Jf Thunder
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dude, why are many pics of J 7? and what the hell is wrong with the last pic? i hate it
JF-17's various initial design phases & design resemblances
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Manticore
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It's JF-17's evolution
Manticore
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7MF
Chengdu F-7MF/J-7FS
While in Western countries is almost inconceivable that a company has invested in the development of two aircraft in exactly the same category for exactly the same purpose, in China it is clearly possible. At the end of the millennium was put in flight one versi'on radically modernized F-7MG, called J-7FS. This aircraft should represent the final development stage of the series J-7 and had previst large exports to the poorest countries. Chengdu The company created a direct competitor to its own project, FC-1, with the same objectives. The June 8, 1998 maiden flight demonstrator concept J-7F, equipped with a powerful radar in the nose covered by a conical radome, which was located under the air intake in a similar configuration to that of the Vought F Crusader -8.
Originally, the demonstrator flew F-enrollment 7MF nro 139 to his conversion, from which he was installed a new double delta wing (or double angle arrow) as the F-7MG. The new aircraft also was painted with a new standard esquemno composed of stripes in shades of olive green and yellow sand. In the upper vertical empennage angular projection was added.
The final configuration of the F-7MF be exhibited publicly for the first time in the exhibition of Zai 2000. The F-7MF showed definitive ventral an air intake similar to that used in the J-10 from the company. Even the sides of the cabin fixed canard pequeñasplanos added. Because of all this we had to redesign the whole landing gear leg forward and your accommodation.
From its predecessor, the F-7MF retained the WP-13F engine, the rear of the wing and tail surfaces. The electronic equipment came from a variety of sources, such as Russia, Israel, Europe and China itself, connected via the MIL-STD-1553.
The configuration tests exceeded the wind tunnel and flight of the prototype was planned for around 2002. The cost of fly-away production was estimated at U.S. $ 7 to 8,000,000 the price level of 2000. But after Pakistan agreed to pay half the cost of developing the FC-1 and with the introduction into service of the J-10A significant in Chinese aviation, decreased expectations about the F-7MF and this eventually disappeared or was canceled. J-7FS with the original delta wing and the double delta
Beijing Super Wing CY-1 and FTC-16
Another interesting adaptation of the J-7 was the CY-1, designed by the airline superwing Beijing Technology Research Institute Co., founded in China sometime in around 1997. Unlike state-owned aviation giants such as Chengdu, the new company specializes in modifications to the structures inherited from the oldest light fighters, using innovative ideas that can be used in the new millennium. The concept was centered mainly in countries that need new fighter and fighter jets, but could not afford even the cheapest modern fighters such as the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. In most cases, operators would former MiG-19 and MiG-21.
The multipurpose single-seat fighter CY-1 was based on J-7/MiG-21 Chengdu, but with "duck tail" and an unusual longitudinal dimensional area on the sides of the body (highlighted in blue in the photos of the model) that according to statements by the manufacturer issues like maneuverability aircraft equipped with costly advanced FBW system. In short, the CY-1 was a MiG-21 prepared for the installation of equipment provided modernosy greater maneuverability obtained by adding new nonstandard maneuvering surfaces.
The aircraft was developed in 1998 and the general configuration was tested by radio-controlled models. Beijing superwing The company had to compete economically and politically against aircraft more evolved in its development, such as the FC-1 and F-7MF in the same category, so it was decided to participate in Zhuhai Air Show 2002 and submit this proposal to the public in an effort to find the right sponsors. Although trust company officials claimed that the Chinese armed forces have expressed a strong interest in the concept, the reality was much less poetic. Many rightly wondered if the plane really did without FBW system. However, the company is not denying that despite its five years of existence, competing with giants superwing Beijing and Chengdu and Guizhou state. If they had managed to find a foreign investor, its engineers have gained valuable experience useful for future projects.
The CY-1 series should have a length of 14.08 meters, a wingspan of 8.32 meters, a takeoff weight of 8500 kg and a load of 3000 kg war. Have reached speeds up to Mach 1.8. The previto engine had a thrust of 70 kN.
Although not returned to knowing anything about the CY-1 after its public debut in 2004, again in the Zhuhai Airshow, the surprise came in the form of its successor, the LFC-16 light fighter (Chinese Light Hunting 16). From Beijing superwing company were clear that alone would not succeed, they needed government support to raise its factory in Guizhou.
