Fighter aircraft is one of the most important tool in combat-air dominancy is one of the factor which is highly consider in modern warfare several countries mostly rely on air power because of enough resources. Anyhow, the covering aspect of this bog is to discuss the capability of JF-17 Thunder Aircraft, the precise background of JF-17 or analyze its update variant JF-17 Block III briefly.
Background:
In the 1980s, United States and Pakistan worked closely to repel the soviets form Afghanistan, during those time Pakistan has signed a deal with US to acquire F-16s, 40 were received and 71 were to be delivered but delivery has been suspended since 1990.
Given the need of Pakistan Air Force, the alternatives of F-16 were considered, although still 3 squadron of F-16 is serving in PAF but it can't be enough especially on a current geopolitical environment. So, top military official decided to built own aircraft which can compete with modern aircraft.
Thus JF-17 has formally inducted in Pakistan Air Force by replacing Nanchang Q-5 (A-5) or F-7P/PG in 2007 on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
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| A-5 Pakistan |
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) jointly decides to work on an aircraft "JF-17" Thunder which is designated as Joint Fighter-17 by Pakistan and by China it was named as "FC-1 Xiaolong" Fighter China-1 Fierce Dragon.
PAC holds the right shares of 58% of the production of JF-17 airframe co-production work which comprising state of the art machines and human resource and 42% was of Chinese/Russian origin. The final assembly and flight testing activity were finalized at PAC. Besides upgrading the production system PAC has also upgraded its quality, technology and archive management systems.
Overview of JF-17 Thunder:
JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, single seat, light weight, low cost, single engine, fourth generation multi-role combat aircraft, it can be used for multiple roles including interception, ground attack, anti ship and aerial reconnaissance. The JF-17 is consider an asset for Pakistan Air Force. The production claim was 25 thunder aircraft per year.
Moreover, several countries admired its capability and shows their interest to acquire this aircraft. Due to its low cost and advanced capability its popularity has grown significantly all across the world.
Myanmar and Nigeria were the current operators of JF-17 Thunder, although the Nigerian Air Force has to received 3 JF-17 soon. In June, images surfaced of NGA pilots training on the JF-17 at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. On Nov 10 the NGA's Facebook account tweeted that the Makurdi Air Base was being modernized to accommodate the JF-17 fighters.
Newly inducted dual seat JF-17's:
On 30th December, 14 dual seat JF-17 fighter aircraft were inducted in PAF fleet. It will enable the PAF to further increase the pilot conversation rate and also enable fresh cadets to train directly on JF-17 thunder rather than F-7P, the buyer issue will be resolved due to dual seater and pilot got easily trained.
The fighter jet also equipped with new radar, Air Chief Said. At the inauguration ceremony, Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan also announced the the production of the highly advanced variant of JF-17 Thunder Block III- a 4.5 generation aircraft that would strengthen the PAF's Air Power, he added.
Specifications:
Physical Framework:
- Length 49ft
- Height 15.5ft
- Wingspan 31ft
- Empty Weight 14,520lb
Armament:
- No of Stations 07
- Total Load Capacity 3400lbs
- Guns 1x23mm GSh-23-2 twin barrel cannon
- Maximum Take off Weight 27,300lb
- Max Mach No 1.6
- Maximum Speed 7000knots IAS
- Service Ceiling 55,500
- Thrust Weight Ratio 0.95
- Maximum Engine Thrust 19,000lbs
- G Limit +8/-3
- Ferry Range 1,880NM
- Guns 1x23mm GSh-23-2 twin barrel cannon
Missiles:(Wikipedia)
Air-to-air Missiles:
- PL-5EII - (Infrared-homing short-range missile)
- PL-9 — (Infrared-homing short-range missile)
- R-Darter — (Radar-homing beyond visual range missile)
- PL-12 (SD-10A) — (Radar-guided beyond visual range missile)
- PL-15 — (Radar-guided beyond visual range missile) (planned for Block 3 variant)
Air-to-surface
missiles:
- LD-10 — (Anti-radiation missile)
- CM-102 — (Anti-radiation missile)
- MAR-1 — (Anti-radiation missile)
- Ra'ad-II — (Air-launched cruise missile)
Anti-ship
missiles:
- CM-400AKG — (Anti-ship missile)
- C-705KD — (Anti-ship missile)
- C-802AK — (Anti-ship missile)
JF-17 Thunder Block III:
The Block III update variant of JF-17 will be the the first 4.5 generation aircraft in PAF service with modern radar system, upgraded sensors, software, and engine to meet the emerging need. It is going to be equipped with PL-5 and PL-10 missiles that will surely enhance the current capability of JF-17 fighters, even though it'll surpass the F-16 Block-52 which is currently in PAF service.
The key aspect of the advanced variant include a new holographic head-up display, active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar, and new targeting and electronic warfare system and upgraded weapon.
The KLJ-7A radar was selected for Block III, though the report is not official, this radar was revealed in 2016 as potential option for JF-17, with a maximum range of 170km against a target with a radar cross-section RCS of 5m2. A/C to NRIET the KLJ-7A uses over 1,000 transmit/receive modules TRM, and is capable of tracking 15 targets simultaneously engaging four with that it has synthetic aperture radar which allow it to see through clouds.
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| KLJ-7A Radar |
As a observer I believe Block III would definitely attract international interest as it will be the only 4.5 generation swing role-aircraft and the cost surely opposed other competitors.
Very informative and interesting...
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