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

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

Any airframe design experts here on pdf? I know a lot of folks here have expertise in electronics and computing but i have questions pertaining to things like control surfaces, centre of gravity, chord, sweep etc

@JamD

 

[khanasifm]

 

[M.AsfandYar]

Any airframe design experts here on pdf? I know a lot of folks here have expertise in electronics and computing but i have questions pertaining to things like control surfaces, centre of gravity, chord, sweep etc

@JamD

 

[GriffinsRule]

There is a new article in AFM on JF-17. I am posting the extract that talks about Block III specifically. But looks like per the PAF, the first operational bird will be delivered to them in early 2022 after most of the testing and evaluation will be completed. The aircraft will be flying later this year, ones being produced at Kamra right now.

Also it has already been revealed that only two Block III test aircraft are flying. The 2nd example only started the test program in August 2020.


------
AFM May 2021
Earlier blocks

After delivery to Pakistan of an initial eight small-batch-production JF-17s, the 42 Block followed, with the final delivery coming in December 2014. Then came 50 Block IIs, with deliveries completed in December 2017, when the last 14 were handed over. An additional 12 Block IIs were built to bridge the gap in production caused by delays to the more sophisticated Block III.

Former PAF commander, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, told AFM in May 2017: “We don’t want to make any mistakes with the development of the Block III, so we instigated a one-and-a-half year delay to the programme. But a lot of Block III improvements have already been used to upgrade Block I/IIs.”

Block III

Having completed the production of the 26 JF-17Bs, all of PAC’s efforts are now being turned towards the newer, more capable Block III JF-17s. Air Marshal Noman, the PAC chairman, told AFM in January: “While final assembly of the dual seaters was ongoing at the Aircraft

Manufacturing Factory, the SPG (small part manufacturing) facility had commenced work on the components of the Block III.”

A decision about which AESA radar was to be acquired was delayed until late 2019 to study the performances of all three prospective candidates. The CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) KLJ-7A emerged the victor. “It’s one of several improvements over the Block I/IIs,” said Air Marshal Noman, who was previously the JF-17 chief project director (CPD). Block III enhancements should include upgraded avionics, better electronic warfare systems, an increased payload and more sophisticated weapons. It is set to become the ultimate JF-17 and, being fitted with an AESA radar, will have the capability to employ longer-range weapons and track multiple aircraft.

There is speculation whether the new PL-10 within visual range and PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile could be included in the aircraft’s future armoury, although no one at the PAF is prepared to confirm this one way or the other.

The first JF-17 Block III made its maiden flight at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation on December 15, 2019. A second aircraft followed it into test and evaluation during August last year according to Air Marshal Noman, who said. “We will deliver the first serial production Block III in early 2022, when most of the test and evaluation work will be complete.” He continued: “This means that the first Block III should fly with the new radar from PAC Kamra later this year. The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF). This facility has worked on the Italian FIAR (now Leonardo) Grifo radars [for both the Chengdu F-7P/PG and Dassault Mirage IIIs], as well as the original KLJ-7 in the JF-17 Block I/IIs, which makes it more than capable of working on the new one.”

Air Marshal Noman revealed that only 30 of the 50 Block IIIs have been contracted to date, but the rest may come later. With a KLJ- 7A production line being created at APF, there is every likelihood that the earlier Block I/II JF-17s could be upgraded too.

Other than the AESA radar, the main difference between the Block II and Block III JF-17s, according to the Chairman, is a helmet mounted display (HMD) that the PAF is working on with companies in China and Pakistan, a three axis fly-by-wire system, an enhanced EW management suite and a chinmounted hard point. The PAF has also acquired the Aselsan targeting pod – known simply as the Aselpod – with eight of them initially having been ordered for supporting integration and a follow-on purchase of 50 more, made up of three batches.

There is also speculation that the Klimov RD93 powerplant which has flown more than 30,000 hours with the PAF JF-17s will be replaced by a different Chinese engine. However, back in 2018, ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan – who retired in mid-March after three years as PAF commander – told AFM: “On the RD93 engine, we are satisfied after having flown 19,000 hours with no problems. We have had a smoke issue, but that has now been substantially reduced. We know how to manage the engine and have had no problems with spares. They come to us from Russia via China. And we are aiming to establish an engine maintenance plant in Pakistan, at the 102 Air Engineering Depot (AED), to overhaul critical parts of the engine too. We will be setting up a universal test bed, which will enhance our strengths on the aircraft.”

