[1] Weighing 3,172 kg (6,993 lb) empty, the J-12 is one of the lightest jet fighters ever built.

Prototypes of the J-12 were designed by Lu Xiaopeng and built by the Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company (NAMC).

The J-12 was a small single-seat jet fighter with low-set, swept wings, swept control surfaces, tubular fuselage, and nose intake with small or absent shock cone and flight testing began on 26 December 1970.

Due to less than satisfactory performance, three additional J-12I prototypes were built with improvements such as simplified control surfaces, a lighter area ruled fuselage, and revised intake.

[5] Data from Chinese Aircraft:China's aviation industry since 1951[6]General characteristics Performance Armament