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JF-17 Thunder

Encyclopedia : J : JF : JF1 : JF-17 Thunder

Description
Role Multi-role fighter
Crew 1
First Flight September 3,2003
Expected to enter Service 2006-2007
Manufacturer (CAC) China & Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Dimensions
Length 14 m
Wingspan 9.00 m
Height 5.10 m
Weights
Empty 6,321 kg
Maximum Takeoff 12,700 kg
Max weapon payload 3,800 kg
Powerplant
Engine One Russian-made RD-93 turbofan, rated 49.4kN dry or 81.4kN with afterburning. The RD-93 is a modified Chinese & Pakistani version.
Avionics
Fire-control radar Italian FIAR Grifo S-7 on Pakistani built export versions. The Radar for Pakistan Airforce's JF-17 is not yet decided. However, early PAF JF-17s will most probably be equipped with Chinese radar which PLAAF will also be using.
Navigation system Global Positioning System
Other Head up display (HUD), infra-red search-and-track system, night-vision goggle capability and a digital dual Fly by wire (FBW).
Performance
Maximum Speed Mach 1.8 (PT-1,2 and 3 are Mach 1.6)
Range Ferry range 3,000 km; Operational Radius 1,352 km
Service Ceiling 16,500 m
Rate of Climb N/A
Armament
Missiles SD-10 medium-range air-to-air missile
Other two short-range AAMs

The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon in China, is a single seat multirole fighter aircraft co-developed by China and Pakistan. It is expected to be introduced into the Pakistan Air Force in 2006.

Contents

Overview

The JF-17 is designed to further meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistani Air Force with a minimal reliance on imports from other countries. In addition, the requirement was for the aircraft to have sufficient space for future upgrades and/or equipment specified by export buyers. The JF-17 is considered to be in the "low-high-tech class" of fighter aircraft.

Although officially unconfirmed by Pakistan, the JF-17 is likely to counter Indian HAL Tejas or Su-30MKI.

Project

The JF-17 is being built by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), and the Pakistan aeronautical complex (PAIC) is expected to license produce it at a later stage. Initial reports claimed that the aircraft was based on the design of the MiG-33, a proposed single-engined version of the MiG-29, which was rejected by the Soviet Air Force. However, the FC-1/JF-17 is instead derived from the "Super Seven" project, not the Project 33 (not to be confused with the MiG-33) or the failed Chengdu J-9. Indications are that MiG assisted the program by contributing their light fighter design as well as providing additional design & development assistance.

The project is expected to cost about $500 million (USD), divided equally between China and Pakistan, while each individual aircraft is expected to have a fly-away cost of $15-20 million. Pakistan has announced that it will procure 150 planes by 2015, which will replace the MiG-21 derived Chengdu F-7. Other countries which have expressed interest in purchasing the JF-17 are Egypt, Nigeria, Burma and Zimbabwe.Morocco and Algeria have been also offered the type.

History

In 1986, China signed an agreement with Grumman to develop an upgrade/replacement for the J-7 known as the "Super 7". The program was cancelled in 1990, primarily due to worsening relations with the US following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. However, CAC kept the program alive by providing low-level funding from its own resources.

After US sanctions were imposed on Pakistan in 1990, Pakistan also became interested in the project. In June 1999, Pakistan and China made an agreement to restart the program with Pakistan paying about 50% of the development costs. The project became known as JF-17 in Pakistan and FC-1 in China.

The first prototype was rolled out on 31 May, 2003, conducted its first taxi trials on 1 July, and made its first flight on 24 August of the same year. The prototype 03 made its first flight in April 2004. On April 28 2006, the prototype 04 made its first flight with fully operational avionics.

Serial production was expected to begin in June 2006 and the first 16 aircraft would be rolled out in early 2007.Serial production from 2007-2008 will be at an annual 10-15 planes per year while in 2008+ it will be at 25-30 planes per year.

Present status

Looking at the status of the development's work, the 4th prototype version of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet has successfully completed first operational flight in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday, March 10, 2006. The 4th prototype of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet is a multi-role fighter-bomber and is capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The fighter jet is equipped with advanced electronics and weapons systems. Pakistan will receive the first consignment of the aircraft in 2007, while the Aeronautical Complex Kamra will start manufacturing the JF-17 in March 2008.

The 4th prototype includes advanced features such as:

Initially, Pakistan wanted to use the Italian Grifo-S7 radar. However, the Chinese offer had some key advantages over the Italian one, such as compatibility with Chinese weapon systems.

It has all the standard electronic warfare systems, such as radar warning, missile approach warning, etc.

The JF-17 has two communication radios; one of them has the capacity for data link, receiving data from either a ground control center or an AWACS.

During maintenance time, when a notebook computer is plugged into the aircraft's avionics, all working parameters of the aircraft can be displayed on the notebook.

All weapon systems are designed to be compatible with both Western systems (ie. supporting MIL-STD-1760 data bus) and Russian systems (and Chinese systems also). At present, its standard missiles are the PL-9C for WVR combat and SD-10 BVRAAM for BVR combat. However, it also supports the AIM-9L/M Sidewinder, AIM-7F Sparrow and other missiles.

Prototypes and their roles

Designation Role
Prototype-01 For Flight Performance Verification
Prototype-02 Ground and Load Testing (Static Ground Testing)
Prototype-03 For Flight Performance Verification
Prototype-04 Weapons Integration And Avionics Testing
Prototype-05 Fatigue Testing (Static Ground Testing)

External links

See also

 

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
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