Advanced JF-17 versions coming, 10 years after service entry

[A.P. Richelieu]

If there are plans for a new platform then thats all well and good, but frankly, the JF17 took 10 years to come from the drawing board to the runway, and that was actually a record of any major fighter aircraft in history

The Phantom II took much, much less time from drawing board to production.
Three years from drawing board to runway, five years to production.

 

[Gryphon]

we are total at 82 Block-II + 2JF-17B=84 and remaining 16 Block-II will be produced to make it 100 and one JF-17B will remain in China so for PAF it will be 2 JF-17B and 98 Block-II. Please highlight if any mistake here.

The 2 JF-17B's are not ready yet.

PAC produces a batch of 4 JF-17s (for PAF) every 3 months. 16 Block 2 aircraft were produced in 2015 and 16 more in 2016. 16 (Block 2) + 2 JF-17B will be produced in 2017.

IMO, only 2 JF-17B for PAF does not make any sense since PAF intends to use the two seat version for its LIFT requirement. Also, the next squadron to be replaced uses the FT-7P.

If the 12 additional JF-17s PAC will produce in 2018 are for PAF (and not for export), then they are likely two-seat versions.

@Bilal Khan (Quwa) @MarvellousThunder@PDC @Windjammer

 

[The Eagle]

The 2 JF-17B's are not ready yet.

PAC produces a batch of 4 JF-17s (for PAF) every 3 months. 16 Block 2 aircraft were produced in 2015 and 16 more in 2016. 16 (Block 2) + 2 JF-17B will be produced in 2017.

IMO, only 2 JF-17B for PAF does not make any sense since PAF intends to use the two seat version for its LIFT requirement. Also, the next squadron to be replaced uses the FT-7P.

If the 12 additional JF-17s PAC will produce in 2018 are for PAF (and not for export), then they are likely two-seat versions.

@Bilal Khan (Quwa) @MarvellousThunder@PDC @Windjammer

May be we are looking at what you described. Initially, we may stop at 36 total for PAF and start to fill the orders and in the mean time, we may receive two seat version by April or so for integration/testing. Once we are closing the export order that might include 1 or 2 JF-17B (I am not sure here), we will be seeing remaining Block-II for PAF as twin seat JF-17B (12).

so 50=Block-I
36=Single Seat Block-II
02=JF-17B expected around April, 2017 and
12=remaining JF-17B to make it total,
100=JF-17 (with 14 twin seats).

 

[WarFariX]

The 2 JF-17B's are not ready yet.



@Bilal Khan (Quwa) @MarvellousThunder@PDC @Windjammer

From what news i have , u have predicted wrong...

PAC produces a batch of 4 JF-17s (for PAF) every 3 months. 16 Block 2 aircraft were produced in 2015 and 16 more in 2016. 16 (Block 2) + 2 JF-17B will be produced in 2017.

IMO, only 2 JF-17B for PAF does not make any sense since PAF intends to use the two seat version for its LIFT requirement. Also, the next squadron to be replaced uses the FT-7P.

If the 12 additional JF-17s PAC will produce in 2018 are for PAF (and not for export), then they are likely two-seat versions.

@Bilal Khan (Quwa) @MarvellousThunder@PDC @Windjammer

myanmar and nigeria combined have total order of 19 thunders (dunno the inside story) so we have seen 3 ruby and heard that nigerian thunders r ready....so we can expect jf17bs for us next year and especially during reign of block 3 , i have feeling that we will produce mix of single and double block 3 per year for paf as new systems need pilots to get familiarized so double seaters will give more advantages

 

[Tank131]

The Phantom II took much, much less time from drawing board to production.
Three years from drawing board to runway, five years to production.

I stand corrected. Perhaps i should have said modern fighter.

@volatile, i am not suggesting their may not be changes to the JF-17 akin to what we saw on F-16, F-18, and Gripen. The aircraft could be redesigned to be larger, possibly stealthier (meaning significant RCS reduction without being 5th gen or having internal bays) with bigger engine or payload. But i suspect that having smarter updates like use of recessed weapons stations on the fuselage amd more composites amd a stronger engine (like WS-13E or EJ200 or potentially a Turkish varient of the Eurojet (EJ200 /EJ230) which could have between 20,000 amd 23, 000 lbs thrust) would solve your payload and hardpoint porblem while reducing RCS.

