J-10B/C Vigorous Dragon
The latest 1035 prototype of the
J-10B (K/JJ10B?) was photographed at CAC airfield in July 2011, revealing the indigenous WS-10B (?) turbofan engine. This much improved variant made its maiden flight on December 23, 2008, powered by a Russian AL-31FN engine (1031 prototype). The improvements include a DSI/bump engine inlet which not only cuts weight but also reduces RCS, after a similar design was first tested onboard
FC-1/JF-17. The aircraft also features a
J-11B style IRST/LR, a
JF-17 style
glass cockpit with a wide-angle holographic HUD, and an HMDS. The new IRST allows passive detection of enemy aircraft, making
J-10B more stealthy in combat. Its nose appears flatter too, similar to that of American F-16, housing fire-control radar which could be an X-band
AESA developed by the 14th Institute (track 10, engage 4 simultaneously), the first of such type ever being developed for a Chinese fighter aircraft, giving
J-10B a stronger multi-target engagement and ECCM capability. It was rumored that initially the aircraft was planned to fit a PESA radar developed by the 607 Institute but in the end this proposal was rejected by PLAAF in favor of an AESA radar. An ECM antenna can also be seen right in front of the canard foreplane on 1035. Two large pods housing testing equipments were attached under the wings. The tip of vertical tailfin was redesigned as well, featuring a large fairing containing communication and ECM antennas, which resembles that of French Mirage 2000. A rear facing MAWS sensor can be seen underneath the parachute boom. A similar system was tested onboard
FC-1/JF-17. RAM coating is also expected in certain areas such as engine inlet and wing leading edges to reduce RCS. The aircraft may be fitted with CFTs in the future to further extend its range. All these improvements suggest that
J-10B is equipped with a new generation of integrated electronic system, ranging from radar to EW system. Its mission may be changed from air-superiority to multi-role, such as CAS or EW. For air-superiority mission, normally
6 AAMs (PL-12x4 + PL-8x2, PL-12s are carried underneath the twin-rail launch pylon) can be carried. For CAS mission, normally 2 KD-88 AGMs or LS-500J LGBs can be carried. In addition, the aircraft is expected to be powered eventually by a
WS-10B turbofan after its reliability issues have been resolved. Overall
J-10B is thought to be comparable to American F-16E/Block 60. The 03 prototype (1033) first flew in August 2009, with the pitot tube removed from the nose tip. Both 1031 & 1034 prototypes have been tested at CFTE.
J-10B is likely to serve as a testbed for various advanced technologies adopted by the 4th generation
J-20 currently under development at CAC thus may not enter the service in large quantity with PLAAF. Recent images (March 2013) indicated that the
1031 prototype has been modified with ECM antennas installed ahead of the canard foreplanes similar to those onboard 1035, which represents the final configuration before the production. The production of
J-10B finally started in 2013 after some delay, due to the availability of a suitable engine. It was speculated that the first batch of production
J-10Bs will be powered by Russian AL-31FN engine and could enter the service with PLAAF 44th Division as early as late 2013. It was rumored in June 2013 that a further upgraded semi-stealth multi-role variant (
J-10C) with enhanced 4th generation electronics including a more powerful AESA radar, more composite material and a more powerful engine was under development. The latest images (December 2013) indicated the
01 batch have been produced and are preparing for the delivery. Meanwhile the
J-10C 2-01 prototype took to the sky for the first time on December 31, 2013. The aircraft appears to have high similarity with
J-10B except an extra yellow antenna on its back.
J-10C
J-10B
check the series numbers
