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Examining the impact of JF-17 Block 3 , Capability Enhancements for PAF

AZADPAKISTAN2009

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Design work for the Block 3, JF17 release has now been completed as we have heard already and it is fair to assume that post design work the actual conceptual model would have already commenced. So now it is fair to say that JF17 Block 3 is with in grasp of Pakistan Airforce.

How will the new JF-17 Block 3 , fare vs existing Fighter Jet Solutions in place world wide? That is the main objective of the thread.

The Begining (Comparison with F16)
To various observers, people have always concluded the JF17 Thunder base model always looked inspired from F16 a fighter Jet which was mainly created to be a defender of Airspace. Since the JF17 looks considerably inspired from the F16 it is no suprise that many PAF pilots who have flown the F16 and who have also have flown the JF17 Thunder claim that there is no real difference between flying the capable JF17 Thunder platform or the much touted F16
96167739d42e0f77341d71fb40253f4b.jpg


The overall dimensions of the fighter Jet look tremendously similar while both planes have distinct differences which seperate the F16 VS JF17 , such as the inflow of air to the engines how it has been design in F16 and how the Pilot Cannopy is different for the F16 and JF17 , the key element or point from PAKISTAN airforce's prespective is we are getting the Performance from the platform which is "Made in Pakistan"




Is the Block Thunder more of F16 Block E/F or Is it a F18 Hornet:

ZTQvu.jpg



When we talk about Evolution of the Thunder platform Block 1 , Block 2, Block 3 the story looks remarkably similar to the evolution of the Hornet

main-qimg-24f6ba2e28d8d8db265195dd3f780cc5-c


Overtime the design has been enhanced or scalled up when necessary i.e bigger plane vs origional size in order to fit in newer weapon load or newer bigger radars. Or simply be able to store more fuel

Some people when they view the Hornet plane they see some similarly in it's front areas with JF17 Thudner

And it is expected that with arrival of JF17 Block 3 the performance figures of the Fighter Jet would also be comparable to much more expensive platform such as Hornet

So where would JF17 Block 3 be positioned in term of Performance and Reliability?


NARROWINGTHEGAP.png


Note: The real performace parameters of Block 3 , JF17 Thunder will come only after it starts to induct in Pakistan airforce however as I have listed in red above that these areas will improve and with next generation improvements we can certainly say that he fighter Jets are comparable to F18 or F16 clibre High performance platforms

We can certainly say 100% that with Block 3 JF17 the fighter Jet will certainly narrow the gap between other platforms in market provided by USA , and what we manufacture locally
as a comparable platform.

From Physical characteristics we can see while JF17 will not become a Truck Bomber like Hornet (F18 , however it will certainly improve it's own weapons load capacity) with generation Block 3.


With F16 VS JF17 debate , we can see clarly from physical numbers that the physical performance characteristics for Thudner will certainly become better then F16 platform


JF17 would only be able to surpass Super Hornet would be in term of weapon's load if it increases it's overall size / scale. However the Thunder does not need to be a bomber
The Thunder is a multi mission platform with Pakistani Airforce relying on strategic weapons vs shear weight of weapon load.


NARROWINGTHEGAPcost.png


So it is very Obvious that from a performance point of view and also from point of view of cost the JF17 Thunder offers all the PERKS of big brand name but it gives you better value for your money

i.e You can Purchase 3 Thunders for Price of 1 Hornet
While you can always dance with Top brands with Block 3 you will certainly have capability to own a Top Tier Defender of Airspace as is the case with JF17 THUNDER BLOCK3


PSYCHOLOGICALATTACK.png



Considering how the Hornet has evolved over time it is not completely out of question that Pakistan cann't evolve the Thunder to Block 4 i.e Super JF17 or JF18

JF18.png


Will the Thunder have potential to become a Super JF17 , i.e scaled up design with Twin engine that is up for debate and discussion

However one thing is certainly that Block 3 , will push the Pakistani Airforce one step further towards their modernization goals and efforts



It is very simple to make a indirect comparison once JF17 Block 3 is up to part with F16/F18
Here below you can see comparison of F16 with F22


A survey conducted , by pilots who have flown multiple platforms.
Since our JF17 Block 3 is in the ball park of F16 , we can see how it would compare to F35
With Block 3 (A hypothetical comparison)


nice.gif
 
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So what is JF-17 block 3 will be engine? And why you use F-35A chart comparison in a JF-17 block 3 news?
 