 

[MastanKhan]

I stand corrected. Perhaps i should have said modern fighter.

That is what I had assumed---but our dear Cardinal does not miss the chance.

 

[Gryphon]

May be we are looking at what you described. Initially, we may stop at 36 total for PAF and start to fill the orders and in the mean time, we may receive two seat version by April or so for integration/testing. Once we are closing the export order that might include 1 or 2 JF-17B (I am not sure here), we will be seeing remaining Block-II for PAF as twin seat JF-17B (12).

so 50=Block-I
36=Single Seat Block-II
02=JF-17B expected around April, 2017 and
12=remaining JF-17B to make it total,
100=JF-17 (with 14 twin seats).

Read again. The 12 aircraft are in addition to the 50 Block 2's (48+2). So, all F-7P's will be replaced when the sixth JF-17 squadron is formed (18x6 = 108 aircraft).

With contracts for 50 Block 1 and 50 Block 2s signed and deliveries of all but the last 14 Block 2s, attention is now switching to a contract for 50 Block 3 models. However, it is looking increasingly as if production of these aircraft will not start until 2019, and as a result PAC will manufacture 12 additional Block 2s in 2018, to ensure production does not halt.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

That is what I had assumed---but our dear Cardinal does not miss the chance.

On 20 March 2015, US Air Force officials released T-X program requirements.

On 22 August 2016, SAAB/Boeing publicly revealed first pictures of the T-X concept.
The single-engine, twin-tail aircraft was presented to the public on 13 September.

The aircraft was first flown on 20 December 2016.

 

[khanasifm]

F16 vs JF cutway diagram. To add additional under wing pylon need to extend steel support structure all the way to the wing tip or to third pylon

 

[Bindas]

I had put the figure for 40 FC-31 at 8 bilion dolllars for buying aircraft, spares, maintenance equipment , ammunition, the advance A2A missiles and training pilot and maintenance personnel.
Question is the 8 billion dollar way off. Will it be cheaper for pakistan.

heck 36 rafale is costing us more...

Hi,

The operational costs of stealth 5th gen aircraft is astronomical.

Oh---by the way---no one ever answered to me---about this cost of flying the 5th gen aircraft by PAF in the future---.

If the Paf could not afford the M2K's or the Rafale---how could they afford flying a 5th gen---which has a very high maintenance cost---.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Would be nice to see JF17 Block 3 in Black Chemoflauge for Block -3 would look amazing

JF-17 Block 3 in Black , and Shaded cockpit for better vision protection from glare hmmm would look tremendous

The F16 Below is partially black /Grey / White scheme

More of the Black Theme for F16 V

Would be nice to see the JF17 - Block 3 Standout with its Color scheme

• Black
  
• Black Charcoal (The bomber paint)

The Special color scheme will certainly make the Block 2 stand out visually

My head is just trying to visually the Thunder in Black

Since the JF-17 Block 3 will be a DIFFERENT type of beast , makes sense it gets a "meanacing" color scheme

• Would be great marketing Gimick
  
• Awesome to have these for Parades or Teaching schools
  
• Also tehnically can be active squadron as well

• How about 1 Squadron ? For marketing purpose- Agressors Squadron in practice

 

[WarFariX]

Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Fighter Will Fly In 2017

Advanced JF-17 versions coming, 10 years after service entry

Alan Warnes | Aviation Week & Space Technology
Feb 13, 2017

With the first export orders signed and new capabilities being introduced at a rapid pace, 2017 looks set to be an important year for the JF-17 Thunder developed by China and Pakistan.

The first flight of a two-seat version—JF-17B—is planned for the first quarter, Pakistan will stand up its fifth squadron flying the aircraft, and contracts are due to be signed for the most advanced variant, the Block 3, complete with active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The new fighter is critical to the Pakistani air force’s growth plan. Besides introducing new capabilities, it helps avoid Western sanctions that have previously blighted its operations. The development of a two-seat version is seen as key to adding capabilities and generating export orders. Assembly of the first twin-stick aircraft is underway at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra. Three are being built, one for China’s Avic and two for Pakistan’s air force. Having a two-seater in the testing and development program will speed up the integration of weaponry, according to Chinese partner Catic. The first JF-17B is expected in Pakistan by mid-2017.