To date, 138 JF-17s have been delivered to the PAF, with the last 128 rolling off the PAC Kamra production line over the past 11 years. With all the operational F-7P squadrons now gone, the 50 or so Block IIIs could signal the beginning of the end for the F-7PGs, just 20 years after we witnessed their introduction into service in 2002.

Could we see more JF-17s? There are indications we will, but for now most senior officers are non-committal, knowing that perhaps a bigger fighter is needed to combat newer threats.

 

[Air Wolf]

Two important pieces of information,

The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF).

Could we see more JF-17s? There are indications we will, but for now most senior officers are non-committal, knowing that perhaps a bigger fighter is needed to combat newer threats.

 

[khanasifm]

There is a new article in AFM on JF-17. I am posting the extract that talks about Block III specifically. But looks like per the PAF, the first operational bird will be delivered to them in early 2022 after most of the testing and evaluation will be completed. The aircraft will be flying later this year, ones being produced at Kamra right now.

Also it has already been revealed that only two Block III test aircraft are flying. The 2nd example only started the test program in August 2020.


------
AFM May 2021
Earlier blocks

After delivery to Pakistan of an initial eight small-batch-production JF-17s, the 42 Block followed, with the final delivery coming in December 2014. Then came 50 Block IIs, with deliveries completed in December 2017, when the last 14 were handed over. An additional 12 Block IIs were built to bridge the gap in production caused by delays to the more sophisticated Block III.

Former PAF commander, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, told AFM in May 2017: “We don’t want to make any mistakes with the development of the Block III, so we instigated a one-and-a-half year delay to the programme. But a lot of Block III improvements have already been used to upgrade Block I/IIs.”

Block III

Having completed the production of the 26 JF-17Bs, all of PAC’s efforts are now being turned towards the newer, more capable Block III JF-17s. Air Marshal Noman, the PAC chairman, told AFM in January: “While final assembly of the dual seaters was ongoing at the Aircraft

Manufacturing Factory, the SPG (small part manufacturing) facility had commenced work on the components of the Block III.”

A decision about which AESA radar was to be acquired was delayed until late 2019 to study the performances of all three prospective candidates. The CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) KLJ-7A emerged the victor. “It’s one of several improvements over the Block I/IIs,” said Air Marshal Noman, who was previously the JF-17 chief project director (CPD). Block III enhancements should include upgraded avionics, better electronic warfare systems, an increased payload and more sophisticated weapons. It is set to become the ultimate JF-17 and, being fitted with an AESA radar, will have the capability to employ longer-range weapons and track multiple aircraft.

There is speculation whether the new PL-10 within visual range and PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile could be included in the aircraft’s future armoury, although no one at the PAF is prepared to confirm this one way or the other.

The first JF-17 Block III made its maiden flight at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation on December 15, 2019. A second aircraft followed it into test and evaluation during August last year according to Air Marshal Noman, who said. “We will deliver the first serial production Block III in early 2022, when most of the test and evaluation work will be complete.” He continued: “This means that the first Block III should fly with the new radar from PAC Kamra later this year. The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF). This facility has worked on the Italian FIAR (now Leonardo) Grifo radars [for both the Chengdu F-7P/PG and Dassault Mirage IIIs], as well as the original KLJ-7 in the JF-17 Block I/IIs, which makes it more than capable of working on the new one.”

Air Marshal Noman revealed that only 30 of the 50 Block IIIs have been contracted to date, but the rest may come later. With a KLJ- 7A production line being created at APF, there is every likelihood that the earlier Block I/II JF-17s could be upgraded too.

Other than the AESA radar, the main difference between the Block II and Block III JF-17s, according to the Chairman, is a helmet mounted display (HMD) that the PAF is working on with companies in China and Pakistan, a three axis fly-by-wire system, an enhanced EW management suite and a chinmounted hard point. The PAF has also acquired the Aselsan targeting pod – known simply as the Aselpod – with eight of them initially having been ordered for supporting integration and a follow-on purchase of 50 more, made up of three batches.

There is also speculation that the Klimov RD93 powerplant which has flown more than 30,000 hours with the PAF JF-17s will be replaced by a different Chinese engine. However, back in 2018, ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan – who retired in mid-March after three years as PAF commander – told AFM: “On the RD93 engine, we are satisfied after having flown 19,000 hours with no problems. We have had a smoke issue, but that has now been substantially reduced. We know how to manage the engine and have had no problems with spares. They come to us from Russia via China. And we are aiming to establish an engine maintenance plant in Pakistan, at the 102 Air Engineering Depot (AED), to overhaul critical parts of the engine too. We will be setting up a universal test bed, which will enhance our strengths on the aircraft.”

