J-8
First flew on 5 July 1969.
Initial day fighter variant, resembles an enlarged MiG-21.
Equipped with 2 x WP-7A turbojet engines, SR-4 ranging radar 2 x Type 30-I 30mm cannon (200 rounds each), and 2 x PL-2 IR-guided AAMs.
Limited production.

J-8I
First flew on 24 April 1981.
Improved all-weather version with SL-7A fire-control radar (40 km range), twin-barrel Type 23-III 23 mm cannon, & up to 4 AAMs (or rockets/bombs).
Limited production.

J-8E
Final version of the J-8I series.
J-8E is equipped with a type 204 (JL-7) mono-pulse fire-control radar with look down shot down capability, SM-8A aeronautical optical gun-sight, onboard computer, new cockpit panel, and redesign ejection escape system and oxygen supply system.
The original two Type 30-I 30mm cannons were replaced by two Type 23-III 23mm cannons.
The four under-wing stores stations are capable of carrying the more advanced PL-5 series short-range AAM.
These aircraft were also fitted with an improved electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite including KJ-8602B all-aspect radar warning receiver (RWR).

JZ-8 (J-8R)
Reconnaissance version of J-8 or J-8I.
J-8ACT
First flew on 24 June 1990, fly-by-wire testbed aircraft.
J-8
First flew on 5 July 1969. Initial day fighter variant, resembles an enlarged MiG-21. Equipped with 2 x WP-7A turbojet engines, SR-4 ranging radar 2 x Type 30-I 30mm cannon (200 rounds each), and 2 x PL-2 IR-guided AAMs. Limited production.
J-8I
First flew on 24 April 1981. Improved all-weather version with SL-7A fire-control radar (40 km range), twin-barrel Type 23-III 23 mm cannon, & up to 4 AAMs (or rockets/bombs). Limited production.
J-8E
Final version of the J-8I series. J-8E is equipped with a type 204 (JL-7) mono-pulse fire-control radar with look down shot down capability, SM-8A aeronautical optical gun-sight, onboard computer, new cockpit panel, and redesign ejection escape system and oxygen supply system. The original two Type 30-I 30mm cannons were replaced by two Type 23-III 23mm cannons. The four under-wing stores stations are capable of carrying the more advanced PL-5 series short-range AAM. These aircraft were also fitted with an improved electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite including KJ-8602B all-aspect radar warning receiver (RWR).
JZ-8 (J-8R)
Reconnaissance version of J-8 or J-8I.
J-8ACT
First flew on 24 June 1990, fly-by-wire testbed aircraft.
Shenyang J-8