Well , it is well known that JF17 is close very close to F16 so we can make indirect comparison with even more latest platform

Block 3 certainly is a conclusive stamp of approval

However I see logic that Airforces like

  • Egypt
  • Turkey (Can use it as secondary platform)
  • Qatar
  • Oman
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Few South American countries
  • Central Asia
  • Some eastern European countries
  • South Africa

All of these could have 20-35 units of JF17 down the line from logical stand point of view
 
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I will say this much. It seems logically implausible that PAC will jump from Thunder to fifth generation in 5 - 10 years. To me, it feels like there is a part of the puzzle missing. That missing part is a totally indigenously designed 4.5++ LO jet which allows our engineers to get comfortable with stealth design, understand the intricacies of high precision engineering, and improve our capabilities in the areas of electronics, and engine manufacturing. I don't want the fifth gen fighter to be yet another Manufactured in Pakistan foreign design. That said, there are immediate defence needs that must be met as well. So the 4.5++ gen aircraft could be our stepping stone towards greater indigenization, while the fifth gen could be acquired from elsewhere.
 
Moving stright from 4.25 Generation platform to Stealth is a massive Jump , we still need to develop skills to take a existing design and modify it to enhance the platform and create next version of that design and better version.

When we first created the Thunder program there was ample discussion about customization of platform and easy integration with multiple options. So we still need to see various versions of
Radars/Avionics package being integrated as well

Alot has to be known about various improvments

a) Avionics Lab
b) Pilot Visors
c) Progress on the New Overhaul facilities
 
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Moving stright from 4.25 Generation platform to Stealth is a massive Jump , we still need to develop skills to take a existing design and modify it to enhance the platform and create next version of that design and better version.

When we first created the Thunder program there was ample discussion about customization of platform and easy integration with multiple options. So we still need to see various versions of
Radars/Avionics package being integrated as well

Alot has to be known about various improvments

a) Avionics Lab
b) Pilot Visors
c) Progress on the New Overhaul facilities
Jf17 is an evolving platform block 3 would would be a definite 4++ LCA comparable to f16 and gripen
I don't believe nor Pak has resources and time to develop another 4++ Gen MCA so paf would move towards 5g for which we.will take help from China and turkey tfx
 
Since some items are not confirmed (KLJ-7A or Vixen 1000 Aesa radar, Spanish EW or Chinese EW, RD33 engine or WS-XX engine), therefore actual assessment of aircraft performance can not be determined. However whatever comes out should be better than F-16 block 52.
 
Design work for the Block 3, JF17 release has now been completed as we have heard already and it is fair to assume that post design work the actual conceptual model would have already commenced. So now it is fair to say that JF17 Block 3 is with in grasp of Pakistan Airforce.

How will the new JF-17 Block 3 , fare vs existing Fighter Jet Solutions in place world wide? That is the main objective of the thread.

The Begining (Comparison with F16)
To various observers, people have always concluded the JF17 Thunder base model always looked inspired from F16 a fighter Jet which was mainly created to be a defender of Airspace. Since the JF17 looks considerably inspired from the F16 it is no suprise that many PAF pilots who have flown the F16 and who have also have flown the JF17 Thunder claim that there is no real difference between flying the capable JF17 Thunder platform or the much touted F16
96167739d42e0f77341d71fb40253f4b.jpg


The overall dimensions of the fighter Jet look tremendously similar while both planes have distinct differences which seperate the F16 VS JF17 , such as the inflow of air to the engines how it has been design in F16 and how the Pilot Cannopy is different for the F16 and JF17 , the key element or point from PAKISTAN airforce's prespective is we are getting the Performance from the platform which is "Made in Pakistan"




Is the Block Thunder more of F16 Block E/F or Is it a F18 Hornet:

ZTQvu.jpg



When we talk about Evolution of the Thunder platform Block 1 , Block 2, Block 3 the story looks remarkably similar to the evolution of the Hornet

main-qimg-24f6ba2e28d8d8db265195dd3f780cc5-c


Overtime the design has been enhanced or scalled up when necessary i.e bigger plane vs origional size in order to fit in newer weapon load or newer bigger radars. Or simply be able to store more fuel

Some people when they view the Hornet plane they see some similarly in it's front areas with JF17 Thudner

And it is expected that with arrival of JF17 Block 3 the performance figures of the Fighter Jet would also be comparable to much more expensive platform such as Hornet

So where would JF17 Block 3 be positioned in term of Performance and Reliability?