To date, 138 JF-17s have been delivered to the PAF, with the last 128 rolling off the PAC Kamra production line over the past 11 years. With all the operational F-7P squadrons now gone, the 50 or so Block IIIs could signal the beginning of the end for the F-7PGs, just 20 years after we witnessed their introduction into service in 2002.

Could we see more JF-17s? There are indications we will, but for now most senior officers are non-committal, knowing that perhaps a bigger fighter is needed to combat newer threats.

I doubt paf has any other option besides jf also other fight will be limited number like current mirage ROSE 2/3 meant to go across border long range strike but other fighter is not happening before all Jf are delivered.

With 350 or so fighters in inventory minus 75 f-16 rest are mirages f-7pg and jf so mirage 6/7 sqn plus 3 pg sqn that 9/10 sqdn or another 160/180 aircraft

Paf has no other options based on price and performance you cannot find a 4gen in 25/30 million a piece to replace all 160/180 aircraft

My two cents

 

[JamD]

Any airframe design experts here on pdf? I know a lot of folks here have expertise in electronics and computing but i have questions pertaining to things like control surfaces, centre of gravity, chord, sweep etc

Not an expert, not even my field anymore but I can probably answer most questions that you may have. However, JF-17 Block-3 is probably not the right place for this, so please ask a question in an appropriate thread and I will attempt to answer if I can. Thanks.

There is a new article in AFM on JF-17. I am posting the extract that talks about Block III specifically. But looks like per the PAF, the first operational bird will be delivered to them in early 2022 after most of the testing and evaluation will be completed. The aircraft will be flying later this year, ones being produced at Kamra right now.

Also it has already been revealed that only two Block III test aircraft are flying. The 2nd example only started the test program in August 2020.


------
AFM May 2021
Earlier blocks

After delivery to Pakistan of an initial eight small-batch-production JF-17s, the 42 Block followed, with the final delivery coming in December 2014. Then came 50 Block IIs, with deliveries completed in December 2017, when the last 14 were handed over. An additional 12 Block IIs were built to bridge the gap in production caused by delays to the more sophisticated Block III.

Former PAF commander, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, told AFM in May 2017: “We don’t want to make any mistakes with the development of the Block III, so we instigated a one-and-a-half year delay to the programme. But a lot of Block III improvements have already been used to upgrade Block I/IIs.”

Block III

Having completed the production of the 26 JF-17Bs, all of PAC’s efforts are now being turned towards the newer, more capable Block III JF-17s. Air Marshal Noman, the PAC chairman, told AFM in January: “While final assembly of the dual seaters was ongoing at the Aircraft

Manufacturing Factory, the SPG (small part manufacturing) facility had commenced work on the components of the Block III.”

A decision about which AESA radar was to be acquired was delayed until late 2019 to study the performances of all three prospective candidates. The CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) KLJ-7A emerged the victor. “It’s one of several improvements over the Block I/IIs,” said Air Marshal Noman, who was previously the JF-17 chief project director (CPD). Block III enhancements should include upgraded avionics, better electronic warfare systems, an increased payload and more sophisticated weapons. It is set to become the ultimate JF-17 and, being fitted with an AESA radar, will have the capability to employ longer-range weapons and track multiple aircraft.

There is speculation whether the new PL-10 within visual range and PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile could be included in the aircraft’s future armoury, although no one at the PAF is prepared to confirm this one way or the other.

The first JF-17 Block III made its maiden flight at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation on December 15, 2019. A second aircraft followed it into test and evaluation during August last year according to Air Marshal Noman, who said. “We will deliver the first serial production Block III in early 2022, when most of the test and evaluation work will be complete.” He continued: “This means that the first Block III should fly with the new radar from PAC Kamra later this year. The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF). This facility has worked on the Italian FIAR (now Leonardo) Grifo radars [for both the Chengdu F-7P/PG and Dassault Mirage IIIs], as well as the original KLJ-7 in the JF-17 Block I/IIs, which makes it more than capable of working on the new one.”

Air Marshal Noman revealed that only 30 of the 50 Block IIIs have been contracted to date, but the rest may come later. With a KLJ- 7A production line being created at APF, there is every likelihood that the earlier Block I/II JF-17s could be upgraded too.

