JF-17 Thunder Multirole Fighter [Thread 1]

[RAPTOR]

New Chinese F-16/MiG-29 Competitor

May 1, 2006: On April 29, 2006, China had the first test flight of its FC-4 jet fighter. The FC4 is an advanced model of the FC1, which is already being built in cooperation with Pakistan. The 13 ton FC1 is also known as the JF17, and is meant to be a low cost ($20 million) alternative to the American F16. The JF17 is considered the equal to earlier versions of the F16, but only 80 percent as effective as more recent F16 models. The JF17 uses the same Russian engine, the RD-93, that is used in the MiG29. The JF17 design is based on a cancelled Russian project, the MiG33. Most of the JF17 electronics are Western, with Italian firms being major suppliers. The JF17 can carry 3.6 tons of weapons and use radar guided and heat seeking missiles. It has max speed of Mach 1.6, an operating range of 1,300 kilometers and a max altitude of 55,000 feet.

The JF17 first flew in 2003, and Pakistani test pilots are now participating in further flight tests. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2006, but this may be delayed by problems a new engine China is trying to build for the JF-17. Pakistan plans on buying 150 of the JF17s. The Chinese air force does not want to buy the JF17s because so much of the production is outside the country (in Pakistan).

The FC4, with engine, airframe and electronics improvements, is expected to build on the success of the FC1/JF17. The Chinese air force is supposed to get 200 FC4s, if the aircraft gets through development successfully. China is using aircraft like the FC1 to build a warplane development capability. Mistakes are made, but key skills are gained.

 

[RAPTOR]

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Updated: 2006-04-29 07:02[/FONT]
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A Xiaolong/FC-4 fighter jet ready to take a test flight on Friday in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
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[RAPTOR]

Fighter jet takes off to new heightsThe country's aviation industry soared to new heights on Friday, when it successfully tested an upgraded version of a new generation fighter in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A Xiaolong/FC-4 fighter jet ready to take a test flight on Friday in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.​

The Xiaolong/FC-4 ("Fierce Dragon) plane flew for 16 minutes over the provincial capital of Chengdu, where its developer, the Chengdu Aircraft Group Corp under the China Aviation Industry Corp I (AVIC I), is based.

The success of the flight demonstrated improvement in the innovative capacities of China's aviation industry. It brought its development of new generation fighters to the world's advanced levels, according to a company statement.
The test flight set the stage for mass production of the multiple-purpose light aircraft, according to company sources.
The model's earliest version FC-1 made its maiden flight in 2003. An improved version FC-3 took off for a seven-minute flight the following year.
Compared with previous designs, the latest model has been dramatically improved in overall quality and combat capacity, the AVIC I sources said. It is suitable for the 21st-century combat environment, they said.
The plane is equipped with the country's most advanced electronics and weapons systems and the cost-effective fighter can satisfy domestic and international market demands, the company added. In the 1980s China said it would develop a new generation of fighter aircraft. Its development programme officially kicked off in 1999, led by AVIC I.

http://2003.dl.gov.cn/i18n/en/affair/news/16287_50936.jsp

 

[Munir]

The plane flew today officially and the production is now started (first batch of 16). Production in Pakistan start (after these 16 planes are completed in Chengdu) around june 2007.

About being 80% capable as... All those text are outdated. I agree that F16 is matured design and every new version gets new technology. But what price? We all know block 60 costs a lot. One can buy 4-5 times more JF17 for the same. But looking at the market the F16 is expensive and overrated. JF17 is cheap BVR with lots of plug and play options. It will have 3 MFD and no alalog systems. That alone is above block 42... And JF17 is deisgned for a2a and not a2g... Hence low capacity of ordnance. I don't see DSI on F16. And there are more differences. One should move on and look at it as different marketshare. Compare it with F7, LCA which it will replace.

 

[RAPTOR]

The plane flew today officially and the production is now started (first batch of 16). Production in Pakistan start (after these 16 planes are completed in Chengdu) around june 2007.

