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

[MastanKhan]

Lately, i have been giving this a thought,
@araz @waz @MastanKhan @Windjammer @Dazzler @JamD ,

Since, we aren’t in a hurry to acquire a complete 5th gen aircraft, that doesn’t mean that we can’t integrate 5th Gen avionics on our Thunders.
Isn’t that what Thunder program is all about ? Providing us with latest solutions in good price tag ?

So,
The elements of 5th gen i am referring to are non other than EOTS and Sensor Fusion.

This could be done on Block 4, and it would benefit us by giving a first hand experience on 5th gen avionics as well as how to improvise them for future.

China can assist in that as well !!!

A J-20 cockpit can as well come in future with single wide screen MFD.

EOTS module is nothing that big to fit in, sizes around 80x80x80cm plus minus.

Just think !!!

Hi

That is the sop of every fighter aircraft manufacturer to test the equipment to be used on the next coming aircraft ahead of time.

 

[Dazzler]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defenc...-year-with-jf-17-j-20-progress/135976.article

The Block III version of the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter has conducted its maiden flight, and China appears to be making progress with indigenous engines for the J-20 stealth fighter.

Social media accounts covering Chinese defence aerospace developments were busy over the holidays, with two notable developments.

Source: Weibo @JacKsonbobo

The JF-17 Block III takes off on its maiden sortie.

On 27 December 2019 images emerged of the JF-17 Block III taking flight from AVIC’s production centre in Chengdu. One image showed the jet taking off before a group of seated VIPs, with a banner celebrating the event hanging from a building.

At the Paris air show last June, an official with the programme said the first flight of the Block III would occur before the end of 2019.

Visually, it is hard to detect many differences between earlier versions of the JF-17 and the new Block III. One notable difference appears to be a considerably larger heads-up display similar to that observed on the J-20.

In addition, there appear to be the addition of a radar warning receivers aft of the aircraft intakes and on the tail. At Paris, the programme official said a key structural difference with the Block III would be a larger intake. In early images of the Block III, however, the intake appears similar to the Block I and II.

Irrespective of appearances, the most profound change for the new version will be the addition of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. As of June 2019 the type of radar had yet to be decided, but FlightGlobal understood that two were in contention: the China Electronics Technology Group KLJ-7A, and an AESA from AVIC that it claims is the first air-cooled example.

The Block III will also have new integrated electronic warfare suite.

Source: Weibo @JacKsonbobo

The WS-10 engines can be distinguished by the saw-toothed design of the exhaust petals.

Separately, images emerged of a pair of new J-20s apparently powered by the Shenyang WS-10 Taihang engine, as opposed to the upgraded version of the Saturn AL-31 that powers most examples . The WS-10 – which also powers the Shenyang J-11B, an Su-27 clone - features saw-toothed exhaust petals, whereas the AL-31 has flush exhaust petals. Internet observers believe that only four WS-10 powered J-20s have been produced.

The definitive powerplant for the J-20 is understood to be the more powerful Xian Aero Engine WS-15 Emei, but the timeline for its integration and testing are not clear.

Source: AVIC via Weibo

The mystery aircraft profile posted by AVIC on Weibo.

Coinciding with the JF-17 and J-20 news, AVIC’s Weibo account published the outline of a stealthy aircraft resembling the developmental FC-31, with a reference to the recent commissioning of Beijing’s second carrier, the CNS Shandong. In Chinese, the caption states “brief introduction to future shipborne fighter.”

The status of the J-31/FC-31 is unclear, but there has been speculation that it will be developed as a carrier-based fighter – there is similar speculation about the larger J-20. Chinese carriers currently operate the J-15, a copy of the Sukhoi Su-33, but reports suggest that the navy has suffered reliability and safety issues with the type.

 

[NA71]

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi

Blk 4 will stay as 4.5+++ gen aircraft.

If J31 becomes an aircraft of choice for a 5th gen—-then we are looking at 5 to 7 years.

but if a different aircraft is chosen, then 10 to 12 years maybe the time frame.

 

[StormBreaker]

View attachment 597450

Who is he

 

[Myth_buster_1]

Who is he

Chief of Pakistani Twitter warriors CPTW

 

[Muhammad Omar]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defenc...-year-with-jf-17-j-20-progress/135976.article

The Block III version of the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter has conducted its maiden flight, and China appears to be making progress with indigenous engines for the J-20 stealth fighter.

Social media accounts covering Chinese defence aerospace developments were busy over the holidays, with two notable developments.

Source: Weibo @JacKsonbobo

The JF-17 Block III takes off on its maiden sortie.

On 27 December 2019 images emerged of the JF-17 Block III taking flight from AVIC’s production centre in Chengdu. One image showed the jet taking off before a group of seated VIPs, with a banner celebrating the event hanging from a building.

At the Paris air show last June, an official with the programme said the first flight of the Block III would occur before the end of 2019.

