This month's edition of "Combat Aircraft" features what has to be the first, detailed article to discuss the projected size and expected capabilities of China's Chengdu J-10 fighter:
Drawing on photographic evidence, leaked information, and engineering analysis, the new article makes a convincing argument that the J-10 is more than just another pretty face.
To summarize some some of the major arguments:
*Like any multirole fighter-bomber, the J-10 was developed with a bias towards fulfilling certain roles. Based on the overall dimensions of the airplane, and its projected dry weight, fuel capacity, and payload capacity, the J-10 appears to have been biased in favor of the air-to-ground role rather than the air-to-air role.
*As such, the J-10 is most easily compared to the Block 50/52+ versions of the F-16, rather than to some of the Eurocanard fighters such as the Typhoon or Rafale.
*By virtue of its relatively low wing loading (and canard configuration), the J-10 can be expected to have exceptional instantaneous turn capabilities. Its thrust loading, however, is relatively modest, meaning that most Western fighters would have an advantage in terms of acceleration.
*What strikes me about this comparison, is that it is reminiscent of the old MiG-15 / Sabre match-up, or of the advantage that the MiG-21 had over most Western fighters of its day. The J-10 appears to be similarly poised to deliver a painful surprise to any inexperienced pilot who attempts to engage it in a turning manuever, but is vulnerable in other areas of its envelope.
*In the air-to-ground role, the capabilities of the J-10 are expected to be truly impressive. It is projected to possess both a payload capacity, and range that put to shame many similarly sized, or even larger airplanes:
"When measured as a multirole, attack platform rather than as a purely air-to-air fighter, the potential for the J-10 to alter the strategic equation in the Far East should become readily evident. In terms of its maximum payload capability, the J-10 is projected to have a maximum weapons load in excess of 9,500-kg (19,850-lb), when outfitted with bombs and missiles for a short-range attack mission. This compares to a maximum payload of 4,000-kg (8,820-lb) for the similarly sized MiG-29S, or 8,000-kg (17,640-lb) for the much larger Su-30."
Statistics for the J-10 were quoted as follows:
Length ........................ 16.5 m
Height ......................... 6.0 m
Wing Span ..................... 11.3 m
Gross Wing Area ............... 45.5 sq m
Empty Weight .................. 9730 kg
Max Internal Fuel ............. 4470 kg
Max Take-Off Weight .......... 24650 kg
Max Thrust ................... 125.5 kN
For the J-10 to have merited an investigative article of this detail is truly a coming-of-age for the Chinese aviation industry.
, and cheers
for J-10's success