About being 80% capable as... All those text are outdated. I agree that F16 is matured design and every new version gets new technology. But what price? We all know block 60 costs a lot. One can buy 4-5 times more JF17 for the same. But looking at the market the F16 is expensive and overrated. JF17 is cheap BVR with lots of plug and play options. It will have 3 MFD and no alalog systems. That alone is above block 42... And JF17 is deisgned for a2a and not a2g... Hence low capacity of ordnance. I don't see DSI on F16. And there are more differences. One should move on and look at it as different marketshare. Compare it with F7, LCA which it will replace.

Any news on the British AESA radar that was planned for the JF-17?

 

[Munir]

I have no idea. The radar will definately not be part of the first 16 and I doubt that it would be part of any JF17. Costs and benefits are totaly wrong. JF17 is lightweight and BVR capable. It has netcentric links and pilot machine interface. Adding an expensive radar will it make dependent on UK (and UK is even more pro India then USA) and it would lead to less investment in local or chinese parts. I am strongly against any western part without TOT or big price.

 

[melb4aust]

Atlast!!! they've done it..... i can't actually wait:banana2: to see em flying in PAK airspace.

Does any1 have any info about the avionics they are gonna put on like 'RADAR' and such stuff. If they are using RD-93 engine then it would have TVC as well.

And I also could'nt understand the article above posted by "RAPTOR" suggesting, chinese airforce does'nt wanna buy JF-17 because of its outside production in pakistan, while on the other hand saying that they are gonna get 200 FC-4 fighters. Could ya clear that up too....

 

[RAPTOR]

Pictures: China's Chengdu FC-1 fighter performs first flight with JSF-style engine inlets
By Graham Warwick in London

Changes to China’s Chengdu FC-1 lightweight fighter are clearly visible in recently released photographs (pictured below) of the redesigned fourth prototype’s first flight on 28 April. Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)-style “diverterless” engine inlets lead the design revisions.

In addition to redesigned intakes, the fourth prototype has larger wing leading-edge root extensions, longer ventral strakes either side of the aft fuselage, and a taller, less swept fin. The design changes were made after problems surfaced during testing of the first three prototypes. The FC-1 first flew in August 2003.

© Xinhua Photo​

The redesigned inlets closely resemble those of the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF. In place of the conventional ramp of the original two-dimensional intake, the new design features a “hump” to aerodynamically divert turbulent boundary-layer airflow away from the engine inlet. Lockheed has said its design is more stealthy than conventional inlets.

Announcing the fourth prototype’s 16min first flight from Wenjiang airport in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Chinese news agency Xinhua said the Xiaolong 04 fighter aircraft has improved electronics and weapon systems. The fighter is powered by a Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan – the engine used in the RSK MiG Russian MiG-29.

Pakistan plans to buy up to 150 FC-1s, which it will operate as the JF-17 Thunder. Islamabad has ordered an initial 16 fighters, assembly of which will be split between Chengdu Aircraft and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. These are to be followed by up to 134 locally assembled aircraft.

 

[Nasir]

Pakistan-China joint venture JF-Thunder aircraft takes off Today

By 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

CHENGDU (China): A prototyped fighter aircraft JF-Thunder-17 (FC-4) a joint venture of Pakistan and China is scheduled to take off from People's Liberation Army Air Force airbase here Wednesday.

It will be a maiden operational flight, enabling the two countries to formally start its production. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed who has arrived here along with other members of his delegation will witness the flight operation.

In the beginning, the aircraft equipped with advanced electronics and weapon systems will be manufactured at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) in China's Sichuan province. Later, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra will start production of the aircraft in June 2007, said an official of the Pakistan Air Force.

He said, the first formal flight ceremony of the fighter aircraft will be a historic event and it is to go a long way in developing Pakistan's indigenous capability to meet the requirements of the armed forces and achieving the goal of self-reliance.

