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

[Windjammer]

Reportedly the PAF will have 28 Block-III variants by 2022, with the initial two aircraft being constructed in China and the rest will be manufactured by the PAC.

 

[AsifIjaz]

Reportedly the PAF will have 28 Block-III variants by 2022, with the initial two aircraft being constructed in China and the rest will be manufactured by the PAC.

Well if we are stikl going tonproduce 16 aircrafts per year then 28 block 3 means that production at kamra aint starting till march /April 2020.. Is it a reasonable conclusion?

 

[air marshal]

http://falcons.pk/photo/JF-17-Thunder/1607

 

[Raider 21]

Reportedly the PAF will have 28 Block-III variants by 2022, with the initial two aircraft being constructed in China and the rest will be manufactured by the PAC.

PAF & PAC still not learning despite repeated beatings. Guess it will still take time or until another hit on an international convention. *sigh*

 

[Deino]

Given this piece of information I think a maiden flight in August seems unlikely

https://twitter.com/x/status/1098391214829723649

 

[Imran Khan]

Cant wait to see block 3 hope pakistan made 120 to 150 of them

 

[Maxpane]

almost 4 years and still waiting

 

[CriticalThought]

PAF & PAC still not learning despite repeated beatings. Guess it will still take time or until another hit on an international convention. *sigh*

Can you please elaborate on these 'beatings' and lessons to be learnt?

 

[Sabretooth]

Waiting is one of the most difficult things in life. The wait for Block 3 is killing me.

 

[AsifIjaz]

Given this piece of information I think a maiden flight in August seems unlikely

https://twitter.com/x/status/1098391214829723649

Based on the given info... A production run can not be expected before mid to end of next yr at the earliest. This means we may need more than 60 block 2s or would overhaul or upgrade the initial block 1s.
More over the timeline for an improved RD93 was 2019 and thus i assume that block 3 os definitely coming up for a newer or improved engine.

 

[Shabi1]

Based on the given info... An production run can not be expected before mid to end of next yr at the earliest. This means we may need more than 60 block 2s or would overhaul or upgrade the initial block 1s.
More over the timeline for an improved RD93 was 2019 and thus i assume that block 3 os definitely coming up for a newer or improved engine.

Block-3 production is probably late 2021. However PAC will be kept busy with export orders and Block-2 two seater production. I've heard there are chances of a further 12 JF-17 Block-2s to join PAF. Azerbaijan is considering a JF-17 Block-2+ JF-17 which is a block-2 with a air cooled AESA radar.

 

[Mrc]

Yaar block 3 da chahra kerwa dain.... Production chalo hoti rahay gi

 

[AsifIjaz]

Block-3 production is probably late 2021. However PAC will be kept busy with export orders and Block-2 two seater production. I've heard there are chances of a further 12 JF-17 Block-2s to join PAF. Azerbaijan is considering a JF-17 Block-2+ JF-17 which is a block-2 with a air cooled AESA radar.

PAC may not base its estimates on minimum production run upon probable exports. Whereas the rumor around additional block 2s may be correct but i doubt there will be a dozen extra block 2s produced, may be 6 at max. reason is JF17b.... as it may turn out to be the savior for PAC. So after a total of 60 + minimum additional block 2s, JF17b production may be started by the end of current year (in 4th quarter) and by end of next year we can have anywhere from 6 to 12 dual seaters before block 3 production starts.

Mind you the very assumption of block 3 production starting by mid to end next yr (3rd or 4th quarter), is based upon previous information that 1st block 3 aircraft will fly by mid 2019.

However if block 3 is getting delayed beyond 2020 then in the absence of additional Myanmar order, order from Nigeria or from Azerbaijan, PAF should then consider to upgrade the block 2s to block 2 plus status i.e. add air cooled aesa to the existing block 2s. With block 3 around the corner, additional Block 2s construction should be kept to bare minimum.

 

[FuturePAF]

The JF-17 has proven itself in Combat and the world knows it. The design is improving incrementally on all technical parameters, but there is one area the jet doesn't seem to have changed much. The canopy seems to be limiting visibility of the pilot and its doesn't create the sleek lines that will impress at arms shows. Impressing potential foreign customers, and is one of the reasons people love the F-16 so much.

A Design the Jf-17 Block III team should study is the failed Novi Avion from Yugoslavia. Its canopy is modeled after early Rafale designs (with help from Dassault if I remember correctly).

https://m.novi.ba/storage/2015/06/24/thumbs/558a8aa6-08c0-4fe0-a0ba-2bdeb0765237-na1-690x480.jpg
https://nationalinterest.org/sites/...public/main_images/dsgdsddd.png?itok=2xguY4O-
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/b...-attempt-build-its-very-own-jet-fighter-25366
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=749

Pakistan should consider adopting this design element, and it would really make the JF-17 stand out even more so.

Kelly Johnson of Lockeed's Skunk Works had a thing or two to say about aircraft design.
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/legendary-skunk-work-founder-kelly-johnsons-rules-of-ma-1708050659

 

[Dil Pakistan]

What if a "good looking canopy" creates drag?