Other than the AESA radar, the main difference between the Block II and Block III JF-17s, according to the Chairman, is a helmet mounted display (HMD) that the PAF is working on with companies in China and Pakistan, a three axis fly-by-wire system, an enhanced EW management suite and a chinmounted hard point. The PAF has also acquired the Aselsan targeting pod – known simply as the Aselpod – with eight of them initially having been ordered for supporting integration and a follow-on purchase of 50 more, made up of three batches.

There is also speculation that the Klimov RD93 powerplant which has flown more than 30,000 hours with the PAF JF-17s will be replaced by a different Chinese engine. However, back in 2018, ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan – who retired in mid-March after three years as PAF commander – told AFM: “On the RD93 engine, we are satisfied after having flown 19,000 hours with no problems. We have had a smoke issue, but that has now been substantially reduced. We know how to manage the engine and have had no problems with spares. They come to us from Russia via China. And we are aiming to establish an engine maintenance plant in Pakistan, at the 102 Air Engineering Depot (AED), to overhaul critical parts of the engine too. We will be setting up a universal test bed, which will enhance our strengths on the aircraft.”

To date, 138 JF-17s have been delivered to the PAF, with the last 128 rolling off the PAC Kamra production line over the past 11 years. With all the operational F-7P squadrons now gone, the 50 or so Block IIIs could signal the beginning of the end for the F-7PGs, just 20 years after we witnessed their introduction into service in 2002.

Could we see more JF-17s? There are indications we will, but for now most senior officers are non-committal, knowing that perhaps a bigger fighter is needed to combat newer threats.

The order of 30 block 3 really seems like a financial crunch decision to me.

Many possibilities:
1. PAF expects the economy to remain crap for a long time.
2. PAF expects to spend money converting earlier blocks to something comparable to Blk3
3. PAF expects to spend money on an additional platform
4. PAF expects to spend money on Azm
5. Some combination of 1-4.

 

[Jinn Baba]

The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF).

With a KLJ- 7A production line being created at APF, there is every likelihood that the earlier Block I/II JF-17s could be upgraded too.

This is new (at least to me). Excellent news!

We have had a smoke issue, but that has now been substantially reduced. We know how to manage the engine and have had no problems with spares. They come to us from Russia via China. And we are aiming to establish an engine maintenance plant in Pakistan, at the 102 Air Engineering Depot (AED), to overhaul critical parts of the engine too. We will be setting up a universal test bed, which will enhance our strengths on the aircraft.”

So PAF too saw a smoke issue. I remember many members here debating this.

 

[Scorpiooo]

PAF need solid numbers of additional RD93 engines, if any case on situation supply line from Russian stopped, PAF should able fly jets for few years at leas

Until some alternative from china can be replaced ..worst seanrio planning

 

[blinder]

To date, 138 JF-17s have been delivered to the PAF, with the last 128 rolling off the PAC Kamra production line over the past 11 years. With all the operational F-7P squadrons now gone, the 50 or so Block IIIs could signal the beginning of the end for the F-7PGs, just 20 years after we witnessed their introduction into service in 2002.

8 JF-17 (brought to Block I)
42 JF-17 Block I
59 JF-17 Block II
26 JF-17B Block II
=
134 total
Plus one prototype PT-4 but that is PAC operated I think, not used operationally by PAF.
Three were diverted to Nigeria (Block II #60 to #62).

 

[Mrc]

Not an expert, not even my field anymore but I can probably answer most questions that you may have. However, JF-17 Block-3 is probably not the right place for this, so please ask a question in an appropriate thread and I will attempt to answer if I can. Thanks.



The order of 30 block 3 really seems like a financial crunch decision to me.

Many possibilities:
1. PAF expects the economy to remain crap for a long time.
2. PAF expects to spend money converting earlier blocks to something comparable to Blk3
3. PAF expects to spend money on an additional platform
4. PAF expects to spend money on Azm
5. Some combination of 1-4.

Or.no. 5 additional changes are anticipated in coming 2.years that are not disclosed yet

 

[denel]

There is a new article in AFM on JF-17. I am posting the extract that talks about Block III specifically. But looks like per the PAF, the first operational bird will be delivered to them in early 2022 after most of the testing and evaluation will be completed. The aircraft will be flying later this year, ones being produced at Kamra right now.

Also it has already been revealed that only two Block III test aircraft are flying. The 2nd example only started the test program in August 2020.


