Major Changes Ahead on JF-17 Block-3

JF-17 III: Major Changes Ahead on JF-17 Block-3

JF-17 III: Major Changes Ahead on JF-17 Block-3

By Bilal Khan

Previous articles on Quwa discussed why the JF-17 is a significant advancement for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Not only is the JF-17 an effective multi-role platform that is poised to form the backbone of the PAF fighter fleet, but it is immune to sanctions, and it is a program that Pakistan ‘owns’ in terms of being able to freely decide on how to equip and develop it. With this article, it would be a good idea to have a clearer understanding of exactly what the PAF has in store for the JF-17 in the coming years in terms of its upgrade and development path. By the end of this piece, there should be little doubt in the seriousness of the PAF in as far as its commitment to the JF-17 is concerned.

The first upgrade to the JF-17 is at this time coming through the Block-2. The first JF-17 Block-2 made its maiden flight in February 2015, and it is the current production type rolling out of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. The Block-2 is at heart an iterative update, so it would not be right to assume that it includes significant improvements or changes over the Block-1 currently in service.

Arguably, the most significant change in the Block-2 is the incorporation of an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) probe, and this will enable the JF-17 to refuel in-flight with the support of the PAF’s IL-78 tankers. The Block-2 also incorporates improvements in the JF-17’s avionics and electronic suites, but there are no specific details. There are rumours about a KLJ-7V2 pulse-Doppler radar with increased range, but this has not been confirmed by the PAF or PAC. If one were to simply refer to this piece by Jane’s, it would seem that the Block-2’s goal is to increase the JF-17’s flight-time (via in-flight refuelling and improved oxygen systems) and mission usefulness (in-flight refuelling can free up hard-points that would otherwise be used for external fuel-tanks). The 51st to 100th JF-17s will be Block-2.

The first major jump is in reality the JF-17 Block-3, which is currently in development. There are no known airframe updates or changes in the Block-3, but in terms of electronics, it is essentially confirmed that the JF-17 Block-3 will house an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Helmet Mounted Display and Sight (HMD/S) system, and possibly an additional hard-point suitable for specialized targeting and tracking pods. This article will breakdown each of these aspects, but if taken together (alongside a suitably upgraded avionics and ECM/EW suite), the Block-3 is positioned to be a significant upgrade.

Details are explored in detail at: JF-17 III: Major Changes Ahead on JF-17 Block-3

 

The Block-3 was explicitly confirmed by the PAF on numerous occasions, especially during the Paris Air Show.

 

My recollection is that first 50 are Block-1, next 50 Block-2, next 50 Block-3. And then for mid-life-update, Block-1 and Block-2 will be upgraded to Block-3. I don't there are any significant airframe changes to Block-1, 2 or 3, so the powerplant will remain as RD-93.

If there is a Block-4, then we might see serious airframe changes, probably in making the airframe lighter, possibly improving out-of-cockpit visibility and situational awareness, possibly new power-plant. For all intents and purposes, Block-4 could end up being a mostly different fighter, akin to F-16C vs. F-16A.