The plane seemed to be based on the fuselage of the FTC-2000 but with a single cab and a variety of surfaces maneuverable innovative inherited CY-1. The goals and objectives were always the same: create a cheap successor MiG-21, focusing mainly on the export to the poorest countries, than it would be a cheaper alternative than FC-1/JF-17 hunting.
Again, from Beijing superwing stated that the project had the support of senior Chinese officials and a prototype could be completed in one to three years, but in reality the whole initiative'm nothing.
mig33
Chengdu F-7MF/J-7FS
While in Western countries is almost inconceivable that a company has invested in the development of two aircraft in exactly the same category for exactly the same purpose, in China it is clearly possible. At the end of the millennium was put in flight one versi'on radically modernized F-7MG, called J-7FS. This aircraft should represent the final development stage of the series J-7 and had previst large exports to the poorest countries. Chengdu The company created a direct competitor to its own project, FC-1, with the same objectives. The June 8, 1998 maiden flight demonstrator concept J-7F, equipped with a powerful radar in the nose covered by a conical radome, which was located under the air intake in a similar configuration to that of the Vought F Crusader -8.
Originally, the demonstrator flew F-enrollment 7MF nro 139 to his conversion, from which he was installed a new double delta wing (or double angle arrow) as the F-7MG. The new aircraft also was painted with a new standard esquemno composed of stripes in shades of olive green and yellow sand. In the upper vertical empennage angular projection was added.
The final configuration of the F-7MF be exhibited publicly for the first time in the exhibition of Zai 2000. The F-7MF showed definitive ventral an air intake similar to that used in the J-10 from the company. Even the sides of the cabin fixed canard pequeñasplanos added. Because of all this we had to redesign the whole landing gear leg forward and your accommodation.
From its predecessor, the F-7MF retained the WP-13F engine, the rear of the wing and tail surfaces. The electronic equipment came from a variety of sources, such as Russia, Israel, Europe and China itself, connected via the MIL-STD-1553.
The configuration tests exceeded the wind tunnel and flight of the prototype was planned for around 2002. The cost of fly-away production was estimated at U.S. $ 7 to 8,000,000 the price level of 2000. But after Pakistan agreed to pay half the cost of developing the FC-1 and with the introduction into service of the J-10A significant in Chinese aviation, decreased expectations about the F-7MF and this eventually disappeared or was canceled. J-7FS with the original delta wing and the double delta
Beijing Super Wing CY-1 and FTC-16
Another interesting adaptation of the J-7 was the CY-1, designed by the airline superwing Beijing Technology Research Institute Co., founded in China sometime in around 1997. Unlike state-owned aviation giants such as Chengdu, the new company specializes in modifications to the structures inherited from the oldest light fighters, using innovative ideas that can be used in the new millennium. The concept was centered mainly in countries that need new fighter and fighter jets, but could not afford even the cheapest modern fighters such as the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. In most cases, operators would former MiG-19 and MiG-21.
The multipurpose single-seat fighter CY-1 was based on J-7/MiG-21 Chengdu, but with "duck tail" and an unusual longitudinal dimensional area on the sides of the body (highlighted in blue in the photos of the model) that according to statements by the manufacturer issues like maneuverability aircraft equipped with costly advanced FBW system. In short, the CY-1 was a MiG-21 prepared for the installation of equipment provided modernosy greater maneuverability obtained by adding new nonstandard maneuvering surfaces.
The aircraft was developed in 1998 and the general configuration was tested by radio-controlled models. Beijing superwing The company had to compete economically and politically against aircraft more evolved in its development, such as the FC-1 and F-7MF in the same category, so it was decided to participate in Zhuhai Air Show 2002 and submit this proposal to the public in an effort to find the right sponsors. Although trust company officials claimed that the Chinese armed forces have expressed a strong interest in the concept, the reality was much less poetic. Many rightly wondered if the plane really did without FBW system. However, the company is not denying that despite its five years of existence, competing with giants superwing Beijing and Chengdu and Guizhou state. If they had managed to find a foreign investor, its engineers have gained valuable experience useful for future projects.
The CY-1 series should have a length of 14.08 meters, a wingspan of 8.32 meters, a takeoff weight of 8500 kg and a load of 3000 kg war. Have reached speeds up to Mach 1.8. The previto engine had a thrust of 70 kN.