Visually, it is hard to detect many differences between earlier versions of the JF-17 and the new Block III. One notable difference appears to be a considerably larger heads-up display similar to that observed on the J-20.

In addition, there appear to be the addition of a radar warning receivers aft of the aircraft intakes and on the tail. At Paris, the programme official said a key structural difference with the Block III would be a larger intake. In early images of the Block III, however, the intake appears similar to the Block I and II.

Irrespective of appearances, the most profound change for the new version will be the addition of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. As of June 2019 the type of radar had yet to be decided, but FlightGlobal understood that two were in contention: the China Electronics Technology Group KLJ-7A, and an AESA from AVIC that it claims is the first air-cooled example.

The Block III will also have new integrated electronic warfare suite.

Source: Weibo @JacKsonbobo

The WS-10 engines can be distinguished by the saw-toothed design of the exhaust petals.

Separately, images emerged of a pair of new J-20s apparently powered by the Shenyang WS-10 Taihang engine, as opposed to the upgraded version of the Saturn AL-31 that powers most examples . The WS-10 – which also powers the Shenyang J-11B, an Su-27 clone - features saw-toothed exhaust petals, whereas the AL-31 has flush exhaust petals. Internet observers believe that only four WS-10 powered J-20s have been produced.

The definitive powerplant for the J-20 is understood to be the more powerful Xian Aero Engine WS-15 Emei, but the timeline for its integration and testing are not clear.

Source: AVIC via Weibo

The mystery aircraft profile posted by AVIC on Weibo.

Coinciding with the JF-17 and J-20 news, AVIC’s Weibo account published the outline of a stealthy aircraft resembling the developmental FC-31, with a reference to the recent commissioning of Beijing’s second carrier, the CNS Shandong. In Chinese, the caption states “brief introduction to future shipborne fighter.”

The status of the J-31/FC-31 is unclear, but there has been speculation that it will be developed as a carrier-based fighter – there is similar speculation about the larger J-20. Chinese carriers currently operate the J-15, a copy of the Sukhoi Su-33, but reports suggest that the navy has suffered reliability and safety issues with the type.

The Mystery Aircraft is J-31

 

[Dil Pakistan]

Chief of Pakistani Twitter warriors CPTW

You mean Maryam Nawaz

 

[StormBreaker]

Chief of Pakistani Twitter warriors CPTW

Lol, is that a thing ?

He seems to be no more educated than us on this matter.

His sentence “UPTO 250” is inaccurate as well. There is no limit. Just that PAF expressed desire to procure around 250 and moreover, we already operate 50+50+14+12B+16(B to be procured)+50(block3 in coming years)
So the earlier 250 narrative becomes baseless and hence plans changed !!!
No one knows what they could be but hope for the best.

 

[denel]

Lol, is that a thing ?

He seems to be no more educated than us on this matter.

His sentence “UPTO 250” is inaccurate as well. There is no limit. Just that PAF expressed desire to procure around 250 and moreover, we already operate 50+50+14+12B+16(B to be procured)+50(block3 in coming years)
So the earlier 250 narrative becomes baseless and hence plans changed !!!
No one knows what they could be but hope for the best.

At this stage, we are looking at approx 350-400 aircraft in all; 250 figure is too low.

 

[StormBreaker]

At this stage, we are looking at approx 350-400 aircraft in all; 250 figure is too low.

Given that no other platform is procured.
I still believe there is a room for 2 squadrons on heavy jets with optimized maritime and electronic warfare roles. They can carry things that thunder can’t due to weight restrictions

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

At this stage, we are looking at approx 350-400 aircraft in all; 250 figure is too low.

Given that no other platform is procured.
I still believe there is a room for 2 squadrons on heavy jets with optimized maritime and electronic warfare roles. They can carry things that thunder can’t due to weight restrictions

I believe @denel is also referring to replacing Block-1 and Block-2 fighters in his estimation.

Remember, the earliest Block-1s will be around 20 years old in 2030, so the PAF could either rebuild them or replace them entirely. Seeing how the Block-3 airframe is quite different (3-axis FBW and other subtle structural changes), it could make sense to standardize to the new model (albeit with newer electronics).

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion." - Alexander the Great

Being alone and Ahmak are the same - a Persian proverb

Insha'Allah these JFs will lead an armada of supersonic UAVs -armed with EW/SIGINT/WVR/BVR etc. - while going into the hunt for the Hindutva!!!

TAI is expecting to fly it's first supersonic UAV, Goksungur, within this year...

http://www.kokpit.aero/supersonic-iha-goksungur
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/anot...ngur-waiting-2020.647862/page-3#post-11982751

 

[maverick1977]

At this stage, we are looking at approx 350-400 aircraft in all; 250 figure is too low.

350 JF17 with 100 F31 Azm.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

350 JF17 with 100 F31 Azm.

It’s quite an air armada!!!!

According to the ancient Indian texts, warriors attacking from the sky get the best out of the “natives” on the ground!! And, those air warriors become their Gods!!! PAF, by definition, attacks from the sky....