In 1974, the PLAAF formally proposed the development of a replacement for the Shenyang J-6 for the 1980s by a light-weight air-superiority fighter aircraft capable of achieving speeds of up to Mach 2.0.
Initially planning to use the WS-9 turbofan engine (a copy of the British Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.
The Chinese R-29 copy, called the 'WP-15' (capable of 12,500 kg of wet thrust), like the earlier WS-6 engine, proved to be underwhelming.
The J-13's finalised design was a cantilever winged fighter with fuselage side-mounted air intakes.
Although never armed, the finalised design briefly outlined provisions for a cannon and at least two wingtip-mounted, PL-5 missiles.