Although not returned to knowing anything about the CY-1 after its public debut in 2004, again in the Zhuhai Airshow, the surprise came in the form of its successor, the LFC-16 light fighter (Chinese Light Hunting 16). From Beijing superwing company were clear that alone would not succeed, they needed government support to raise its factory in Guizhou.
The plane seemed to be based on the fuselage of the FTC-2000 but with a single cab and a variety of surfaces maneuverable innovative inherited CY-1. The goals and objectives were always the same: create a cheap successor MiG-21, focusing mainly on the export to the poorest countries, than it would be a cheaper alternative than FC-1/JF-17 hunting.
Again, from Beijing superwing stated that the project had the support of senior Chinese officials and a prototype could be completed in one to three years, but in reality the whole initiative'm nothing.
mig33
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F-7P Sabre II "Super 7" (Chao Qi)
The Super-7 is a development of the F-7, Chengdu's version of the Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed. The upgraded F-7M was to be offered for export by China as a lowcost, new-build replacement for the US-built Northrop F-5, the Soviet MiG-21, and the Chinese F-6 and F-7.
By the early 1980s the PAF was looking for a new fighter to replace the F-6 [Chinese J-6]. Pakistan initiated the Sabre II project which would upgrade the Chengdu F-7M Skybolt with a Western engine and avionics. The early 1980s was characterized by a pronounced improvement in US-Chinese relations. It was therefore only natural that China became a major market for Western military hardware, in contrast to the years following China's 1949 Communist revolution, when an economic embargo imposed by the West forced China to seek assistance from the Soviet Union.
Grumman and China studied the feasibility of producing substantially improved F-7s using US engines and avionics. The extensively modified version of China's F-7 (MiG-21) fighter, called the Sabre II, would be re-engined and given a new forward fuselage with "solid" nose and side intakes. The new plane was deep modernization of J-7 fighter. The Sabre II was an F-7 with a General Electric F404 or Pratt & Whitney PW1216 or PW1120 engine producing between 16,0001b and 20,0001b thrust. The aircraft was equipped with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 radar (the same as on the F-16 fighter. According to Chinese experts, the combat capabilities of the aircraft "Super 7" must have been closer to the American F-16 fighter.
The "SUPER-7" was the first fighter jet completely designed and manufactured by China. Super-7 (Chao Qi) fighter was a new generation fighter and the first of its kind of China's own intellectual property rights. The third-generation fighter plane, which can carry 3.8 tons of missiles, also has improved systems for attacking ground targets. Its advanced radar positioning and operating systems give the plane greater flexibility and better close-range manoeuvrability.
The wing area would be enlarged by increasing span (from 23.5ft to 26ft) and chord. Leading-edge slats and combat flaps would be fitted. Two additional hardpoints would be incorporated for Sidewinder-class air-to-air missiles. The higher thrust and lower wing loading would increase manuverability, while the longer fuselage (stretched from 45.8ft to 49.3ft) would give an 1,1001b increase in fuel capacity and single-point refuelling. The extra fuel and more-efficient turbofan would enhance range and endurance. The main landing gear would be beefed up, and larger wheels fitted. The nose gear would also be redesigned, and would incorporate nosewheel steering. An arrester hook would be fitted, and the ventral strake would be reshaped. The cockpit would be changed completely, with a Northrop F-20 Tigershark windscreen and canopy, F-16-type displays and instrumentation, and a new ejection seat. The gaseous oxygen system would be replaced by a higher-capacity liquid oxygen system.
The program was partially funded by Pakistan, which was considered as the main potential customer. The fighter was offered as a low-cost alternative to the F-16 to meet Pakistan's 150-aircraft requirement to replace Chinese-supplied F-6s (MiG-19s). The flyaway cost will be $8-9 million.
Grumman completed a five-month feasibility study in 1987. The American firm had performed preliminary studies and wind tunnel aircraft models. Grumman, China's Chengdu aircraft factory, China Aero Technology Import-Export Company, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) promoted the F-7 modification. Chengdu would build the revised rear fuselage to a Grumman design, while the US company would build the new forward fuselage. PAC would assemble the aircraft. Several other Western companies were in competition to supply the engine and avionics.
In November 1988 Grumman and the China National Aero Technology Import-Export Corporation (Catic) started a nine month preliminary design study to upgrade Chinese-built Xian F-7M Airguard (MiG-21) fighter/ ground-attack aircraft. But by 1988 Grumman doubted that its proposal will be accepted, but believed that China could become interested in the modified F-7 for its own use.
