JF-17 Block-3 -- Updates, News & Discussion

[StormBreaker]

Wait, further flights? What do you mean by that, the J-35 has already flown?

They are referring to B3...

 

[Akasa]

They are referring to B3...

We were discussing the J-35, as initially brought up by messiach.

 

[airomerix]

I saw a few guys claiming block 3 having a different design and hardpoints. That is not all the case.

JF-17 Block 3 is IDENTICAL to block 2 in almost all aspects externally.

The major differences include;

1) Revamped software to support and handle a variety of missions (ie. SEAD/DEAD)
2) New weapons such as PL-15, RAAD will be the highlights for block 3.
3) Improved engine performance. Turbines have been reworked to produce added thrust.
4) AESA radar (cannot disclose which one)
5) Turkish EW suite
6) Strengthened abdomen and wing roots to carry heavy weapons such as RAAD and PL-15s.
7) Recc pods will be fully operational.
8) Upgraded Link capability similar to F-16s. All JF-17s are able to communicate with SAAB's securely. Each JF-17 pilot would know what other JF-17 can see and what he is up to in a given mission. What are his fuel levels, what is the status of his weapons. It's a fully integrated system just like F-16's link 16 which Wg Cmdr Nouman Ali Khan leveraged to execute a mission beautifully.

In other words, IAF will be faced Block 52 category weapons systems that too in mass numbers in just 5 years from now. Production of Block 2 is slowing down and Block 3 will be produced from February 2020 at PAC.

The first two Block 3's are currently undergoing FCFs (functional check flights) and are expected to join PAF in February 2020.

On the export side, 08 Block 2's are to be delivered to Nigeria in 2020. Qatar and Malaysia are eyeing for Block 3.

In a nutshell, JF-17 program has been a blessing for Pakistan Air Force. Its only a matter of time when we will have access to EU hardware. The Block 4 is already on the charts and it will be nothing short of a Rafale as far as current plans are concerned.

I would be shitting my pants if I was IAF.

@waz @Windjammer @The Eagle @Trailer23 @Imran Khan

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

I saw a few guys claiming block 3 having a different design and hardpoints. That is not all the case.

JF-17 Block 3 is IDENTICAL to block 2 in almost all aspects externally.

The major differences include;

1) Revamped software to support and handle a variety of missions (ie. SEAD/DEAD)
2) New weapons such as PL-15, RAAD will be the highlights for block 3.
3) Improved engine performance. Turbines have been reworked to produce added thrust.
4) AESA radar (cannot disclose which one)
5) Turkish EW suite
6) Strengthened abdomen and wing roots to carry heavy weapons such as RAAD and PL-15s.
7) Recc pods will be fully operational.
8) Upgraded Link capability similar to F-16s. All JF-17s are able to communicate with SAAB's securely. Each JF-17 pilot would know what other JF-17 can see and what he is up to in a given mission. What are his fuel levels, what is the status of his weapons. It's a fully integrated system just like F-16's link 16 which Wg Cmdr Nouman Ali Khan leveraged to execute a mission beautifully.

In other words, IAF will be faced Block 52 category weapons systems that too in mass numbers in just 5 years from now. Production of Block 2 is slowing down and Block 3 will be produced from February 2020 at PAC.

The first two Block 3's are currently undergoing FCFs (functional check flights) and are expected to join PAF in February 2020.

On the export side, 08 Block 2's are to be delivered to Nigeria in 2020. Qatar and Malaysia are eyeing for Block 3.

In a nutshell, JF-17 program has been a blessing for Pakistan Air Force. Its only a matter of time when we will have access to EU hardware. The Block 4 is already on the charts and it will be nothing short of a Rafale as far as current plans are concerned.

I would be shitting my pants if I was IAF.

@waz @Windjammer @The Eagle @Trailer23 @Imran Khan

The apparent lack of HMD/S and HOBS AAM is a bummer though, total reliance on BVR as Indians will have unequivocal advantage at WVR via their HMD/S & HOBS capabilities.

 

[IceCold]

The apparent lack of HMD/S and HOBS AAM is a bummer though, total reliance on BVR as Indians will have unequivocal advantage at WVR via their HMD/S & HOBS capabilities.

I thought HMD and HOBS were two things along with an AESA radar that would be the hallmark of Block-3 considering what we will be up against, how come the very basic requirement that led to block 3 are now being let go? This makes no sense at all.

 

[Bilal.]

Seems like block 3 is turning out to be more of a block 2.5 considering that once HMD/HOBs, chin hard-points for pods, RD93MA and IRST were in scope...

 

[GumNaam]

I thought HMD and HOBS were two things along with an AESA radar that would be the hallmark of Block-3 considering what we will be up against, how come the very basic requirement that led to block 3 are now being let go? This makes no sense at all.

It's not the aircraft but the HOBS integrated missile like the aim9x. I don't know which version of the PL9 China has that is the same category as the aim9x but once it's available, integrating it within the JF17 would be a nonissue.
@airomerix your thoughts good sir?

 

[TheDarkKnight]

The apparent lack of HMD/S and HOBS AAM is a bummer though, total reliance on BVR as Indians will have unequivocal advantage at WVR via their HMD/S & HOBS capabilities.

