Are we able to make an aircraft like F-16?

[Hamzay]

I'm not a technical guy. I have no good knowledge of aeronautical engineering. But I'm interested to know if we have ability to manufacture an aircraft like F-16?

JF-17 is mashaAllah a wonderful project. Can't we get China or Russia to do another joint venture for something like or better than F-16?

 

[StraightShooter]

I'm not a technical guy. I have no good knowledge of aeronautical engineering. But I'm interested to know if we have ability to manufacture an aircraft like F-16?

JF-17 is mashaAllah a wonderful project. Can't we get China or Russia to do another joint venture for something like or better than F-16?

As per reports JF-17 block 3 would be better than F-16 Block 52.

You are already manufacturing JF-17 Block 2 which are better than F-16 Block 40.

 

[war&peace]

Pakistan is focussing on JF 17 block III and then it wants to work on fifth gen A/C .... next gen A/C is always better than 4 or 4.5 gen... and that's the best direction for Pakistan to go.

You can seek more qualified opinions by experts like @Bilal Khan (Quwa) and @MastanKhan

 

[Ultima Thule]

I'm not a technical guy. I have no good knowledge of aeronautical engineering. But I'm interested to know if we have ability to manufacture an aircraft like F-16?

JF-17 is mashaAllah a wonderful project. Can't we get China or Russia to do another joint venture for something like or better than F-16?

with exception of weapon payload and range blk-2 is already on parF-16 blk40/42
and blk-3 is way better than F-16 blk52 and Pakistan initiated a project NGF which is 5th gen stealth jet

 

[rcrmj]

There is no significent generational gap between F-16 and F-17, so you cant just simply to say one is better than the other```if you want to break them down into individual parts or sub-systems then you can judge like that.

But remember this, a fighter jet is a complex system, a collective body, an aggregation of high tech parts..... and there is an art of choosing parts and sub-systems, there is alway compromise involved during the process. So in our circle, a good platform is defined by how well it meets the needs, not how many fancy things you can squeeze in a confined space``

 

[LeGenD]

As per reports JF-17 block 3 would be better than F-16 Block 52.

You are already manufacturing JF-17 Block 2 which are better than F-16 Block 40.

I am sorry but these claims are largely unsubstantiated. JF-17 Thunder has good airframe (no doubt) but its primary advantage lay in the aspects that these aircraft are not prone to sanctions and can be customized according to the needs of PAF any time. More importantly, they are suitable for utilizing armaments designed by Pakistan and/or China which is a big relief.

Block-III project represents an effort to bring JF-17 Thunder 'on par' with F-16 in certain aspects but not sure where it will fit because F-16 has continued to evolve as a platform and latest F-16V are truly state-of-the-art.

F-16 Block 52 are the most technologically advanced aircraft in the inventory of PAF at present - no ifs and buts about this - and mostly reserved for top-of-the-line pilots. These are/were the first to grant PAF the capability to conduct precision strikes in night-time conditions and threaten SU-30 MKI in air-to-air engagements.

However;

With F-16, things are high-tech but 'constraints' also follow.

 

[Oldman1]

There is no significent generational gap between F-16 and F-17, so you cant just simply to say one is better than the other```if you want to break them down into individual parts or sub-systems then you can judge like that.

But remember this, a fighter jet is a complex system, a collective body, an aggregation of high tech parts..... and there is an art of choosing parts and sub-systems, there is alway compromise involved during the process. So in our circle, a good platform is defined by how well it meets the needs, not how many fancy things you can squeeze in a confined space``

Sure there is significant gap. But if you are talking about just current F-16s, probably on par. But we are talking advanced F-16s like the V version well it be a big gap in terms of radar, engine, etc.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2016/Meet-the-F-16V.html

Meet the F-16V: The Most Technologically Advanced 4th Generation Fighter in the World

 

[Cool_Soldier]

JF-17 thunder Block-3 would be something equal to F-16 in terms of technical balance.

 

[Fireurimagination]

If JF-17 would have been better than F-16, PAF wouldn't have been desperate to lay it's hand on F-16. US is by far the most technological advanced nation on the planet. It will still take a decade I believe for others to catch up with them.

 

[rcrmj]

Sure there is significant gap. But if you are talking about just current F-16s, probably on par. But we are talking advanced F-16s like the V version well it be a big gap in terms of radar, engine, etc.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2016/Meet-the-F-16V.html

Meet the F-16V: The Most Technologically Advanced 4th Generation Fighter in the World

and the latest F-17 will also have most advanced AESA radars too (16 and 607 two institutions are competing on this)`in the field of advanced arry radar, there are only two serious players, China and U.S, each has advantage on different aspects of this field````but you can argue on the engine bit```

I am sorry but these claims are largely unsubstantiated. JF-17 Thunder has good airframe (no doubt) but its primary advantage lay in the aspects that these aircraft are not prone to sanctions and can be customized according to the needs of PAF any time. More importantly, they are suitable for utilizing armaments designed by Pakistan and/or China which is a big relief.

