FOOLS_NIGHTMARE
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In this modern age of the 4th and 5th generation aircrafts one does overlook the important role the 2nd tier aircraft have had in the PAF to counter a vastly superior enemy.Conceived from the massive inputs from PAF( Gp Capt Kaiser Tufail and Wg Cdr Jamshed Khan) and upgraded with Western radars and avionics,F-7PG and its earlier variants had been the back bone for the PAF for many decades.
Double Delta Wings
The F-7PG has a double-delta wing planform, which offers an excellent solution to a slender delta’s inherent low aspect ratio problem. The strong vortex of the inner wing re-energises the boundary layer of the outer wing, preventing span-wise flow towards the tips. This allows even more-carefree manoeuvring at ultra-low speeds.
Major Improvements
More powerful WP-13 Engine, improvement in acceleration time from 500 kph to 1100 kph and an equally impressive time-to-climb to 36,000 AMSL. More powerful Grifo-MG radar with better ECCM, look-down and shoot-down capabilities than its predecessor Grifo-Mk-II. The number of targets can be tracked simultaneously increased from the original 4 of the Grifo-Mk-II to a total of 8 of the Grifo-MG. Regarding modern avionics upgrades these included a Stores Management System, which is essentially a useful cockpit-pilot interface to help establish the status of stores including configuration, fusing and weapon codes etc. A voice warning system, colour video recorder, elaborate cockpit lighting and a more precise and jitter–free AOA probe are nice-to-have improvements. The colour EFIS includes two displays, one for the attitude and the other for the heading and navigation sub-systems like ADF, VOR, TACAN, ILS etc
FT-7PG trainer variant
FT-7 trainer variant of the F-7PG for the Pakistani Air Force are also equipped with Grifo-MG radars. The rear seat is 0.5 metre higher than the front seat, so the periscope is eliminated.
F-7PG in different exercises
DACT with F-16s,Mirages and Thunders take place on frequent basis and PAF is more than happy with its dog fighting skills. DACT with US F-14s and F-18s with the earlier variants F-7Ps also proved their worth.
The F-7PGs are regular participants in the Shaheen series of exercises and fared well with the J10s,J11s and other PLAAF aircrafts.
During Exercise Iron Falcon 2009 PAF pitted the nimble F-7PG against the mighty F-22,F-16E,Mirage-2000 and others. PAF F-7PG pilot got the opportunity to practice extensively against the Raptors as well as the Block-60 Vipers.Though outclassed by the Raptors, they gained alot of appreciation by the Raptor pilots.
CONCLUSION
The F-7PG has considerably improved subsonic and transonic flight performance than its predecessor. Coupled with excellent turning capability and acceleration, it has an enhanced combat potential . The Grifo-7/AIM-9L combination on board PAF’s F-7PG brings the aircraft much closer to the F-16 in close combat capabilities, the PAF must be credited with extracting the maximum from an innovatively redesigned low-cost fighter. There is also no doubt that F-7PGs with PAF pilots do form a lethal combination for any enemy they face.
Double Delta Wings
The F-7PG has a double-delta wing planform, which offers an excellent solution to a slender delta’s inherent low aspect ratio problem. The strong vortex of the inner wing re-energises the boundary layer of the outer wing, preventing span-wise flow towards the tips. This allows even more-carefree manoeuvring at ultra-low speeds.
Major Improvements
More powerful WP-13 Engine, improvement in acceleration time from 500 kph to 1100 kph and an equally impressive time-to-climb to 36,000 AMSL. More powerful Grifo-MG radar with better ECCM, look-down and shoot-down capabilities than its predecessor Grifo-Mk-II. The number of targets can be tracked simultaneously increased from the original 4 of the Grifo-Mk-II to a total of 8 of the Grifo-MG. Regarding modern avionics upgrades these included a Stores Management System, which is essentially a useful cockpit-pilot interface to help establish the status of stores including configuration, fusing and weapon codes etc. A voice warning system, colour video recorder, elaborate cockpit lighting and a more precise and jitter–free AOA probe are nice-to-have improvements. The colour EFIS includes two displays, one for the attitude and the other for the heading and navigation sub-systems like ADF, VOR, TACAN, ILS etc
FT-7PG trainer variant
FT-7 trainer variant of the F-7PG for the Pakistani Air Force are also equipped with Grifo-MG radars. The rear seat is 0.5 metre higher than the front seat, so the periscope is eliminated.
F-7PG in different exercises
DACT with F-16s,Mirages and Thunders take place on frequent basis and PAF is more than happy with its dog fighting skills. DACT with US F-14s and F-18s with the earlier variants F-7Ps also proved their worth.
The F-7PGs are regular participants in the Shaheen series of exercises and fared well with the J10s,J11s and other PLAAF aircrafts.
During Exercise Iron Falcon 2009 PAF pitted the nimble F-7PG against the mighty F-22,F-16E,Mirage-2000 and others. PAF F-7PG pilot got the opportunity to practice extensively against the Raptors as well as the Block-60 Vipers.Though outclassed by the Raptors, they gained alot of appreciation by the Raptor pilots.
CONCLUSION
The F-7PG has considerably improved subsonic and transonic flight performance than its predecessor. Coupled with excellent turning capability and acceleration, it has an enhanced combat potential . The Grifo-7/AIM-9L combination on board PAF’s F-7PG brings the aircraft much closer to the F-16 in close combat capabilities, the PAF must be credited with extracting the maximum from an innovatively redesigned low-cost fighter. There is also no doubt that F-7PGs with PAF pilots do form a lethal combination for any enemy they face.
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