JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
Looks even better. With the single seater block 3, it would look much sleeker. A beauty to behold indeed.
I would very much like for JF17 program to take the same upgrade approach as for Gripen NG. It cannot be for each item on the list, but where applicable PaF should aim for the most punch.
I have no doubt an AESA equipped JF17 which would also enable it to carry next gen of AAM like PL 15 etc and strong survivability in an EW environment is what PAF is looking at. A small, low cost fighter like JF17 with no nonsense approach to operational deployment, and commonality across the fleet, even when equipped with relative high cost avionics like AESA, will still be cheaper to fly. A gripen coat 4700 USD/hr to fly while an F16 almost North of 7000 USD /hr. The JF17 will be much cheaper to operate over the years. Save us cash even in peace time and have the same bite as its more expensive 4.5 gen fighters. Ofcourse in this age a fighter should be able to survive, complete its mission and come back Alive. If we have to send another f16 to cover a JF17 formation completing their mission, it just defeats the purpose of having a low cost 4th gen fighter.
I have no doubt an AESA equipped JF17 which would also enable it to carry next gen of AAM like PL 15 etc and strong survivability in an EW environment is what PAF is looking at. A small, low cost fighter like JF17 with no nonsense approach to operational deployment, and commonality across the fleet, even when equipped with relative high cost avionics like AESA, will still be cheaper to fly. A gripen coat 4700 USD/hr to fly while an F16 almost North of 7000 USD /hr. The JF17 will be much cheaper to operate over the years. Save us cash even in peace time and have the same bite as its more expensive 4.5 gen fighters. Ofcourse in this age a fighter should be able to survive, complete its mission and come back Alive. If we have to send another f16 to cover a JF17 formation completing their mission, it just defeats the purpose of having a low cost 4th gen fighter.
Zahid
Junior Member
Mixed packages are better because they complicate the scenario for adversaries.
If the mission is Close Air Support or bomb attack, then naturally cover is needed. It may be provided by JF-17, but it may also be provided by F-16. However, with inclusion of AESA radar, JF-17 Block-III might be preferred option if range is not an issue.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
I do hope that what ever Pakistan s 5th gen aircraft will be, it be along the lines of FC31, i.e. Medium weight class, sharing a common engine and key avionics with JF17. This will give us a smooth operating chain. Both 4th and 5 th gen fighters sharing the same logistics. Such a luxury is only afforded by the leading Airforces of the world. I would hate to see what the Qatris have done with their AF, F15/EF/Rafale combo. May be they can afford to do so, we cant. And i doubt even India can with their cocktail of a fleet.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Henri K take on the new 2 seater JF 17
For the first time since the launch of the Xiaolong FC-1 program in 1999, known primarily as the JF-17 Thunder client , the Chinese and Pakistani pilots flew together on the same aircraft. And it's not just any device, but the first two-seat prototype of the program, the JF-17B .
The aircraft registered "BC0001" had already made , but test flights have been conducted so far by Chinese test pilots from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), formerly known as the Factory 132, where the first rivet of the JF-17B was laid a year ago.
According to , the Chinese and Pakistani pilots made several flight cycles together last December 7th. The event "testifies the friendship that binds the two peoples," says the text, and it is especially the first time that the Pakistani pilots participate in the tests of this two-seater variant while Pakistan has already managed to assemble and test its first single-seater JF-17 in Kamra since November 2009.
Designed by the 611 Chengdu Institute at the request of the Pakistani Air Force to meet the growing needs in training and also in more Air-Surface oriented missions, the JF-17B which measures 14.5 meters long and 9.5 meters long. Scale is developed from the standard Block II single-seat version.
The latter includes a removable air refueling boom, an improved avionics suite including, for example, data links with the ZDK-03 AWACS of Chinese origin, and allows the use of a wider range of precision munitions.
Apart from a much longer canopy and cockpit, the JF-17B can be easily distinguished from its larger single-seater by a larger vertical tail with a sharper shape. New compliant windows for additional sensors, located on both sides of the nose and also behind the right air inlet, have also been observed.
In the photo showing the second JF-17B prototype, which made its first flight on the same day that the Chinese and Pakistani pilots flew together on the "01", we can notice that the application rate of composite materials was increased compared to the single-seat version. This shows that Chengdu continues to evolve the aircraft in the idea of increasing sales prospects.
The development of the two-seat version now makes this light aircraft program more complete and more attractive. After Pakistan already has more than 86 aircraft in service and plans to reach 250, Burma and Nigeria have also placed orders for 16 and 3 aircraft respectively. Sri Lanka has already tested the plane and is thinking about the possible acquisition of the aircraft under strong pressure imposed by India.
