JF-17 Thunder Multirole Fighter [Thread 1]

[Munir]

Great news. I think that withing weeks the full production run of 16 FC1 will start. It was mentionned that is 04 will fly as expected then production will start. That sounds logical cause it takes 9-15 months to get one ready and we all know that first planes will felivered to Pak middle 2007...

 

[Zeeshan S.]

I am not impressed. They should have at least painted it nicely, since a lot of effort have been put into it and the plane was delayed! They should have plenty of time. However, i know they will paint it soon, but the first flight makes the long lasting impression.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/gnak_2/1020487_110741601.jpg

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http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/gnak_2/1020487_195915845.jpg

http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/2006-04-28/U1220P27T1D367015F3DT20060428145538.jpg

http://img.top81.cn/up/20064281617160.jpg

http://centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/U1220P27T1D367076F3DT20060428170855.jpg

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http://centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/200642818153227741.jpg

http://centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/20060428-jstyj42.jpg

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http://news.beelink.com.cn/20060428/sh20060428005.jpg

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2006-04/28/xinsrc_0020403281557218202446.jpg

http://top.jschina.com.cn/bbs/noncgi/usr/img/060428192315__1_2006.jpg

Does any one see the difference in the nose? I dont know but it tells me that PAF has some bigger plans for this fighter. If the diameter have increased it would decrease the hurdles with equipping a PESA or AESA radar.

 

[Munir]

They never paint a plane on his first x flights just because it is much easier to look for cracks. And it is easier to replace panels if they are broken... Nose size and bigger radar... You don't put a big mercedes engine in a small suzuki. Everything has its weight and capabilities relationship.. Let us even forget costs.

 

[Zeeshan S.]

I agree with the weight and bigger radar. AESA or PESA is much suited for J-10 like fighters, but a cheap down sized version can be develop through Chinese or even the western companies which are offering it, such as SELEX.

We definately need a good radar in the match up of good electronics which we have so far seen JF-17 has accomplished.

 

[Munir]

Then there you have a 12 million dollar plane with 3-5 million dollar radar. Or let we speak Indian terms... There you have the 35 year old Mig21 with two BVR that cost atleast three times as much as the complete plane.

Let it simplify it. Jf17 is a2a plane with links and pretty advanced ECM. It has good SA for the pilot. It has only two BVR's that can be launched easily within the radars range... Either one buys better plane or optimizes the costs...

 

[RAPTOR]

Jointly built JF-17's prototype tested

BEIJING (AFP) - China tested Friday a new prototype of the FC-1 Xiaolong combat jet jointly developed with Pakistan, and was gearing up for mass production of the plane, state media reported.
The fourth prototype of the Xiaolong aircraft, a multi-role fighter-bomber with a range of 1,200 kilometers (750 miles), successfully completed a 16-minute test flight from a base in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency said.
Production of different parts of the plane had already begun in anticipation that the plane would soon be mass produced, the report said.
“The success of the flight marks a significant improvement in the innovation capabilities of China’s aviation industry and makes possible mass production of the plane,” Xinhua said.
The aircraft, also known as the JF-17, is a cooperative project between the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group in the southwest province of Sichuan and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
While earlier prototypes have focused on operational flight capabilities, the fourth prototype included advanced avionics and weapons, it said.
The plane is capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and is a “third generation” fighter jet, one generation removed from the world’s most advanced fighters.
Earlier reports had said the fourth prototype would have its maiden flight in April 2005. No explanation was provided in the report for the apparent delay.

 

[melb4aust]

Jointly built JF-17's prototype tested

The plane is capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and is a “third generation” fighter jet, one generation removed from the world’s most advanced fighters.
.

Third Generation Plane . Some people here were claiming it as a 4rth gen plane.

 

[EagleEyes]

It is melb!

There is a difference how chinese name the generations compare to their western counterparts.