View attachment 448201

Note: The real performace parameters of Block 3 , JF17 Thunder will come only after it starts to induct in Pakistan airforce however as I have listed in red above that these areas will improve and with next generation improvements we can certainly say that he fighter Jets are comparable to F18 or F16 clibre High performance platforms

We can certainly say 100% that with Block 3 JF17 the fighter Jet will certainly narrow the gap between other platforms in market provided by USA , and what we manufacture locally
as a comparable platform.

From Physical characteristics we can see while JF17 will not become a Truck Bomber like Hornet (F18 , however it will certainly improve it's own weapons load capacity) with generation Block 3.


With F16 VS JF17 debate , we can see clarly from physical numbers that the physical performance characteristics for Thudner will certainly become better then F16 platform


JF17 would only be able to surpass Super Hornet would be in term of weapon's load if it increases it's overall size / scale. However the Thunder does not need to be a bomber
The Thunder is a multi mission platform with Pakistani Airforce relying on strategic weapons vs shear weight of weapon load.


View attachment 448205

So it is very Obvious that from a performance point of view and also from point of view of cost the JF17 Thunder offers all the PERKS of big brand name but it gives you better value for your money

i.e You can Purchase 3 Thunders for Price of 1 Hornet
While you can always dance with Top brands with Block 3 you will certainly have capability to own a Top Tier Defender of Airspace as is the case with JF17 THUNDER BLOCK3


View attachment 448208


Considering how the Hornet has evolved over time it is not completely out of question that Pakistan cann't evolve the Thunder to Block 4 i.e Super JF17 or JF18

View attachment 448209

Will the Thunder have potential to become a Super JF17 , i.e scaled up design with Twin engine that is up for debate and discussion

However one thing is certainly that Block 3 , will push the Pakistani Airforce one step further towards their modernization goals and efforts



It is very simple to make a indirect comparison once JF17 Block 3 is up to part with F16/F18
Here below you can see comparison of F16 with F22


A survey conducted , by pilots who have flown multiple platforms.
Since our JF17 Block 3 is in the ball park of F16 , we can see how it would compare to F35
With Block 3 (A hypothetical comparison)


View attachment 448216

Dear Azad

Grow up, and learn to take confidence on your own two legs.
Threads like these are little more than mental masturbation.
There are much more practical things that need be done.
Concentrate on those.
 
Relaying of PAF toooo much on JF17 is toooo dangerous... you guyz will disappoint the day this aircraft confront any of its claiming league.

This aircraft regularly faces others in its own league:

1. Turkish F-16s.
2. Saudi F-15s.
3. Chinese J-11s.

Had it been such a hopeless failure, PAF would have ditched it long ago. Our top commanders are not as foolish as some unknown person on the internet tries to make them look. Just the fact that 100 of them are in the service of a world class airforce such as PAF and have taken over patrolling the most important Eastern border is the best proof in the world.
 
Good point of view ,how ever an alternate hypothesis can be no need to redesign or alter current design ,increase the EW and Other goodies make all blocks equal in terms of radar and other operational capability , focus on 5th Gen since PAF or PAC evolution is

Overhaul - Rebuilt - Manufacturing - design - build .
 
AzadP buddy, I like you enough not to comment.

Please read between that line.

Good day all, Tay.
 
JF-17 block 3 won't be in production until 2019 or 2020. Let us wait and see what kind of bells and whistles it's going to have.
 
Well creating a Model is an achivement but creating a enhanced version from Origional Design is a different learning experience and skill which we have to learn. As unrealistic as it may sound to many folks.

I mean just look at the F15 and look at various configurations for this plane that USA has fielded over years

If the US engineering firms had said to themselves the origional F15 design was it , and it cannot be enhanced or changed then I am afraid innovation would not have happened.


Considernig the Approch of BLOCK 3 is almost near we need to perhaps at least say ok fine we have finally surpassed the F16 Block C/D 100% certainity


  • Getting New Engine
  • Getting New Avionics Package
  • Getting New Radar
  • HUDs

Certainly some big Ticket items in the package for me I can just look a the chart with numbers and say , ok fine with Block 1 , we knew we had to do some work , however with Block 3 now we can certainly say 100% we got a Dimond at our hand


I think we are looking at a fighter Jet in between F18 / F16 calibre quality with Block 3
As much as the haters would like to say "nay"
 
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