Re: JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread 2009
I read that ex PAF ACM said that J10 had more then enough range. I think we can put that in perspective cause for Pakistan there is a different distance to border or enemy/airfields/major cities then for China that will have oceans to conquer. Adding 2 big wingtanks is nice but precious ordnance is gone. Adding IFR maybe nice but you risk refueller. I agree with Tphuang that J10 needs a bit more. Maybe conformals or more internal fuelspace.
About Fc1 entering PLAAF. I had that in my mind since he beginning. You just cannot expect J7 to go on for decades without range, BVR or decent ECM. The J10 is costly (just look a the cost of its engine...!). And there is no real alternative besides Fc1. The fact that Fc1-06 is seen flying would ring bells. We cannot see the quantity yet cause the Fc1 has some testing to go. But the path and partnerships are predictable.
Trainer: Majority K8, added J15
Lower: Fc1
Medium: J10a/b
Medium+: J11
High: still a bit secret for outsiders but we all know what we can expect...
I think that the current Fc1-06 is block1 version but we can expect some intresting upgrades. If you look at PAF JF17 weapons then it is going to right way to become decent workhorse. The usual dumb boms, BVR (SD10/PL12, alernatives), Cruise missile (Raad), LGB's, GPS guided bombs. I think that is offers more then the average medium ech available to most nations and that for a very reasonable price.
J5,