The Shenyang J-8 (Jian-8; NATOreporting name Finback) is ahigh-speed, high-altitude Chinese-built single-seat interceptor fighteraircraft. The J-8 was the subject of an advanced fighter programme that startedin Chinain the late 1960s. The J-8 was the first PLAAF aircraft of domestic design. Theoverall configuration is a straightforward enlargement of the MiG-21/J-7 layoutto accommodate two engines. Although it resembled Mikoyan’s experimental Ye-152A,contrary to some reports, it was not based on that aircraft. Production beganin December 1979, with about 100 aircraft of the first configuration enteringservice. The J-8 is a delta-wing aircraft with vertical tail surfaces similarto late-production MiG-21s. It also incorporates technology gleaned from theSoviet MiG-23 variable geometry aircraft. Design work on the improved J-8-IIbegan in 1980, with production beginning in the late 1980s. The J-8-II has acompletely new front end with much larger radar and ventral inlets, along withother less obvious improvements. The improved aircraft was comparable inaerodynamic performance to the Soviet Su-15 "Flagon".