The second prototype of the two-seater JF-17B made its first flight on December 7 (Photo)
The JF-17 program is currently in the development phase for the new Block III standard, including a Chinese WS-13Bengine , an AESA KLJ-7A antenna radar with a range of 170 kilometers (see our file " "), an IRST, a Helmet Finder (HMD), a new redundant Full Authority Electric Flight Control, and new types of ammunition. Sources indicate that Chengdu engineers finalized the design of this new configuration in September 2016.
Henri K.
For the first time since the launch of the Xiaolong FC-1 program in 1999, known primarily as the JF-17 Thunder client , the Chinese and Pakistani pilots flew together on the same aircraft. And it's not just any device, but the first two-seat prototype of the program, the JF-17B .
The aircraft registered "BC0001" had already made , but test flights have been conducted so far by Chinese test pilots from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), formerly known as the Factory 132, where the first rivet of the JF-17B was laid a year ago.
According to , the Chinese and Pakistani pilots made several flight cycles together last December 7th. The event "testifies the friendship that binds the two peoples," says the text, and it is especially the first time that the Pakistani pilots participate in the tests of this two-seater variant while Pakistan has already managed to assemble and test its first single-seater JF-17 in Kamra since November 2009.
Designed by the 611 Chengdu Institute at the request of the Pakistani Air Force to meet the growing needs in training and also in more Air-Surface oriented missions, the JF-17B which measures 14.5 meters long and 9.5 meters long. Scale is developed from the standard Block II single-seat version.
The latter includes a removable air refueling boom, an improved avionics suite including, for example, data links with the ZDK-03 AWACS of Chinese origin, and allows the use of a wider range of precision munitions.
Apart from a much longer canopy and cockpit, the JF-17B can be easily distinguished from its larger single-seater by a larger vertical tail with a sharper shape. New compliant windows for additional sensors, located on both sides of the nose and also behind the right air inlet, have also been observed.
In the photo showing the second JF-17B prototype, which made its first flight on the same day that the Chinese and Pakistani pilots flew together on the "01", we can notice that the application rate of composite materials was increased compared to the single-seat version. This shows that Chengdu continues to evolve the aircraft in the idea of increasing sales prospects.
The development of the two-seat version now makes this light aircraft program more complete and more attractive. After Pakistan already has more than 86 aircraft in service and plans to reach 250, Burma and Nigeria have also placed orders for 16 and 3 aircraft respectively. Sri Lanka has already tested the plane and is thinking about the possible acquisition of the aircraft under strong pressure imposed by India.
The second prototype of the two-seater JF-17B made its first flight on December 7 (Photo)
The JF-17 program is currently in the development phase for the new Block III standard, including a Chinese WS-13Bengine , an AESA KLJ-7A antenna radar with a range of 170 kilometers (see our file " "), an IRST, a Helmet Finder (HMD), a new redundant Full Authority Electric Flight Control, and new types of ammunition. Sources indicate that Chengdu engineers finalized the design of this new configuration in September 2016.
Henri K.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Next I hope to see in 2018
JF17 Block 3 built with full specs
JF17 Block 2 the production of the 12 units plus maybe more
Foreign export deliverys
More foreign orders
Longer term strategy of Block 4 if it indeed exists like the stealth nose canopy etc
Dual seater JF17B enter PAF colours
Taking JF17 to new heights
JF17 Block 3 built with full specs
JF17 Block 2 the production of the 12 units plus maybe more
Foreign export deliverys
More foreign orders
Longer term strategy of Block 4 if it indeed exists like the stealth nose canopy etc
Dual seater JF17B enter PAF colours
Taking JF17 to new heights
I guess initial Chinese plans did not envision what the final product JF17 would become. They wanted something else out of FC1 program and PAF something else. Had it stayed true to its core, FC1 program would have resulted in a modernized version of F7 point defense fighter with BVR capability, basically a bomb/missile truck with limited chances of survival in a modern airbattle.
Even now i think JF17 makes a strong case for not only Pakistan but also, China, if i may add. The only thing hindering its success is the power plant. Had the Chinese engine been ready and upto specs, i would like to think this program would have gained interest of far more players.
Looking back even 15 yrs, it is amazing, terrifying even, how far China has uplifted itself. That was the time when F7s Q5s J8s dominated the Chinese aeronautical industry. Such a surge in advancing technological capacity with Flanker derivatives, J20 etc with all modern 5th gen avionics, and to see all that change before my own eyes is truly remarkable and awesome.
Even now i think JF17 makes a strong case for not only Pakistan but also, China, if i may add. The only thing hindering its success is the power plant. Had the Chinese engine been ready and upto specs, i would like to think this program would have gained interest of far more players.
Looking back even 15 yrs, it is amazing, terrifying even, how far China has uplifted itself. That was the time when F7s Q5s J8s dominated the Chinese aeronautical industry. Such a surge in advancing technological capacity with Flanker derivatives, J20 etc with all modern 5th gen avionics, and to see all that change before my own eyes is truly remarkable and awesome.