The joint program to produce the Super 7 fighter was delayed in part because of resource constraints which prevented Beijing from meeting the project's initial R&D costs. Within a few years, project costs had escalated, and by 1989 the program was regarded as posing high financial risk by the PAF, given the 40% increase in the cost of the project. Chinese relations with the West broke down following the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in June 1989. Consequently, the "Sabre II" project was cancelled.
In the meantime the US lost interest in Pakistan following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. The US suddenly focused on Pakistan's nuclear weapons development program, and in 1990 the US imposed military and economic sanctions in the Pressler amendments. Development of the "Super 7" upgrade was slowed with the end of American technical assistance following the Tienanmen repression of 1989. The PAF opted for a less ambitious option of acquiring the F-7P Skybolt, an upgraded version of the F-7M, to support the fleet of F-7P Skybolts with over a 100 F-16 Fighting Falcons.
By 1993 Saturn's AL-31F, which powers the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, had been selected to power the Chinese Chengdu Super-7, which was due to be flown in 1994. The Super-7 was to have been powered by the General Electric F404, but use of the engine was blocked by a US trade embargo. The Russian powerplant was selected over the Turbo-Union marketed by Rolls-Royce. By 1995 Moscow was willing to assist with a number of Chinese programs, including the Super-7 fighter plane. But even with Russia's help, this aircraft ws not scheduled for delivery until the latter part of the 1990s. Pakistan and China later foreclosed the option of producing F-Super 7 aircraft due to non-availability of engines. However, Chengdu continued it efforts to improve the F-7M airframe by re-designing air intakes on the sides of the fuselage, hence the name Super-7.
Both the "F-7P" and "Super 7" nomenclature are extremely ambiguous, and seem to refer as much to requirments as to actual specific pieces of hardware. The "F-7P" nomenclature seems to reference the full range of F-7 configurations for Pakistan, and antedates the development of the side inlet design. Similarly, the "Super 7" nomenclature survived this F-7 derivative configuration, and for a while decended on the essentially unrelated FC-1 "Chao Qi" / JF-17 Thunder program, which Pakistan and China embarked on in the late 1990s.
F-7P Sabre II "Super 7" (Chao Qi)
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The answer has already been given, and now you are just trolling. Banned from thread.
fatman17
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FC-1 / JF-17 Fighter
The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is a single-engine, single-seat multirole fighter aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The aircraft is designated JF-17 Thunder by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF). The first batch of 50 aircraft in the Block-I variant were delivered to the PAF between 2008 and 2013. Production of further 50 aircraft in the improved Block-II variant reportedly began in early 2014.
Key Facts
Number in service 50 (Pakistani Air Force)
Designer Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute)
Manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG)
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)
Maiden flight 25 August 2003
IOC 2008 (PAF)
Crew One
Role Air superiority / ground attack
Development History
The FC-1/JF-17 can trace its origin to the Super-7 programme initiated in 1989 by CAIG and U.S. aerospace company Grumman. The aim of the programme was to introduce a radically redesigned Chengdu J-7 (Mig-21 Fishbed-C) fitted with Western engine and avionics for the PLAAF as well as potential international customers. Grumman pulled out of the programme in late 1989 following the military technology boycott on China imposed by the U.S. government. CAIG resumed the development in 1991 under the revised Fighter China 1 programme.
In 1995, Pakistan in search for a replacement for its ageing Dassault Mirage III/5s, Chengdu F-7s and Nanchang Q-5s entered an initial agreement with China to jointly develop a modern multirole fighter aircraft. Russian Mikoyan also joined the development programme in the same year to provide design support and sent a team of engineers to CAIG to assist the development. Russia also agreed to supply the Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine to power the aircraft.
In 1999, China and Pakistan signed an official joint-development agreement, with each side sharing 50% of the total development cost. CAIG is the prime Chinese contractor for aircraft development and manufacture, while Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is the main partner responsible for post-sale service and maintenance, as well as the production of some parts for the aircraft in Pakistan. The first six prototypes were produced in 2003 and the aircraft made its maiden flight on 25 August 2003.
Super-7
FC-1 prototype
PAF JF-17 Thunder (Block-I)
Production and Deliveries
The initial order from the PAF was for eight aircraft. Delivery of the first two pre-production variant JF-17s to the PAF took place in March 2007. The remaining six examples had been delivered by 2008. A further order for 42 aircraft worth about US$800 million was signed in March 2009, and the production of these aircraft was completed in 2013.