Wasn’t there a Chinese solution in works?
@airomerix @Dazzler
I also believe once we have a system available, it can be added to the aircraft as an upgrade - including block 1 and 2.

 

[AwA.]

It's not the aircraft but the HOBS integrated missile like the aim9x. I don't know which version of the PL9 China has that is the same category as the aim9x but once it's available, integrating it within the JF17 would be a nonissue.
@airomerix your thoughts good sir?

Pl-10 is the Chinese HOBS missile comparable to Aim-9x.
Pl-10 will definitely be integrated with Block-III, may be with the later batches of the block.

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

2) New weapons such as PL-15, RAAD will be the highlights for block 3.

I think ground clearance was a problem for RA'AD integeration in Block I and IIs. Is it solved then?

Strengthened abdomen and wing roots to carry heavy weapons such as RAAD and PL-15s.

Will it be able to carry 4 PL 15s?

The Block 4 is already on the charts and it will be nothing short of a Rafale as far as current plans are concerned.

But Block 4 will literally take much years then just like what happened with Block 3 when India will be planning for a 5th gen fighter. Block 4s will probably gonna be launched when Rafales will be fully integerated and operational in thier airforce

It's not the aircraft but the HOBS integrated missile like the aim9x. I don't know which version of the PL9 China has that is the same category as the aim9x but once it's available, integrating it within the JF17 would be a nonissue.

Is PL 10 available for Pakistan @LKJ86?

AESA radar (cannot disclose which one)

Wont be surprised if it is KLJ 7A

 

[GriffinsRule]

I saw a few guys claiming block 3 having a different design and hardpoints. That is not all the case.

JF-17 Block 3 is IDENTICAL to block 2 in almost all aspects externally.

The major differences include;

1) Revamped software to support and handle a variety of missions (ie. SEAD/DEAD)
2) New weapons such as PL-15, RAAD will be the highlights for block 3.
3) Improved engine performance. Turbines have been reworked to produce added thrust.
4) AESA radar (cannot disclose which one)
5) Turkish EW suite
6) Strengthened abdomen and wing roots to carry heavy weapons such as RAAD and PL-15s.
7) Recc pods will be fully operational.
8) Upgraded Link capability similar to F-16s. All JF-17s are able to communicate with SAAB's securely. Each JF-17 pilot would know what other JF-17 can see and what he is up to in a given mission. What are his fuel levels, what is the status of his weapons. It's a fully integrated system just like F-16's link 16 which Wg Cmdr Nouman Ali Khan leveraged to execute a mission beautifully.

In other words, IAF will be faced Block 52 category weapons systems that too in mass numbers in just 5 years from now. Production of Block 2 is slowing down and Block 3 will be produced from February 2020 at PAC.

The first two Block 3's are currently undergoing FCFs (functional check flights) and are expected to join PAF in February 2020.

On the export side, 08 Block 2's are to be delivered to Nigeria in 2020. Qatar and Malaysia are eyeing for Block 3.

In a nutshell, JF-17 program has been a blessing for Pakistan Air Force. Its only a matter of time when we will have access to EU hardware. The Block 4 is already on the charts and it will be nothing short of a Rafale as far as current plans are concerned.

I would be shitting my pants if I was IAF.

@waz @Windjammer @The Eagle @Trailer23 @Imran Khan

Some nice updates and while other let downs. I was hoping it would carry South African AAMs.
Also, any indication why the change from Spanish to Turkish EW systems and would all prior blocks get their's replaced too?

 

[The Eagle]

It's not the aircraft but the HOBS integrated missile like the aim9x. I don't know which version of the PL9 China has that is the same category as the aim9x but once it's available, integrating it within the JF17 would be a nonissue.
@airomerix your thoughts good sir?

Next Gen AAM is into the game here and surely going to be the part of Block-III. Expecting a lot.

 

[GumNaam]

I think we are just wasting our time by dreaming, corruption is at peak so be ready for another Junk Fighter Block 3 lol

you've mistaken us for indiots.

 

[StormBreaker]

The apparent lack of HMD/S and HOBS AAM is a bummer though, total reliance on BVR as Indians will have unequivocal advantage at WVR via their HMD/S & HOBS capabilities.

Don’t get emotional so soon, this feature can come up as an upgrade eventually not just for Block 3 but i guess the earlier blocks as well as their upgrade is mostly on integration and software upgrade.

What we have interesting here is, where will we go to get the HMDS. With a bit warming up with US, we can very well expect JHCMS since we are already operating them on block 52, or we might have to wait another 2 years for Chinese system to come to par or (even ourselves ? Since we operate JHCMS, experience of usage).

you've mistaken us for indiots.

Ignore...

Next Gen AAM is into the game here and surely going to be the part of Block-III. Expecting a lot.

Are we allowed to integrate US origin AAMs to thunders ?
Because if we can, then we can use JHCMS with AIM-9X provided that we are sold this system

 

[The Eagle]

Are we allowed to integrate US origin AAMs to thunders ?
Because if we can, then we can use JHCMS with AIM-9X provided that we are sold this system

No. Not unless we have our own Radar or western or compatible with US Weapon. No OEM will share codes to Chinese Radar and that has been discussed many times.