If the fighter is considered 4th generation by the west, it will be considered a 3rd generation fighter in China or in the chinese sources.

It is the way how it is.

 

[Bull]

Has only 3 prototypes been made till now?

Has ti flown with full weapons integration?

 

[RAPTOR]

Third Generation Plane . Some people here were claiming it as a 4rth gen plane.

BEIJING, April 28: China tested on Friday a new prototype of the FC-1 Xiaolong combat jet jointly developed with Pakistan, and was gearing up for mass production of the plane, state media reported.

The fourth prototype of the Xiaolong aircraft, a multi-role fighter-bomber with a range of 1,200 kilometers, successfully completed a 16-minute test flight from a base in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency said.

Production of different parts of the plane had already begun in anticipation that the plane would soon be mass produced, the report said.

“The success of the flight marks a significant improvement in the innovation capabilities of China’s aviation industry and makes possible mass production of the plane,” Xinhua said.

The aircraft, also known as the JF-17, is a cooperative project between the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group in the southwest province of Sichuan and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

While earlier prototypes have focused on operational flight capabilities, the fourth prototype included advanced avionics and weapons, it said.—AFP

 

[Munir]

Generations are not very clear. If we see the JF17 cockpit then it comes to same line as Block60 F16 and Gripen. It does have BVR as the AMRAAM. It is made of light composites but that will come. It has a radar that is comparable with apg68. It has nice ECM set. I doubt that it is far and behind of western planes that it has to compete. And the price and non political alliance makes it very nice generation.

 

[melb4aust]

It is melb!

There is a difference how chinese name the generations compare to their western counterparts.

If the fighter is considered 4th generation by the west, it will be considered a 3rd generation fighter in China or in the chinese sources.

It is the way how it is.

I was unaware of that, thanx for the info...

Bull have asked a question, has it flown with full weapon integration and avionics, i doubt that.

So far 4 prototypes have been built.

 

[Owais]

sources said that It has range of only 1200km?? its too low compared to 01 and 03.

 

[Neo]

ISLAMABAD: China is to start production of a small batch of JF-17 (Thunder) combat aircraft by June-July for their induction in the Pakistan Air Force in 2007, a PAF official said on Saturday.

"We hope to induct a first small batch of four aircraft in our air force in early 2007," the official said.

He said the fourth prototype of JF-17 jet successfully carried out its test flight in China Friday, paving the way for commencement of the aircraft's production by June-July this year.

Conceived in 1992, the JF-17 project was jointly undertaken and pursued by Pakistan and China until the first prototype carried out its maiden flight in September 2003.

Pakistan may also begin serial production of the JF-17s by June 2007 as part of its plans to replace ageing aircraft from the inventory of the PAF.

The serial production will start at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, which is responsible for overhauling all the combat aircraft of the US, Chinese and French origin, in PAF's inventory.

Known as the "third generation aircraft", JF-17s is basically a lightweight multi-role aircraft, which can fly at a speed of mach 1.6 with an operational ceiling of 55,000 feet.

It will be equipped with Beyond Visual Range capability, a state-of-the-art avionics package to provide an all weather navigation, attack and jamming capability to track and destroy multiple targets.

The jets will also have an integrated avionics and weapons delivery system based on an advanced data bus concept.

The PAF is presently flying US-origin F-16s and C-130 military transport planes, French-made Mirages, Indonesian transport CASA CN-235 planes and Chinese-made F-7s and F-7PGs, also known as "Fishbeds", ground attack fighter aircraft A-5s and Karakoram-8 jet trainers.

 

[EagleEyes]

sources said that It has range of only 1200km?? its too low compared to 01 and 03.

Pakistani Air Force is not planning to go to africa, so i think the range is fine considering the war tactic and the enemey is next door, for the longer missions and deep strike capability we have J-10 and F-16 which can perform very well.

What else would you want. A low cost aircraft with the finest avionics, and one of the meanest BVR capability? :flag: