Block 2 JF-17 makes first flight ahead of Block 3 improvements

[Shariq786]

well honestly i was expecting alot from blck 2 and its dissapointment for me i don't think we should expect a big leap in blck 3 as well !!

 

[razgriz19]

[QUOTShariq786, post: 6923599, member: 163424"]well honestly i was expecting alot from blck 2 and its dissapointment for me i don't think we should expect a big leap in blck 3 as well !![/QUOTE]

What were you expecting?
It can fire Bvr, anti ship, precision guided, etc
It has an IFR probe, and better Ecm capabilities!
What more do you want?
Composite sounds fancy, but try repairing one! I'm guessing you have no idea how complicated and expensive it becomes to perform maintenance on composite structure.

 

[Dazzler]

View attachment 204515

specs for BLK 2 are not revealed yet. I dont think blk 2 configuration has changed much. Its mainly for BVR, C 802 and other all type of stand off weapons. The computer system MIl-1550 bus is replaced or upgraded to 1770 for compatibility for long range weapons like SD-10 etc

Mil1553 databus is for avionics while 1760 is for weapons. Both work as a single unit covering two different tasks. Already operational since the 4th prototype onwards.

Okay thanks for the clarification good news BLOCK II read and work on BLOCK III with AESA starts


No it was not @Oscar just cleared it for me

You are fast becoming nishan two and a real pain in the butt.

 

[Shariq786]

composite material does reduces the weight and enhances performance of an aircraft correct me if i m wrong i don't know much though your right about that but reducing weight wouldn't help in better maneuvering of aircraft and carrying of more payload and requiring less thrust to take off i know it will definitely require more maintenance but wouldn't it enhance its capabilities as well ??

 

[Dazzler]

Klj-7v2 up close...

 

[DrWatson775]

Block 2 JF-17 makes first flight ahead of Block 3 improvements

Publication:Jane's Defence Weekly
Last posted:2015-03-17

The first Block 2 JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft made its maiden flight from the Pakistan Aeronautical Company (PAC) facility at Kamra on 9 February.
The aircraft (serial number 2P01) made three more successful flights before being taken to the paint shop in mid-February. The test flights came as a boost as PAC continues to look for a first export customer for its platform.
Air Commodore Ahsan Rafiq, Deputy Chief Project Director (Operations) JF-17 and a former commanding officer of the JF-17 Test and Evaluation Unit, described the Block 2 version as "an upgraded Block 1 with an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) probe, enhanced oxygen system [to allow the pilot to stay in the air longer], and improved electronic countermeasures system (ECS)".
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has a contract for 50 Block 2 JF-17s but as Air Cdre Ahsan pointed out, "the full AAR system will not appear until the 29th jet, which should fly later this year [at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in China]."
In a further development that sends a clear signal that PAC and Chinese marketing partner CATIC intend business in the international arena, the Block 2 JF-17 will also have a two-seater version, which is now being developed at Chengdu according to the PAF's requirements.
"We know potential customers would like to see a two-seater, although it is not such a big deal for the PAF, which started flying several types, [A-5, F-6, F-7P and F-7PG] without a training version," Air Cdre Ahsan said. "This will give us the chance to show potential suitors how the jet can perform in the air."

COMMENT

Air Cdre Ahsan said that while Block 1 and 2 JF-17s will not differ significantly - with Block 1 JF-17's ECS likely to be upgraded when it suits the PAF, it will be a different story with the Block 3 series.
"We are still developing the Block 3 configuration, but it will be a considerably different aircraft compared to the previous two blocks," he said. "A new AESA [active electronically scanned array] radar will be integrated, but this is still in the design stage; however, we are looking at both Western and Eastern options."
Integrating an AESA with the SD-10A beyond-visual-range missile will provide the PAF and any other JF-17 operator with a long-range, all-aspect precision day and night engagement capability.
As the JF-17 continues to evolve, aircraft units will start coming off the PAC Kamra production line more quickly. The facility is also set to reach the 58% transfer of technology agreed with China, which had been previously slowed down to keep it in line with the plant's infrastructure and equipment growth.
It is suggesting when AESA would come than SD-10A can be fired from JF-17 at least that is what I am able to understand please explain Sir G @Dazzler ???????????

"integrating an AESA with the SD-10A beyond-visual-range missile will provide the PAF and any other JF-17 operator with a long-range, all-aspect precision day and night engagement capability."

Re the above.... doesn't the current radar and SD10 give the JF17 the same ability too.... i-e long-range, all-aspect precision day and night engagement capability???

 

[Zarvan]

Block one are already under going up gradation for Blk 2 standard and my info is that almost more than 30 are already put in service back after upgrading. Air commdr \Khalid in his interview also confirmed for upgraded BLK-1's.

Last year at the inauguration of blk 2 Nawaz Sharif visited where 109 was shown with IFR and missiles integrated . SD-10 and C-802. Later 129 was shown in some picture with some one in the forum stated for its confirmation.
The real excitement comes with the numbers stated of serial production that 29 aircraft's will be made up til end of this year and then few aircraft's will be shown with IFR probe. Its because first testing phases are completed and then all type of integrations starts like weapons and IFR .etc.

Well if your info is true than its great news

 

[Imtiaz_Sarwar]

This thread is good news about block 2. I hope on next year's 23 march parade we will see the air marshal flying in a JF-17 block 2 at supersonic speed instead of F-16.

 

[Shariq786]

[QUOTShariq786, post: 6923599, member: 163424"]well honestly i was expecting alot from blck 2 and its dissapointment for me i don't think we should expect a big leap in blck 3 as well !!

What were you expecting?
It can fire Bvr, anti ship, precision guided, etc
It has an IFR probe, and better Ecm capabilities!
What more do you want?
Composite sounds fancy, but try repairing one! I'm guessing you have no idea how complicated and expensive it becomes to perform maintenance on composite structure.

My question still stands sir
composite material does reduces the weight makes the airframe stronger and enhances performance of an aircraft correct me if i m wrong i don't know much though your right about that but reducing weight wouldn't help in better maneuvering of aircraft ??? it may also help in carrying more payload and requiring less thrust to take off i know it will definitely require more maintenance but wouldn't it enhance its capabilities as well ??

 

[salman-1]

China employs composite to air frames on those sections which take the stress most . Its main purpose is not to reduce weight much, but to re enforce the structure for better menuovering without having risk of skin ruptures. First picture clearly shows composites. In next pic of FC-20 shows pale yellow color for composites used. In Mirage pic I think for fitting IFR these yellow plates are of composite material for strengthening of stress taking parts of that area.

 

[razgriz19]

My question still stands sir
composite material does reduces the weight makes the airframe stronger and enhances performance of an aircraft correct me if i m wrong i don't know much though your right about that but reducing weight wouldn't help in better maneuvering of aircraft ??? it may also help in carrying more payload and requiring less thrust to take off i know it will definitely require more maintenance but wouldn't it enhance its capabilities as well ??

It will, no question about that.
But this is a trade between low cost and high tech. PAF went the low cost direction knowing our current financial situation.
However, I'm pretty darn sure most of the flight control surfaces, such as elevators, aileron, flaps, etc are made of composite. They started using composites in flight controls back in 70s.

 

[MastanKhan]

My question still stands sir
composite material does reduces the weight makes the airframe stronger and enhances performance of an aircraft correct me if i m wrong i don't know much though your right about that but reducing weight wouldn't help in better maneuvering of aircraft ??? it may also help in carrying more payload and requiring less thrust to take off i know it will definitely require more maintenance but wouldn't it enhance its capabilities as well ??

Hi,

Due to its size, it will never carry "enough" payload. It is a small aircraft and it has sufficient payload for its size.

 

[Thunder.Storm]

Consequently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is expected to induct only 100 JF-17s into service between this year and 2014, and subsequently switch over to the acquisition of another 150 JF-17-derived fifth-generation stealthy MRCAs between 2015 and 2025. Present plans call for the latter MRCA to be powered by SNECMA Moteurs’ M88-3 twin-shaft bypass turbofan, incorporate a digital glass cockpit and open-architecture avionics suite, and use SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems’ Vixen 500E X-band multi-mode active phased-array radar, or AESA, an integrated electronic warfare/defensive aids suite being developed by China’s CETC, along with a helmet-mounted sighting-cum-cueing system for which systems from THALES, BAE Systems and Denel Aerospace are being evaluated.


The M88 turbofan for this aircraft will have variable camber inlet guide vanes, while its high-pressure compressor will have a sixth stage, and its exhaust nozzle will be of the ejector type. The turbofan will deliver 50kN (11,250lb) of dry thrust and 75kN (17,000lb) with afterburning. The primary offensive armament to be carried by this aircraft will be two underwing-mounted Hatf-8 (also called ‘Raad’ or ‘thunder’ in Arabic) air-launched cruise missile, which has a range of 350km. For air combat engagements, the stealthy MRCA will be armed with three types of air-to-air missiles: 60km-range PL-12 beyond visual range missile; 15km-range PL-13 within visual range missile; and PL-14 ramjet-powered 100km-range missile. The latter two have been developed by China in cooperation with South Africa’s Denel Aerospace.

 

[Baloch Pakistani]

An important question. Do these jf-17's have drop tanks that are air-refuable through the aircraft itself ? Bcz this is not always the case.

 

[Sine Nomine]

Klj-7v2 up close...

What is that sir..