While earlier prototypes FC-1, FC-2 and FC-3 have focused on operational flight capabilities, the FC-4 prototype is expected to test the aircraft's avionics and weapons integration.

Incorporating advanced design and state-of-the-art technology, the aircraft will envisage comprehensive combat capability of a third generation fighter.

Experts say, with advanced design and manufacturing technology, the export-oriented fighter plane is small, low in cost and suitable for modern warfare and the demands of military fighters.

The development program for the new-generation fighter aircraft was officially launched in 1999, led by the CAIC-I, China's leading operator in the aerospace industry.

PAF sources said that they were expecting the delivery of its first multi-role combat aircraft in early 2007. The Air Force plans to induct more than 100 JF-17 Thunder aircraft to replace a fleet of ageing Mirage fighters.

It may be mentioned here that President Pervez Musharraf during his State visit to China last February availed the opportunity to visit Chengdu Aircraft factory to inspect design and research institutes of the facility and its avionics laboratory. He also witnessed the assembly line of the fighter aircraft and inspected two prototypes at the Flight Test Station.●

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2006/05/10/top3.htm

 

[Bull]

Pakistan-China joint venture JF-Thunder aircraft takes off Today

lets wait and watch.

A PR friendly China wont keep mum about such a big success,they would ( what i believe) wud have allowed some "allowed leaks" to the press about the plane.

 

[tahirkhely]

Whats the latest update about it

 

[Neo]

’4th Prototype JF-17 ’Thunder’ aircraft successfully completed inaugural flight’



Thursday May 11, 2006 (0152 PST)

KAMRA: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed flashes victory signs sitting in the cockpit of Prototype-4 of JF-17 aircraft.



ISLAMABAD: The fourth Prototype (PT-4) of JF-17 ’Thunder’ aircraft, jointly produced by China and Pakistan, on Wednesday successfully completed its inaugural flight in Chengdu, China.


Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed was the chief guest on the occasion.
Other members of the CAS high profile delegation included Air Marshal Rahat Hussain Khan CPD JF-17 and various high ranking officials of PAF and the MOD. The Chinese side was represented by Vice ministers of CONSTING, Presidents of Aviation Industries Corporation-1 (AVIC-1), CATIC, Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI), Chengdu Aircraft manufacturing Center (CAC) and other high ranking officials.

Speaking at the occasion, the Air Chief congratulated all members of Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and PAF contingent deployed at milestones achieved for the JF-17 programme so far. He termed that the success of the joint programme as one of the most successful programmes in the recent aviation history.
PT-4 of JF-17 is exclusively developed for avionics and weapons qualification flight testing phase. The advanced 4th generation avionics package of JF-17 aircraft integrates data from multiple sensors using weapons and mission computers and has the ability to evade and degrade the enemy’s sensors using onboard advanced electronic warfare suite.

It would greatly enhance the lethality and survivability of JF-17 aircraft. The advanced man-machine interface helps in presenting the sensors information in an integrated and effective manner, reducing the pilots work load and improving the combat efficiency.

The aircraft is powered by a reliable RD-93 engine, which is equipped with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) system. High trust to weight ratio and hybrid flight control provide enhance agility and maneuverability in all flight regimes.

JF-17 has a strong night and day surface attack capability including the delivery of PGMs. Its air to air capability includes all aspect Short Range as well as Beyond Visual Rang (BVR) missiles by utilizing Multimode Pulse Doppler Radar.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force said, "the Avionics and weapon qualification flight testing phase on PT-4 would optimize its mission capability aspects in different flight regimes and condition. The finalization of this phase will herald a new era of serial production of aircraft in China and Pakistan." The first batch of operation JF-17 aircraft would arrive in Pakistan in early 2007 while serial production in Pakistan at PAC, Kamra would start in 2008.

 

[air marshal]

How many JF-17 Prototypes are there supposed to be?

 

[Sid]

To my knowledge; FIVE.

 

[master_fx]

How many JF-17 Prototypes are there supposed to be?

around 4~5