------
AFM May 2021
Earlier blocks

After delivery to Pakistan of an initial eight small-batch-production JF-17s, the 42 Block followed, with the final delivery coming in December 2014. Then came 50 Block IIs, with deliveries completed in December 2017, when the last 14 were handed over. An additional 12 Block IIs were built to bridge the gap in production caused by delays to the more sophisticated Block III.

Former PAF commander, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, told AFM in May 2017: “We don’t want to make any mistakes with the development of the Block III, so we instigated a one-and-a-half year delay to the programme. But a lot of Block III improvements have already been used to upgrade Block I/IIs.”

Block III

Having completed the production of the 26 JF-17Bs, all of PAC’s efforts are now being turned towards the newer, more capable Block III JF-17s. Air Marshal Noman, the PAC chairman, told AFM in January: “While final assembly of the dual seaters was ongoing at the Aircraft

Manufacturing Factory, the SPG (small part manufacturing) facility had commenced work on the components of the Block III.”

A decision about which AESA radar was to be acquired was delayed until late 2019 to study the performances of all three prospective candidates. The CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) KLJ-7A emerged the victor. “It’s one of several improvements over the Block I/IIs,” said Air Marshal Noman, who was previously the JF-17 chief project director (CPD). Block III enhancements should include upgraded avionics, better electronic warfare systems, an increased payload and more sophisticated weapons. It is set to become the ultimate JF-17 and, being fitted with an AESA radar, will have the capability to employ longer-range weapons and track multiple aircraft.

There is speculation whether the new PL-10 within visual range and PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile could be included in the aircraft’s future armoury, although no one at the PAF is prepared to confirm this one way or the other.

The first JF-17 Block III made its maiden flight at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation on December 15, 2019. A second aircraft followed it into test and evaluation during August last year according to Air Marshal Noman, who said. “We will deliver the first serial production Block III in early 2022, when most of the test and evaluation work will be complete.” He continued: “This means that the first Block III should fly with the new radar from PAC Kamra later this year. The radar is being built under license at our avionics production factory (APF). This facility has worked on the Italian FIAR (now Leonardo) Grifo radars [for both the Chengdu F-7P/PG and Dassault Mirage IIIs], as well as the original KLJ-7 in the JF-17 Block I/IIs, which makes it more than capable of working on the new one.”

Air Marshal Noman revealed that only 30 of the 50 Block IIIs have been contracted to date, but the rest may come later. With a KLJ- 7A production line being created at APF, there is every likelihood that the earlier Block I/II JF-17s could be upgraded too.

Other than the AESA radar, the main difference between the Block II and Block III JF-17s, according to the Chairman, is a helmet mounted display (HMD) that the PAF is working on with companies in China and Pakistan, a three axis fly-by-wire system, an enhanced EW management suite and a chinmounted hard point. The PAF has also acquired the Aselsan targeting pod – known simply as the Aselpod – with eight of them initially having been ordered for supporting integration and a follow-on purchase of 50 more, made up of three batches.

There is also speculation that the Klimov RD93 powerplant which has flown more than 30,000 hours with the PAF JF-17s will be replaced by a different Chinese engine. However, back in 2018, ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan – who retired in mid-March after three years as PAF commander – told AFM: “On the RD93 engine, we are satisfied after having flown 19,000 hours with no problems. We have had a smoke issue, but that has now been substantially reduced. We know how to manage the engine and have had no problems with spares. They come to us from Russia via China. And we are aiming to establish an engine maintenance plant in Pakistan, at the 102 Air Engineering Depot (AED), to overhaul critical parts of the engine too. We will be setting up a universal test bed, which will enhance our strengths on the aircraft.”

To date, 138 JF-17s have been delivered to the PAF, with the last 128 rolling off the PAC Kamra production line over the past 11 years. With all the operational F-7P squadrons now gone, the 50 or so Block IIIs could signal the beginning of the end for the F-7PGs, just 20 years after we witnessed their introduction into service in 2002.

Could we see more JF-17s? There are indications we will, but for now most senior officers are non-committal, knowing that perhaps a bigger fighter is needed to combat newer threats.

It does not mentioned HMD/S - S is missing. Indicative HOBS/Sights not being delivered.

 

[Shan234]

JF-17 fighter jet gets J-20’s combat missile: reports - Global Times

www.globaltimes.cn

 

[GriffinsRule]

It does not mentioned HMD/S - S is missing. Indicative HOBS/Sights not being delivered.

Could see that in the next upgrade down the line

 

[Bilal.]

Or.no. 5 additional changes are anticipated in coming 2.years that are not disclosed yet

Bhai torture na karo... kuchh batao