JF-17 Block-3 -- Updates, News & Discussion

[Dazzler]

Could it be a production aircraft? There is no 300X marking of prototypes on it?

Possibly a batch production aircraft. No 3XXX visible unlike the two prototypes.

Definitely higher ground clearance, check out the clearance of the wing tanks, normally they are very close to the ground. This confirms strike role with Ra'ad.

@messiach and @Dazzler please confirm

Landing gears look longer, vertical tail base looks thicker as it might have ew equipment.

 

[Marker]

This is what was originally announced:

Year​	Block​	Type​	Qty​	Block​	Type​	Qty​
2019​	2​	Bravo​	8​	​	​	​
2020​	2​	Bravo​	14​	3​	Alpha​	2​
2021​	2​	Bravo​	4​	3​	Alpha​	12​
2022​	​	​	​	3​	Alpha​	12​
2023​	​	​	​	3​	Alpha​	12​
2024​	​	​	​	3​	Alpha​	12​

This has also happened:

Day​	Date​	Serial No.​	Block​	Type​	Status​
Tuesday​	15 September 2020​	17-241​	2​	Alpha​	Crashed​
Friday​	6 August 2021​	Unknown​	2​	Bravo​	Crashed​

Two JF-17 Thunders from Block-2 crashed within 2-years. Rushed production?

Though Block 3 is not "visible" but its production is in progress and not behind schedule.
2 Block 3s were produced in China in 2020 and remaining 12 are under production.

However, when these aircraft will be handed to the operational squadron is a million dollar question.

Engine, radar, ew and weapon integration etc are unknown factors and may take time.

Apparent reason - PAF is configuring the aircraft according to their requirements. Multiple trials with various options must be in progress.

 

[Dazzler]

Interesting...

Compare the fuel tank clearance relative from the ground.

Blk 2 is yet to touch down. Notice fuel tank clearance, height of landing gear struts.

Blk 3 has just touched down, yet the landing gear shows higher ground clearance. Landing gear struts look longer.

 

[Windjammer]

Interesting...

Compare the fuel tank clearance relative from the ground.

Blk 2 is yet to touch down. Notice fuel tank clearance, height of landing gear struts.
View attachment 771793

Blk 3 has just touched down, yet the landing gear shows higher ground clearance. Landing gear struts look longer.

View attachment 771794

Dear lord, the Block-2 has just taken off.....just look at the heat being generated in the back ground.

 

[Marker]

Just because it's a bird strike it doesn't mean they would've ignored it and it's business as usual. They must've at least stopped, reviewed and checked everything, improve if/where possible and restart the production, but decided to double down to achieve the targets in reaction to 26-27 February 2019.

Then another one crashes a year later which may have got them thinking, can't be losing aircraft like this just to bird strikes. Just my humble assumption.

Aircraft accident investigation is carried by PAF BOI which comprises of number of highly qualified and experienced professionals - pilots, engineers, doctors, psychologists, weather specialists, air traffic specialists and many more.

All parts scattered around the crashed sight are photographed and location map is prepared. Statements from local witnesses noted. All parts are collected and reassembled, individually studied and technically analysed. Concerned pilots, their superiors and engineers, technicians operational, technical manuals and technical documentation are scrutinised in detail.

In short a thorough investigation is being carried out.

The final report contains not only the findings but also the recommendations for both operational and engineering directorates. These recommendations are being taken very seriously for further necessary preventive actions at various level - operational, engineering admin and technical support.

 

[Dazzler]

Dear lord, the Block-2 has just taken off.....just look at the heat being generated in the back ground.

 

[Windjammer]

Here's one landing with leading edge flaps pointing downwards.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

how exactly do you propose we change or modify the JF-17 Thunder to make bird strikes less likely?

I'm not proposing anything but I am sure expensive fighter planes don't fly around at the mercy of birds.

 

[Dazzler]

This one is surely better than pushto movies.. @Imran Khan

That hud is huge

do I see a different helmet?

landing gear is surely longer

under inlet mouth there is an attachment

no pitot tubes

 

[Marker]

how exactly do you propose we change or modify the JF-17 Thunder to make bird strikes less likely?

Keep the vicinity of airfield clean.

 

[Dazzler]

 

[Imran Khan]

View attachment 771811
View attachment 771810

where are those sensors on tail we see last time

 

[Windjammer]

View attachment 771811
View attachment 771810

Not sure if it's the angle but the intake on B-3 looks narrower.

 

[Dazzler]

where are those sensors on tail we see last time

IRMAWS and EW housings are there.

 

[Imran Khan]

IRMAWS and EW housings are there.

this TOOTI look ugly to me sir