JF-17 Thunder

Presentation

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INTRODUCTION
The PAC JF17 THUNDER also designated CAC FC-1 XIALONG is a light weight single engine , multiple combat aircraft developed jointly by the CHENGDAU AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES ICORPORATION OF CHINA , the PAKISTAN AIRFORCE and the PAKISTAN AERONAUTICAL COMPLEX..
The JF17 was primarily developed to meet the requirements of PAKISTAN AIRFORCE for a cost effective , modern , multi role combat aircraft as an inexpensive replacement for its large fleet of NANCHANG A-5 bombers, CHENGDU F-7 inceptors and DISSAULT MIRAGE 111/5 fighters
Pakistan and China signed the contract to jointly develop the FC-1 / Super 7 in 1999. Pace of design was very slow.The maiden test flight of the first prototype took place during 2003 in China, the Pakistani designation Super 7 being replaced with JF-17, and later test flights with a modified design occurred in 2006. The Pakistan Air Force officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron on 18 February 2010 with 14 aircraft.
The JF-17 is expected to cost approximately US$15 million per unit[and the Pakistan Air Force has a confirmed order for 150 JF-17's, which may increase to 250 aircraft.t was reported in 2008 that Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe had placed orders for the aircraft and nine other countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmer, Egypt , Iran , Lebanon, Malaysia, Morroco ,Nigeria , SriLanka and were showing interest.

HISTORY OF JF17
China and Grumman (USA) signed a $550 million agreement to modernize 55 J-7 Fighters under the project called “Super-7″. However the project was cancelled due to political problems and significant increases in the cost.
As substitute to Super-7, China started the FC-1 project. In February 1992, CATIC (China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation) invited the Pakistan to invest in the project in return for huge Transfer of Technology and participation in R&D of the project. Pakistan Accepted. The First Flight was planned in 1996, but it got delayed because Pakistan wished to upgrade the characteristics in response to India’s acquisitions of Su-30MKI. The project began to Stagnate.  But in 1998, Pakistani PM’s visit to China resulted in the continuation of the Programme.  In 1999, sanctions on Pakistan led to serious setbacks on the programme. Pakistan hoped to install Western Avionics on the plane, which was now not possible. Year 2001 saw the changes in approach to develop the fighter plane. The development of airframe was de-linked from the development of Avionics. The Comprehensive design was completed in September 2002 while the development of different aircraft systems progressed. The First Aircraft was assembled by May 2003.
After the completion of design work in 2001, JF-17 did its maiden flight in 2003. Airframe was then redesigned according to modern standards and implemented in Prototype 4 of the JF-17 which included DSI air intakes, New Landing Gear, modified rudder and tail compartment etc. First delivery to the PAF took place in 2007 when 2 fighters landed at Kamra , AFB which later took part in 23rd March parade of 2007. In the three years, PAF received 14 more jets and on 18th of February, 2010, PAF inducted JF-17 in its No. 26 fighter Squadron known as “Spiders” which was based at Peshawar AFB replacing the A-5C Fantans. Following the induction, PAF added two locally manufactured JF-17s to its fleet and now the serial local manufacturing of JF-17 is underway.

FEATURES
The avionics software of JF-17 is based on civilian C++ Language which makes its Motorolla 88000 microprocessor functional which then powers the avionics of JF-17 Thunder. The aircraft’s glass cockpit incorporates an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and a wide-angle holographic Heads-Up Display (HUD), which has a minimum total field view of 25 degrees. The EFIS is made up of three color multi-function displays (MFD) providing basic flight information, tactical information and information on the engine, fuel, electrical, hydraulics, flight control and environment control systems. The aircraft is also equipped with Fly by Wire [FBW] control system which controls the movement through its own computer.
For primary means on communication, the JF-17 is equipped with VHF/UHF radios.. For defensive purposes, the JF-17 is equipped with Radar Warning Receiver which warns the pilot for any incoming Radar guided missile or even any missile lock. Furthermore, Chaff and Flares are also to be used as the last line of defense against the incoming missiles.
Air Weapons Complex has also designed the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrument [ACMI] which records and simulates the actions taken by the aircraft during combat and training exercises. 
The JF-17 is equipped with single Russian made RD-93 Turbofan engine which produces 19000lb of thrust enabling the aircraft to achieve the 0.99 Thrust to Weight Ratio [TWR]. RD-93 will soon be replaced with Chinese made WS-13 which generates more power and has relatively low operational costs

WEAPONS
JF-17 is expected to perform all the roles which currently PAFs collective fleet of A-5s, F-7s and Mirages perform. For this purpose, Jf-17 is equipped with 7 external hard points, 2 on wing tips for air to air missiles, 4 under wings and a single center-line hard point. These hard points can carry state of the art weapons both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface.
The primary air to air Beyond Visual Range [BVR] missile of JF-17 is Chinese made SD-10 which has maximum range of 100kms. It is the latest missile which the Peoples Republic of China Air Force is using on their latest J-10 Vanguards, which are sought to be the most lethal fighters in Chinese inventory. For With-in-Visual Range [WVR] or short range missiles, JF-17 can carry Chinese made PL-5C, PL-7, American origin AIM-9L/M Sidewinder, South African A darter, French made MICA air to air missile and Russian made Aspide air to air missiles. They have a operational ranges ranging from 1km to 18km except for A darter which has an operational range of 60km.

SPECIFICATIONS
General
Crew ONE
Maiden Flight AUGUST 2003
Type MULTI ROLE
Cost $15M - $25M
Dimensions
Length 14.9 m 49 FT
Height 4.77 m 15.6 ft
Wing Area 24.4 m² 263 ft²
Weights
Empty Weight 6,411 kg 14,134 lb
MaxTake-Off Weight 12,474 kg 27,500 lb
Max, Landing Weight 7,802 kg 17,200 lb
Fuel Weight 2,268 kg 5000 lb

THE FUTURE
PAF intends to induct JF-17 in mass number. Order for 250 jets has already taken place which includes the batch of first 50 fighters equipped with Chinese avionics and radar system. Whereas the rest of the batches will be integrated with non-Chinese hardware. Being an infant platform, JF-17 has a lot of room for improvement which includes equipping of JF-17 with Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, advance armament like American made AIM-120C AMRAAMs, AIM-9X Sidewinder, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), South African R-Darter etc.
Several nations have expressed their interest in JF-17 which includes Azerbaijan, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh and Philippines. China is also reported to have plans regarding the induction of JF-17 in their front line Squadro