JF-17 THUNDER/ FC-1 (COCKPIT)

Cockpit and ergonomics
The aircraft has an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and related Head-Up Display (HUD). The EFIS uses three multi-function displays (MFD). Each individual display has a portrait orientation (height greater than width) and each can be configured to show any of the available information. A separate monochrome up-front control panel (UFCP) is located between the HUD and the centre display. Both the HUD and multifunction displays are compatible with the standard electro-optical targeting pod that can be carried externally.

When the Chinese Su-30MKK and Indian Su-30MKI were deployed in the humid subtropical and tropical zones, both experienced significant fogging problems with the Russian SILS-30 HUD. This was originally designed for the arid environment in arctic/subarctic zones, thus a great deal of effort was spent to solve this issue so that the holographic HUD of Chinese origin on JF-17 could be deployed in any environment like its western counterparts. Alternatively, western HUDs can be incorporated directly onto the aircraft with little effort due to the modular design and the adoption of the MIL-STD-1553B standard avionics. The HUD designed for the Chinese Chengdu J-10 multi-role fighter inherited the Russian/Soviet tradition of doubling as a radarscope, enabling the pilot to keep his eyes focused at infinity while working with his radar at the same time. This function, also available on JF-17, was originally reverse-engineered from MiG-23 fighters obtained from Egypt[citation needed] and was further expanded to include the projection of monochrome images from electro-optical pods carried by JF-17, though colour images still have to be displayed on the cockpit multi-function displays.

It is known that some kind of Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) system will be fitted to JF-17, although the exact type is yet to be determined. This system will allow the pilot to cue his heat-seeking missiles onto enemy aircraft by simply looking at the target.

The JF-17 has two communication radios, one of them having capacity for a data link. This can be used to exchange data with ground control centres, AWACS/AEW aircraft and other combat aircraft also equipped with data links.


[edit] Electro-optical systems
The JF-17 is full compatible with the Chinese developed electro-optical (optronics) system (the Type Hongguang-I Electro-optical radar (虹光-Ⅰ型光电雷达)) originally developed for the Chengdu J-10 fighter by Sichuan Changhong Electric Appliance Corporation. Currently this system doesn't fit internally on the aircraft and only podded versions are carried by production models of JF-17.

A Missile Approach Warning (MAW) system is also incorporated, using several optical sensors mounted on the airframe to provide the pilot with information on the direction of incoming missiles and time until they intercept the aircraft.


[edit] Electronic warfare
The aircraft is fitted with a radar warning receiver (RWR) and onboard electronic counter-measures (ECM) suite which can be enhanced by the addition of externally-mounted avionics pods:

BM/KG300G self protection jamming (ECM) pod
KZ900 electronic reconnaissance (SIGINT) pod

[edit] Radar
It has been disclosed by PAF Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed that Pakistan's JF-17s are equipped with the KLJ-7 radar.[11] This is a pulse doppler fire-control radar developed by China's Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET). It's multiple modes mean that it can engage targets in the air, on the ground or out at sea. Using the track-while-scan (TWS) mode, enemy aircraft can be engaged at beyond visual range (BVR) while the radar continues scanning for new threats. Close-in aerial combat and ground surveillance modes are also available.

This radar can reportedly manage up to 40 targets, monitor up to 10 of them in track-while-scan (TWS) mode and simultaneously fire on two BVR targets. The detection range for targets with a radar-cross section of up to 3 m2 is stated to be 120 km, or 50 km in look-down mode, while surface sea targets can be detected at up to 135 km. Target data is displayed on the multi-function display screens in the cockpit.

During the early prototype stage a number of radar systems were tested for both production and possible export versions. A number of other radars have also been considered for export versions of the aircraft, one of these is the Italian FIAR Grifo S7, which was tailored to meet the PAF's initial requirements.


[edit] Weaponry
JF-17 is designed to be compatible with Western weapon systems (ie. supporting MIL-STD-1760 data bus) as well as Chinese and Pakistani systems also. A total of 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) of weaponry can be mounted externally on the JF-17.[12]

One internal GSh-23-2 twin-barrel 23mm[13] cannon, which can be replaced with a GSh-30-2 30mm twin-barrel cannon, is fitted under JF-17's port side air intake.[14]

As the JF-17 is primarily an export-oriented fighter, it can be modified according a customer's specifications to use a variety of Western as well as Chinese air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon systems. JF-17 has the ability to deploy advanced Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles as well as other short-range air-to-air missiles. In addition, the aircraft can deploy a wide range of unguided bombs, rockets and precision-guided munitions (PGM). Certain types of weapons, such as the Russian BAK series of laser guided bombs, need special adapter rails to be fitted to the aircraft's weapon hardpoints.

The modular design of solid state avionics has enabled the data link for air-to-ground precision guided munitions to be carried internally, thus eliminating the need to carry external data link pods that are commonly used on Russian and Vietnam War era American systems. This only applies to GPS guided air-to-surface missiles, however, because for television, infra-red or laser-guided munitions, the aircraft lacks internal electro-optical targeting systems. This means an external electro-optical targeting pod must be carried such as the Chinese built Blue Sky navigation/attack pod.


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