Production of the improved Block-II variant JF-17 began in January 2014, with a further 50 examples expected to be produced for the PAF. PAC is also expecting to export the aircraft to a number of potential buyers including Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Qatar, with the first deal to be signed in 2014. CAIG is also currently developing a two-seater fighter-trainer variant of the FC-1/JF-17. However, the PLAAF has shown no interest in acquiring the aircraft.
Design
The FC-1/JF-17 adopts a rather conventional aerodynamic layout, with mid-mounted wings, lateral air intakes, single-frame bubble cockpit canopy, and two under-belly stabilising fins. The drag chute bay is located at the root of the rudder. An electronic equipment pod is mounted on the tip of the rudder. The production variant JF-17 features a diffuser supersonic inlet (DSI) similar to those of the U.S. F-35 fighter for better air-intake efficiency.
Radar
The JF-17s in service with the PAF are fitted with an Italian Grifo S-7 multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar. The radar has 25 working modes and a non-break-down time of 200 hours, and is capable of “look-down, shoot-down”, as well as for ground strike abilities. Alternatively, the aircraft can be fitted with the Thales RC400, GEC Marconi Blue Hawk, Russian Phazotron Zemchug/Kopyo, and Chinese indigenous KLJ-7 developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET).
Cockpit and Avionics
The aircraft’s avionics architecture is supported by two mission computers based on Multi-Bus System (MIL-STD-1553B). The heart of the system is a 32-bit Weapon and Mission management Computer (WMMC) which performs mission computations, flight management, reconfiguration / redundancy management and in-flight system self-test.
Fixed weapon includes a GSh-23 dual-barrel 23mm cannon. Alternatively the aircraft can be fitted with a GSh-30 dual-30mm cannon. There are 7 stores stations, including one under the fuselage, 4 under the wings, and 2 wingtip mounted, with up to 3,700kg weapon payload.
The aircraft is callable of ‘beyond-visual-range’ (BVR) attack capability with the PL-12/SD-10 active radar-homing medium-range air-to-air missile (MRAAM) developed by China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI, also known as 607 Institute). The aircraft also carries two short-range AAMs on its wingtip-mounted launch rails. The options include U.S. AIM-9P and Chinese PL-7, PL-8, and PL-9.
For air-to-ground mission the aircraft can carry a range of Chinese and foreign-made weapon systems, including LT-2/LT-3/GBU-16 laser-guided bombs, LS-6 satellite-guided bombs, Brazilian MAR-1 or Chinese LD-10 anti-radiation missiles, and C-802K anti-ship missiles.
The aircraft can carry a special pod allowing day/night delivery of laser-guided weapons. In addition, it can also carry unguided weapons such as low-drag general-purpose (LDGP) bombs and unguided rocket launchers.
Engine
The FC-1/JF-17 is powered by a Russian-made Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine rated 49.4kN dry or 84.4kN with afterburning. The RD-93 is a derivation of the RD-33 used by the MiG-29 fighter. In 2007, China signed a contract with Russia to supply 150 RD-93 engines for the JF-17 production.
Liyang Aero Engine Corporation in Guizhou is reportedly developing an indigenous turbofan engine designated WS-13 (or Tianshan-21) as an alterative powerplant option for the FC-1. The engine was said to have been based on the RD-93 design with some modifications.
Specifications
DIMENSIONS
Length 14 m
Wingspan 8.5 m (without wingtip missiles)
Height 5.10 m
Wing area 24.4 m2
WEIGHTS
Empty 6,411 kg
Loaded 9,100kg (without wingtip missiles)
Normal take-off 9,100 kg
Max take-off 12,700 kg
Fuel capacity 2,300 kg
Max payload 3,700 kg
PROPULSION
Powerplant 1X Russian Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine
Thrust (dry) 49.4kN
Thrust (afterburning) 84.4kN
PERFORMANCE
Max level speed Mach 1.8 (at altitude)
Max climb rate N/A
Service ceiling 16,700 m
Ferry range 3,000 km
Combat radius 1,350 km
In-flight refuelling (Block-I) No; (Block-II) Yes
G limit +8.5/-3
ARMAMENTS
Fixed weapon 23mm or 30mm dual-barrel cannon
External hardpoints 7 (1 under the fuselage centre-line; 4 under the wings; 2 on the wingtips)
Air-to-air missiles PL-8, PL-11, PL-12
Air-to-surface missiles MAR-1, LD-10, C-802K
Bomb LGB (LT-2/LT-3/GBU-16), Satellite -guided bomb (LS-6)
Other Unguided rocket launchers
AVIONICS
Fire-control radar options Grifo S-7 multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar;
GEC Marconi Blue Hawk;
Russian Phazotron Zemchug/Kopyo;
Chinese indigenous KLJ-7;
Other
The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is a single-engine, single-seat multirole fighter aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The aircraft is designated JF-17 Thunder by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF). The first batch of 50 aircraft in the Block-I variant were delivered to the PAF between 2008 and 2013. Production of further 50 aircraft in the improved Block-II variant reportedly began in early 2014.
