Hence the development of RD-93MA specefically for FC-1
JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
Hence the development of RD-93MA specefically for FC-1
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Any idea when the Block III will make its maiden flight?
Blackstone
Brigadier
Well, if WS-13 is truly part of JF-17 Block III, then my guess is 10-15 years from now.
thunderchief
Senior Member
Hard to tell. Personally for me, Block 2 was a bit of disappointment . It arrived much latter then expected, with very few improvements. Even air-refueling probe is to be added latter . Now they announce AESA radar with accompanying problems of higher power consumption , which would most likely require something more powerful then existing RD-93 . But on the other side, both RD-93MA and WS-13 are far from being operational . So I'm not very optimistic . Let's first wait and see what would happen with Block 2 production run .
Dizasta1
Senior Member
Heard through the rumor mill that JF-17 Thunders will be getting RD-93MA for its Block-IIIs. Dunno if that would enough to juice up an AESA. But it sure as hell would improve Thunder's speed and agility. And I wonder whether the Chinese would actually get that WS-13 uprated engine out anytime soon. Either way, with the French option off the table, its only natural to go for the Russian or the Chinese options. Heck there is no way in hell that Pakistan Air Force would go for an American option, even if it were free!
Dizast, they already have...and they did so when it wasn't free.
And through 2014 they continued to spend to get more and upgrade the F-16s they have. They are very capable, relevant, dangerous aircraft to this day...and Pakistan has quite a few of them.
Last year Turkey delivered the last four upgrades they were doing for Pakistan. Also last year Pakistan took delivery of a squadron of F-16s from Jordan.
The 76 F-16s that Pakistan has and has upgraded represent their existing front line, modern force.
Now, the Thunders are going to substantially compliment this force...but they are not meant to supplant the Falcons. They are replacing other older Chinese and French aircraft.
Dizasta1
Senior Member
I'm sorry Jeff, I guess I was a bit vague about what I was referring to. I did not mean the F-16s, they're a great aircraft and I know that Pakistan Air Force is looking to buy more of them. Rather, I was referring to engines and that Pakistan Air Force wouldn't go for the American engines for JF-17 Thunders.
I thought the block II upgrades were quite substantial with upgrades on the software, avionics, radar, EW suites, refueling probe and many other things. I was hoping that the block II would be using the more powerful RD-93MA engines but that didn't happen. So that was a disappointment for me.
Oh...I see now. No problems.
You are right. I cannot see the Pakistanis or anyone else for that matter who purchases JF-17s ever opting for US engines for them.