It was first rumored in June 2013 that a "full standard" variant (
J-10C, K/JJ10C?) with enhanced 4th generation electronics including an
AESA radar, which is finally available, and an improved
glass cockpit was under development. The
J-10C (K/JJ10C?) #201 prototype (later renumbered as
#1051) took off for the first time on December 31, 2013, powered by an AL-31FN Series 3 engine.
The aircraft appears to have close similarity with J-10B except for an additional datalink antenna on its spine ahead of the vertical fin, which has been speculated to provide mid-course update for the long-range PL-15 AAM. Besides up to 4
PL-12s under the dual missile launch rails, the aircraft is capable of carrying the latest PL-10 and PL-15 AAMs (up to 4 can also be carried under the dual missile launch rails), plus
YJ-91 ARM,
JG-500B LGB,
KD-88/88A ASM and
YJ-83K AShM. It can also carry a
KL-700A ECM pod and a
K/JDC01A FLIR/laser designation pod underneath the engine air intake.
Images taken in November 2015 indicated that the production of the 02 batch had begun, believed to be
J-10Cs. They had VLOC antennas installed on top of the vertical fin and don't have the rear MAWS sensors on the root of fin (reason unknown). The aircraft is still powered by AL-31FN Series 3 turbofan and WS-10B was expected to be fitted in the future.
J-10C has been in the service with PLAAF since 2016 (S/N 78x1x? 74x2x, 61x6x, 68x3x, 78x8x).
J-10C was officially unveiled during the PLA 90th Anniversary parade in August 2017. Images released in November 2017 indicated that
IIR MAWS sensors (S740) were installed on the side of engine air intake as well as at the tip of vertical fin for the newly built
J-10Cs. An image posted in October 2018 indicated that the
03 batch entered the service with PLAAF (S/N 61x6x). An image posted in July 2019 indicated that the
04 batch powered by the indigenous WS-10B turbofan without the TVC nozzle was in production. Images posted in December 2019 and June 2021 respectively indicated the
05 batch and
06 batch powered by the WS-10B engine were in production.
Some J-10C pilot have been wearing a new HMDS similar to American JHMCS, which would maximize the HOBS capability of PL-10 AAM. The export version of J-10C is called J-10CE and the first customer could be Pakistani AF who needs the aircraft (dubbed J-10CP?) to counter the Indian AF's Rafale.
A recent rumor (July 2020) suggested that a semi-stealth variant (J-10D?) was being developed to supplement the more expensive
J-20 and
J-35. A recent image (December 2020) indicated that
J-10C started to wear a new low-visibility PLAAF insignia and serial number.
Another recent image (May 2021) indicated that
J-10C powered by the WS-10B turbofan engine has entered the service with PLAAF (S/N 78x1x? 63x6x).
The latest image (June 2021) indicated that the some have been fitted with a new narrow frame holographic HUD similar to the one onboard JF-17 Block III (see below). The latest rumor (November 2021) suggested that the first J-10D prototype has been built at CAC. Its maiden flight is expected to be by the end of the year.
- Last Updated 11/20/21
http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com/p/fighters-ii.html