Key Facts
Number in service 50 (Pakistani Air Force)
Designer Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute)
Manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG)
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)
Maiden flight 25 August 2003
IOC 2008 (PAF)
Crew One
Role Air superiority / ground attack
Development History
The FC-1/JF-17 can trace its origin to the Super-7 programme initiated in 1989 by CAIG and U.S. aerospace company Grumman. The aim of the programme was to introduce a radically redesigned Chengdu J-7 (Mig-21 Fishbed-C) fitted with Western engine and avionics for the PLAAF as well as potential international customers. Grumman pulled out of the programme in late 1989 following the military technology boycott on China imposed by the U.S. government. CAIG resumed the development in 1991 under the revised Fighter China 1 programme.
In 1995, Pakistan in search for a replacement for its ageing Dassault Mirage III/5s, Chengdu F-7s and Nanchang Q-5s entered an initial agreement with China to jointly develop a modern multirole fighter aircraft. Russian Mikoyan also joined the development programme in the same year to provide design support and sent a team of engineers to CAIG to assist the development. Russia also agreed to supply the Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine to power the aircraft.
In 1999, China and Pakistan signed an official joint-development agreement, with each side sharing 50% of the total development cost. CAIG is the prime Chinese contractor for aircraft development and manufacture, while Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is the main partner responsible for post-sale service and maintenance, as well as the production of some parts for the aircraft in Pakistan. The first six prototypes were produced in 2003 and the aircraft made its maiden flight on 25 August 2003.
Super-7
FC-1 prototype
PAF JF-17 Thunder (Block-I)
Production and Deliveries
The initial order from the PAF was for eight aircraft. Delivery of the first two pre-production variant JF-17s to the PAF took place in March 2007. The remaining six examples had been delivered by 2008. A further order for 42 aircraft worth about US$800 million was signed in March 2009, and the production of these aircraft was completed in 2013.
Production of the improved Block-II variant JF-17 began in January 2014, with a further 50 examples expected to be produced for the PAF. PAC is also expecting to export the aircraft to a number of potential buyers including Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Qatar, with the first deal to be signed in 2014. CAIG is also currently developing a two-seater fighter-trainer variant of the FC-1/JF-17. However, the PLAAF has shown no interest in acquiring the aircraft.
Design
The FC-1/JF-17 adopts a rather conventional aerodynamic layout, with mid-mounted wings, lateral air intakes, single-frame bubble cockpit canopy, and two under-belly stabilising fins. The drag chute bay is located at the root of the rudder. An electronic equipment pod is mounted on the tip of the rudder. The production variant JF-17 features a diffuser supersonic inlet (DSI) similar to those of the U.S. F-35 fighter for better air-intake efficiency.
Radar
The JF-17s in service with the PAF are fitted with an Italian Grifo S-7 multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar. The radar has 25 working modes and a non-break-down time of 200 hours, and is capable of “look-down, shoot-down”, as well as for ground strike abilities. Alternatively, the aircraft can be fitted with the Thales RC400, GEC Marconi Blue Hawk, Russian Phazotron Zemchug/Kopyo, and Chinese indigenous KLJ-7 developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET).
Cockpit and Avionics
The aircraft’s avionics architecture is supported by two mission computers based on Multi-Bus System (MIL-STD-1553B). The heart of the system is a 32-bit Weapon and Mission management Computer (WMMC) which performs mission computations, flight management, reconfiguration / redundancy management and in-flight system self-test.
