https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAC/PAC_JF-17_Thunder
The PAC JF-17 Thunder, or CAC FC-1 Xiaolong (Fierce Dragon; Chinese: ??; pinyin:
developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu
Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China. The JF-17 can be used for aerial
reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception. Its designation "JF-17"
by Pakistan is short for "Joint Fighter-17", while the designation and name
"FC-1 Xiaolong" by China means "Fighter China-1 Fierce Dragon".
The JF-17 can deploy diverse ordnance, including air-to-air and air-to-surface
missiles, and a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon. Powered by a Guizhou
WS-13 or Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan it has a top speed of Mach 1.6. The
JF-17 is to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), complementing
the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon whose performance it roughly matches,
at half the cost.
The JF-17 was primarily developed to meet the PAF's requirement for an
affordable, modern, multi-role combat aircraft as a replacement for its large
fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters, Nanchang A-5 bombers, and Chengdu F-7
interceptors, with a cost of US$500 million, divided equally between China and
Pakistan. The aircraft was also intended to have export potential as a
cost-effective and competitive alternative to more expensive Western fighters.
The development of this aircraft was headed by Yang Wei (aircraft designer), who
is considered China's "ace designer". Wei also designed the Chengdu J-20.
The first two blocks of JF-17 is powered by a single Russian RD-93 turbofan
engine, which is a variant of the RD-33 engine used on the MiG-29 fighter. The
engine gives more thrust and significantly lower specific fuel consumption than
turbojet engines fitted to older combat aircraft being replaced by the JF-17.
The advantages of using a single engine are a reduction in maintenance time and
cost when compared to twin-engined fighters. A thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.99
can be achieved with full internal fuel tanks and no external payload. The
engine's air supply is provided by two bifurcated air inlets (see airframe
section). The RD-93 is known to produce smoke trails.
Role
Multirole combat aircraft
National origin
China / Pakistan
Manufacturer
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group / Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
First flight
25 August 2003
Introduction
12 March 2007
Status
In service
Primary user
Pakistan Air Force
Produced
Number built
100 + (including prototype)
Program cost
US$500 million
Unit cost
Block 1: US$~25 million
Block 2: US$ ~28 million
Block 3: US$ ~32 million(Planned)
Small batch production of the single-seat, single-engine JF-17s began in China
in June 2006. The first two small-batch-produced aircraft were delivered on 2
March 2007 and first flew in Pakistan on 10 March. They took part in an aerial
display on 23 March 2007 as part of the Pakistan Day Joint Services Parade in
Islamabad. Another six small-batch-produced aircraft were delivered by March
2008. These were extensively flight-tested and evaluated by the PAF. Two serial
production aircraft were delivered from China in 2009 and the first
Pakistani-manufactured aircraft was delivered to the PAF in a ceremony on 23
November 2009.
On 18 February 2010, the first JF-17 squadron, No. 26 Black Spiders, was
officially inducted into the PAF with an initial strength of 14 fighter planes.
These aircraft first saw service in the anti-terrorist operation in South
Waziristan, during which various types of weapons were evaluated.
Specifications (Block 1)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 14.93 m (49 ft)
Wingspan: 9.45 m (31 ft, including 2 wingtip missiles)
Height: 4.72 m (15 ft 6 in)
Empty weight: 6,586 kg (14,520 lb)
Useful load: 3600kg ()
Loaded weight: 9,100 kg (20,062 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 12,500 kg (28,000 lb)
(11,106 lbf / 11,510 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 84.6 kN (19,000 lbf)
G-limit: +8 g / -3 g
Internal Fuel Capacity: 2,350 kg (5,130 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (1,217.9 mph; 1,960.1 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,352 km (840 mi)
Ferry range: 3,482 km (1,880 NM)
Service ceiling: 16,920 m (55,500 ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.95
Armament
Hardpoint); pylon stations number 3, 4 and 5 are wet-plumb capable) with a
capacity of 8,001 lb (3,629 kg) for external fuel and ordnance
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