Block-III project represents an effort to bring JF-17 Thunder 'on par' with F-16 in certain aspects but not sure where it will fit because F-16 has continued to evolve as a platform and latest F-16V are truly state-of-the-art.

F-16 Block 52 are the most technologically advanced aircraft in the inventory of PAF at present - no ifs and buts about this - and mostly reserved for top-of-the-line pilots. These are/were the first to grant PAF the capability to conduct precision strikes in night-time conditions and threaten SU-30 MKI in air-to-air engagements.

However;

With F-16, things are high-tech but 'constraints' also follow.

PAF would probably be the first to have 5th gen fighter in the region, if India is not buying F-35````````hope that project will go well``````````I can only say this much

 

[ebrahym]

The JF-17 is to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), complementing the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon whose performance it roughly matches, at half the cost.[3]
CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder - Wikipedia

 

[LeGenD]

Sure there is significant gap. But if you are talking about just current F-16s, probably on par. But we are talking advanced F-16s like the V version well it be a big gap in terms of radar, engine, etc.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2016/Meet-the-F-16V.html

Meet the F-16V: The Most Technologically Advanced 4th Generation Fighter in the World

F-16V is miles ahead of anything in Asia (at large) in similar class.

One thing I would like to add - even China is not willing to [export] its 'most state-of-the-art' products/components to any customer [understandably]. This forced Pakistan to source a few parts from other states for JF-17 Thunder.

But remember this, a fighter jet is a complex system, a collective body, an aggregation of high tech parts..... and there is an art of choosing parts and sub-systems, there is alway compromise involved during the process. So in our circle, a good platform is defined by how well it meets the needs, not how many fancy things you can squeeze in a confined space``

That is also a good way to look at things.

 

[ito]

F16V incorporates 5th gen features from F35, and US, no doubt, is the most technologically advanced country in the world...so as Jf17 evolves...F16 too is evolving but with US technological advances...Personally, I feel F16 is hands down a much better fighter plane than JF17.

 

[Sinnerman108]

I'm not a technical guy. I have no good knowledge of aeronautical engineering. But I'm interested to know if we have ability to manufacture an aircraft like F-16?

JF-17 is mashaAllah a wonderful project. Can't we get China or Russia to do another joint venture for something like or better than F-16?

You are also too young.

you can ask a question, but you have to qualify your question. as below

Can we make an XYZ aircraft Vs Can we make an XYZ aircraft effectively / efficiently.

Unless there is a large commercial base, and strong civilian partnership
no one can make these aircraft effectively.

 

[ghazi768]

I'm not a technical guy. I have no good knowledge of aeronautical engineering. But I'm interested to know if we have ability to manufacture an aircraft like F-16?

JF-17 is mashaAllah a wonderful project. Can't we get China or Russia to do another joint venture for something like or better than F-16?

It depends upon why you think that we need to manufacture 'an aircraft like F-16' and depends upon why in your comparison JF-17 do not fulfil this and in what departments it does not fulfil this?

What are you trying to compare, flying qualities, avionics or specific operational capabilities.

In turn rates it is at par with A/Bs which are better than C/Ds. In sustained turn rates it is almost right along with C/Ds(which by the way are still better than whatever is on offer under the sun) lacking somewhat in thrust which will be corrected in next block..

In range it is a bit less than A/Bs and more less from C/Ds because of CFTs. Russians/Chinese had different operational/tactical concepts and doctrines from west. But this is getting corrected and in newer blocks will be fully taken care of.

In avionics, in terms of man to machine interface it is where we wanted it to be.. based on our experience with F-16s as well as ROSE mirages. Now in terms of sensors, radar wise it is near to APG-68 in AA modes if not fully equal, SAR is where C/Ds are better. Important thing is that it can handle all threats which our enemy can throw at us. With AESA in next block it will be superior. In terms of targeting pod, we have integrated a very good pod. It may not be equal in some modes with Sniper but does it job well.

It is fully networked and is geared to provide a good operational picture from different sensors.

It stands fine in short as well as medium range AA combat against what our enemy can throw at us. SD-10s are finely tuned to our experience with AMRAAMs and are geared to handle the threats we can face.
In different AG modes, it is not equivalent but getting there.. In Anti-shipping, it is actually better with better ranged weapons at hands. In SEAD, it has a very good RWR and integrated with MARs. Now with a better pod, and better PGBs it is also becoming comparable in CAS and interdiction.

Important thing is that we have to get out of this habit of salivating for each new and shinny toy. F-16 when it started was just a day fighter and a light weight fighter with about same weight, payload, and thrust as JF-17. The earlier prototypes and A/Bs were actually better in VWR combat than latter heavier C/Ds. It took that a lot of time and effort to be where they are as excellent multi-role fighters but resulted in becoming heavier. JF-17 is a good platform to build upon both for AA and AG operations, it has shown all the promise to be an excellent work horse for us.