“Pakistan’s air force has never needed dual seaters to train its fighter pilots. We took delivery of the Shenyang F6, Chengdu F-7P/PG, Hongdu A-5C and the JF-17 without a trainer version,” says Air Marshal Arshad Malik, the chairman of PAC. “But we appreciate the Thunder’s technologies will be new to many of our markets [in Africa, the Middle East and Asia] so we opted to develop a dual-seater with our Chinese friends,” he adds.

With contracts for 50 Block 1 and 50 Block 2s signed and deliveries of all but the last 14 Block 2s, attention is now switching to a contract for 50 Block 3 models. However, it is looking increasingly as if production of these aircraft will not start until 2019, and as a result PAC will manufacture 12 additional Block 2s in 2018, to ensure production does not halt.

A decision on a new AESA radar for the Block 3s will be made this May. There are several contenders, including at least two Chinese options. One is the upgraded China Electronics Technology Group Corp. KLJ-7A, while Leonardo (formerly Selex ES) is also offering a system.

Another improvement is an aerial refueling capability. Trials and qualifications of a new production aircraft built with a Chinese inflight refueling probe are also reportedly underway.

Block 3 enhancements will also include new avionics, better electronic warfare systems, increased payload and more sophisticated weaponry. PAC officials describe it as the ultimate JF-17—and with an AESA radar, it will have the capability to employ longer-range weapons and track multiple aircraft. If the requirement is there, Block 1/2s will be upgraded to the Block 3 standard later.

The Russian-made Klimov RD-93 engine, which has flown over 30,000 hr. with Pakistani air force JF-17s, will likely to be replaced by a Chinese option. But this will take time and will come as an upgrade.

PAC is currently producing 16 aircraft a year for the air force; the 16th fighter aircraft for the service was handed over on Dec. 31. A similar number will be delivered this year to cover the last batch of Block 2 jets. “We can increase our output even further to cope with future exports,” Malik adds. Nigeria has already confirmed an order for three JF-17s, but no further details are known.

Pakistan’s air arm is operating the JF-17 with four squadrons at four bases, with a fifth due to form shortly. Its aircraft have been qualified for the anti-shipping role, equipped with the C-802AK missile and air defense duties with the SD-10A beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (AAM) and the PL-5E short-range AAM.

Several air-to-surface weapons have also been integrated, including the CM-400 stand-off supersonic missile and the CM-102 lightweight anti-radiation missile. Work with the 500-lb. GB-1 laser guided bomb and the YINGS III targeting pod, on display at the Zhuhai Air Show last November, is underway. Pakistan’s air force is exploring further options as it looks to continuously boost its operational readiness.

Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Fighter Will Fly In 2017 | Aviation Week & Space Technology


@HRK @Path-Finder @Bilal Khan (Quwa) @Oscar @Windjammer @Horus @TheDarkKnight @PAR 5 @Ulla @django

do u have subscription? next article will contain details on why jf17b nose is larger and tail is inclined and larger so plz try to share the article with us too

 

[khanasifm]

Note:
1. Assembly of the first twin-stick aircraft is underway at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra.
2. A decision on a new AESA radar for the Block 3s will be made this May.
3. rials and qualifications of a new production aircraft built with a Chinese inflight refueling probe are also reportedly underway.
4. including the CM-400 stand-off supersonic missile and the CM-102 lightweight anti-radiation missile. Work with the 500-lb. GB-1 laser guided bomb and the YINGS III targeting pod

 

[Readerdefence]

Note:
1. Assembly of the first twin-stick aircraft is underway at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra.
2. A decision on a new AESA radar for the Block 3s will be made this May.
3. rials and qualifications of a new production aircraft built with a Chinese inflight refueling probe are also reportedly underway.
4. including the CM-400 stand-off supersonic missile and the CM-102 lightweight anti-radiation missile. Work with the 500-lb. GB-1 laser guided bomb and the YINGS III targeting pod

Hi there are three models of yings 111 which one PAC is ordering any info?

 

[The SC]

Can anyone explain why the JF-17 does not have a full fledged flight-by-wire system?
Is it because it is by design inherently stable in flight?
Nations are looking at flight-by-light ( fiberoptics) now..