JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

[taimikhan]

The reason for Pakistan in trying to get hold of western engines is a sound one... First of all, Pakistan is flying lots of westerns birds - F16, Mirage and stuff like that. Thus the engineers and technicians are very familiar with the western engines and how to maintain them. Thus it is logical for the Pakistan to try to secure the western engines for their JF-17.

However given that the chinese engines for this class of fighters might be on par with whatever the Westerns are willing to offer and sell, I guess it would be easier for Pakistan to stick with the Chinese's.

Well officially PAF officials i believe have never said about an engine change, but they had talked about an avionics and radar option.

As for western engines, PAF has been using nearly an equal number or more of the Chinese engines also, as we have A-5, F-7Ps, F-7PGs, FT-series trainers, which become in hundreds. And the Chinese engines have been working good.

The only concern was the Russian factor, due to which talk of western came into being, as at that time Chinese option was not fully ready, but once Russia assured of no supply problems & China came into the picture, PAF is ok with RD-93 and recent news indicates a more powerful version would also be available.

But in the end, Chinese option is what suits PAF the best, operationally, maintenance wise and no strings attached policy, we can have an in house over hauling facility, which would speed up operational maintenance and cost saving compared to either Russian or Western options.

PAF is waiting for a Chinese option and the moment it becomes available, it will be used.

 

[mean_bird]

The reason for Pakistan in trying to get hold of western engines is a sound one... First of all, Pakistan is flying lots of westerns birds - F16, Mirage and stuff like that. Thus the engineers and technicians are very familiar with the western engines and how to maintain them. Thus it is logical for the Pakistan to try to secure the western engines for their JF-17.

PAF is NOT currently looking for a western engine. Only talks are related to radar/avionics. Russian engine is here to stay for some time thought PAF would be happy to get an upgraded version of it.

However given that the chinese engines for this class of fighters might be on par with whatever the Westerns are willing to offer and sell, I guess it would be easier for Pakistan to stick with the Chinese's.

First China needs to make a working engine. Whether or not it will be on par with western doesn't even arise as of now because neither is pakistan buying western engines nor does china has any engine to offer.

What latest news do we have on the WS-13?

 

[mean_bird]

Good news for JF-17!

According to Janes, PAF officials have hinted that the JF-17 will perform at the Farnborough Air Show later this year. Just to recall, the airshow takes place in July.

 

[Lion]

Good news for JF-17!

According to Janes, PAF officials have hinted that the JF-17 will perform at the Farnborough Air Show later this year. Just to recall, the airshow takes place in July.

Last year was also news of JF-17 performing at UAE air show but turn out only L-15 trainer doing it. So will keep my finger cross until something more concrete appears. :coffee:

 

[taimikhan]

Last year was also news of JF-17 performing at UAE air show but turn out only L-15 trainer doing it. So will keep my finger cross until something more concrete appears. :coffee:

Well then JF-17 wasn't inducted and its operational capabilities wasn't known fully.

But since JF-17 has become operational and currently going throw a battle like situation extensive exercise, its real capabilities will be known and then can easily be shown to the world.

Plus, I believe time has come to get this to the export level as PAC has built the manufacturing infrastructure, so has China, so now they can cater to export orders if they get one.

 

[Lion]

Well then JF-17 wasn't inducted and its operational capabilities wasn't known fully.

But since JF-17 has become operational and currently going throw a battle like situation extensive exercise, its real capabilities will be known and then can easily be shown to the world.

Plus, I believe time has come to get this to the export level as PAC has built the manufacturing infrastructure, so has China, so now they can cater to export orders if they get one.

L-15 wasn't even induct.. I don't think that is the point.

 

[taimikhan]

L-15 wasn't even induct.. I don't think that is the point.

What i meant was JF-17 was at that time going through Test & Evaluation.

You bring something in air shows when it is fully ready, half finished or half tested products I believe aren't shown.

L-15 may have been finalized.

When did the J-10 started to be shown in air shows ?? I believe after quiet some time, even many years later after its induction even.

 

[Lion]

What i meant was JF-17 was at that time going through Test & Evaluation.

You bring something in air shows when it is fully ready, half finished or half tested products I believe aren't shown.

L-15 may have been finalized.

When did the J-10 started to be shown in air shows ?? I believe after quiet some time, even many years later after its induction even.

L-15 after burner engine wasn't ready.. How can it be?

 

[taimikhan]

L-15 after burner engine wasn't ready.. How can it be?

Well you may be right Sir, as my knowledge about Chinese aviation industry is weak.

But as far as I know, the L-15 first 2 prototypes had the non-afterburner engines AI-222K-25, while starting from 3rd prototype the engines were the afterburner version AI-222K-25F.

And this 3rd prototype was the aircraft which performed for the 1st time in any air show, and coincidentally the 1st air show that it performed into was the Zuhai Airshow of 2008 and then later it went to Dubai Airshow.

So L-15 came into the airshows with its after burner engines.

Do help if am wrong, thanks.

 

[Miragedriver]

Gentlemen,

This is my first posting on this blog. I have spend many hour read all of your very informative posts, and I have a few questions I would like to ask. Also please excuse my English, since it is not my first language.
My questions are as follows:

1) Will the new trainer (JL-9/FTC-2000) have a single seat fighter version in the works?
2) Do you think that this (fighter) version of the JL-9 will be a slightly lateral or upward improvement of the current version of the J-7?
3) With the enlarger nose cone could modern radar be fitter that can support the use of medium ranger AAM?
4) I have read that the cost of the JL-9 (single set) is around 12 million. If that is true why not just buy the JF-17 single seat and trainer version?

It seam as if this aircraft could be a good stopgap for countries that cannot afford a 4th generation fighter and need to get something in the air until they can acquire replacements.

Thank you,