- Navigation – Hybrid inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS);
- Communications – Independent data link with two Independent wide-band radios with anti-jamming capabilities;
- Electronic warfare (EW) – Self production jammer, missile approach warning system, radar warning receiver (RWR), chaff & flare dispenser;
- Identification of Friend and foe (IFF) – IFF interrogator for target verification at the BVR range;
- ‘Glass’ cockpit – Three large Multifunction Colour Displays (MFD) and smart Heads-Up Display (HUD) with built-in symbol generation capability; HOTAS;
- Targeting — Laser Designator and Targeting Pod (LDTP) for target illumination and detection with day/ night capabilities;
Fixed weapon includes a GSh-23 dual-barrel 23mm cannon. Alternatively the aircraft can be fitted with a GSh-30 dual-30mm cannon. There are 7 stores stations, including one under the fuselage, 4 under the wings, and 2 wingtip mounted, with up to 3,700kg weapon payload.
The aircraft is callable of ‘beyond-visual-range’ (BVR) attack capability with the PL-12/SD-10 active radar-homing medium-range air-to-air missile (MRAAM) developed by China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI, also known as 607 Institute). The aircraft also carries two short-range AAMs on its wingtip-mounted launch rails. The options include U.S. AIM-9P and Chinese PL-7, PL-8, and PL-9.
For air-to-ground mission the aircraft can carry a range of Chinese and foreign-made weapon systems, including LT-2/LT-3/GBU-16 laser-guided bombs, LS-6 satellite-guided bombs, Brazilian MAR-1 or Chinese LD-10 anti-radiation missiles, and C-802K anti-ship missiles.
The aircraft can carry a special pod allowing day/night delivery of laser-guided weapons. In addition, it can also carry unguided weapons such as low-drag general-purpose (LDGP) bombs and unguided rocket launchers.
Engine
The FC-1/JF-17 is powered by a Russian-made Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine rated 49.4kN dry or 84.4kN with afterburning. The RD-93 is a derivation of the RD-33 used by the MiG-29 fighter. In 2007, China signed a contract with Russia to supply 150 RD-93 engines for the JF-17 production.
Liyang Aero Engine Corporation in Guizhou is reportedly developing an indigenous turbofan engine designated WS-13 (or Tianshan-21) as an alterative powerplant option for the FC-1. The engine was said to have been based on the RD-93 design with some modifications.
Specifications
DIMENSIONS
Length 14 m
Wingspan 8.5 m (without wingtip missiles)
Height 5.10 m
Wing area 24.4 m2
WEIGHTS
Empty 6,411 kg
Loaded 9,100kg (without wingtip missiles)
Normal take-off 9,100 kg
Max take-off 12,700 kg
Fuel capacity 2,300 kg
Max payload 3,700 kg
PROPULSION
Powerplant 1X Russian Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine
Thrust (dry) 49.4kN
Thrust (afterburning) 84.4kN
PERFORMANCE
Max level speed Mach 1.8 (at altitude)
Max climb rate N/A
Service ceiling 16,700 m
Ferry range 3,000 km
Combat radius 1,350 km
In-flight refuelling (Block-I) No; (Block-II) Yes
G limit +8.5/-3
ARMAMENTS
Fixed weapon 23mm or 30mm dual-barrel cannon
External hardpoints 7 (1 under the fuselage centre-line; 4 under the wings; 2 on the wingtips)
Air-to-air missiles PL-8, PL-11, PL-12
Air-to-surface missiles MAR-1, LD-10, C-802K
Bomb LGB (LT-2/LT-3/GBU-16), Satellite -guided bomb (LS-6)
Other Unguided rocket launchers
AVIONICS
Fire-control radar options Grifo S-7 multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar;
GEC Marconi Blue Hawk;
Russian Phazotron Zemchug/Kopyo;
Chinese indigenous KLJ-7;
Other
Manticore
RETIRED MOD
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- Jan 18, 2009
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- Reaction score
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- Location
Chak Bamu
RETIRED MOD
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- Jan 3, 2013
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Max External Weight = 12700 Kg (Max Take Off wt) - 6450 Kg (Empty wt) - 2300 Kg (Max internal fuel) = 3950 Kg.
Max External Weight is also given as 4600 Kg, which is probably as much as structure can support.
With a greater thrust setting (at the cost of engine life) or having an engine with higher thrust, JF-17 could carry significantly more than 4000 Kg Max External Wt.
Max External Weight is also given as 4600 Kg, which is probably as much as structure can support.
With a greater thrust setting (at the cost of engine life) or having an engine with higher thrust, JF-17 could carry significantly more than 4000 Kg Max External Wt.
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