian Airframe Plant's Flight Test Cen-
ter and Shenyang Airframe Plant 112. On E
a Hsian A was observed at Cang-
xian (Tsang-hsien) Airfield It
remained at the airfield through and
was not present when the airfield was imaged
on The 11th Air School, the
primary Advanced Jet Fighter Training School
in the PRC, is based at the Cangxian Airfield.2
The airfield currently has a complement of
FISHBED and FARMER aircraft and should
be considered as a prime candidate for future
Hsian A deployment.
External Stores
10. (TSR) Hsian A at Xian Flight Test
Center have been observed with external
stores. On several occasions, a Hsian A was
observed with external fuel tanks mounted out-
board of the wing fences. These fuel tanks
appeared to be similar to the tanks used on the
FISHBED (Figure 2).
IMAGERY ANALYST'S COMMENTS
12. (TSR) Based on an analysis of imag-
ery obtained between June 1970 and late 1975,
it is believed that only one Hsian A prototype
was probably in flight test status during that
period. When the problems with the aircraft
were almost solved (possibly in 1974), the deci-
sion to continue prototype testing was proba-
bly made. The delivery of three Hsian A to the
Xian Flight Test Center in 1976 would indicate
that the Hsian A performance met the flight
requirements for high-speed, high-altitude in-
terceptor missions.
13. (TSR) With six or possibly seven
Hsian A currently in the PRC inventory, the
development program of the basic aircraft
should be almost complete. Possible delay of
series production or operational deployment
may be encountered because of the nonavaila-
bility of suitable air-to-air missile systems to
support the interceptor function of this air-
craft.
REFERENCES
1. DIA.
79, p70 (TOP SECRET
2. DIA. DDI-1300-17-76-SI, AOB Aircraft Order-of-Battle (U) Mar 76 (TOP SECRET
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
Top Secret
11. (TSR) Since several
Hsian A have been designed with armament
positions (Figure 3). These
pylons/stores are positioned inboard of the
wing fence and extend forward of
the leading edge of the wing. There have been
no indications of air-to-air missiles on or near
the Hsian A aircraft.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
IAR-0090/79 25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5
Top Secret
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP80TOO556A000100460001-5