Chinese Military Aviation Blogspot dated 29-12-2019
"The first JF-17 Block III prototype (#3000) just returned to the CAC airfield from its maiden flight on December 15, 2019. As the latest variant of JF-17, Block III carries PAF's ambition to counter IAF's most powerful 3.5th generation fighter Rafale. The aircraft is expected to feature a more powerful engine (WS-13E? 9,000kg class), a new AESA radar developed by NETRI/14th Institute (KLJ-7A, range 170km, track 15, engage 4) or by the 607 Institute (LKF601E, air cooled), HMDS, IRST, upgraded EW suite, new datalink, full authority digital FBW and a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons including PL-10E IIR guided AAM as well as PL-15E active radar homing AAM (using twin launch rails). Additional hard points are installed including ones underneath the engine air intake for ECM or targeting pod. Images of the first flight indicated the JF-17 Block III prototype features a J-20 style narrow frame wide-angle holographic HUD (EHUD-2?), a slightly enlarged spine, and new forward MAWS sensors behind the engine air intakes. The rear MAWS sensors were relocated to the EW compartment on top of the vertical tail fin as well. Otherwise the overall aerodynamic configuration remains the unchanged and the aircraft is still powered by the original RD-93 engine."
PS Chinese 3.5th generation aircraft equals world's 4.5th generation aircraft!!!!
PAF will not agree to install Chinese WS-13E engine on JF-17 because RD-93 (MA???) already produces 78 kN to 98 kN thrust. (Wikipedia refers following Klimov poster at Zhuhai 2010 airshow)
https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222821if_/http://i56.tinypic.com/n3vu4x.jpg
RD-93 is also a proven engine on JF-17. Also refer following article published in Defence Industry Bulletin.
(Image posted by
@khanasifm, refer https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/jf-17-to-get-a-new-engine-rd-93ma-with-9300kgf-thrust.193184/page-8)
Date of publication is not available on this image but the article was written during June-July 2015.
A very informative article with lot of technical details on WS-13 and RD-33/93 design evolution. Some of the salient features of modified engines are:
(1) Improved inlet fans design resulting in increase in fan speed and/or increase in mass flow.
(2) Modified combustion chamber.
(3) Modified LP and HP turbine to compensate higher turbine inlet temperatures.
(4) Engine exhaust nozzles by increasing secondary air flow.
(5) A full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and efficient hydro-mechanical fuel control.
After 4.5 years, can we assume that currently PAF is operating JF-17 powered by upgraded RD-93 MA which produces 93kN wet thrust??????
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FADEC
