JF-17 Thunder Multirole Fighter [Thread 5]

[Donatello]

Well, just to add to the discussion, it will take another 6-8 years to produce 100 more JF-17s (BLK 2 and 3), so PAC and PAF is busy until 2020-2022. So even if PAF said they need 100 more, what difference does it make? We will still have to wait for them for a long time.

If you read multiple interviews, some state the requirement at 150 units, while some say it may be 250. 250 being the higher number only if and when finances allow. Around 2020, it might make sense to go for a true Fifth Gen fighter, and since by that time China would have made some progress, it would be easier to decide. Might as well get 2-3 squadrons for Fifth gen and cap JF-17 at 150 units.

It seems ROSE mirages are not going anywhere for another 5 years.....sad but true.

 

[Dazzler]

sd-10 and some other footage

cockpit disection

 

[Beast]

sd-10 and some other footage

cockpit disection

Yang wei the chief designer of JF-17 mention the only regret of JF-17, is if design by today standard and technology, he can make JF-17 a better combat aircraft. But the main aim now is the continuous upgrade of every block evolve to that standard.

 

[Nishan_101]

"Given the consideration the we intend to go for a new block with enhanced capabilities after 50 airframes, we could easily see a Block 4 or a even a Block 5." - Air Cdre Mahmood Khalid. (reported by Air Force Daily)

So...... 50 (Block-1) already produced and inducted + 50 (Block-2) to be produced and 50 (Block-3) will be produced in future the same way = 150 Airframes.
Now adding 50 (Block-4) and 50 (Block-5) we are easily getting = 250 Airframes. Which means: "150" is not the stop point

Bro. the seriousness of PAC and PAF along with GoP has been decreased since 2005. As if it was there, then I am sure we were going to see 100 JF-17s from each block and even better ones. Don't want to say too much as it becomes biased now a days. Sorry for any mistakes.

ALLAH Save Pakistan and Pakistanis. Ameen.

Agreed. But that fairly depends on the Budget the Air Force would be getting. But I still highly doubt that

The 50 JF-17s which cost about roughty $15 million per piece was being financed by Chinese Govt. and at an INTEREST RATE of 2.1% so you can say that its on Interest bearing loans.

The way I read this, combined with the Dubai presentation that was giving the timeline and the different blocks, is that the confirmed/current plan is for three Block of 50 each.
The Air Cdre then says, “we could easily see a Block 4 or a even a Block 5”. “COULD” puts these as a possibility. “EASILY” says “high probability”. “EVEN” suggests “at a stretch”.
So, my understanding is 150 a solid plans or the minimum they want. Things permitting they could/will try to get another 50 and a final 50.

You are right!!! But nothing now can be said. On the other side of the border Afghans are not so happy with Pakistanis and neither the Indians which always seems to be willing for a WAR.

 

[Gryphon]

The PRC’s other major fighter producer, Chengdu Aerospace Corp. (CAC) in Sichuan Province, is continuing to improve on Avic’s one successful export fighter program, theJF-17/FC-1, which is being built in cooperation with the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, Pakistan. CAC is in the process of working on a Block 3 variant of the aircraft that will address issues of strengthening certain elements of the aircraft structure and improvements in the avionics suite.

During the Dubai Air Show in November 2013 officials from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the JF-17 program office in Islamabad stated that the Block 3 airplane was at this point a design concept with a set of mission requirements but that “no decisions have been made about the choice for changing out any of on-board systems for the aircraft.”

The JF-17 will also now be produced in a two-seat version, but the PAF officials at Dubai stated that the two-seat aircraft is being developed as a result of interest from potential export customers in having a trainer variant and not to address any requirements for Pakistan. The PAF is addressing almost all of the training needs by using simulators and will continue to build single-seat aircraft.

Excerpt from:

PRC Defense Industry Pushes to Expand Export Markets | Aviation International News
February 11, 2014 (by REUBEN JOHNSON)

 

[graphican]

my car leaks more oil than that, nothing to worry

Lo wasn't JF-17 enough already that now we have got another important thing to worry

 

[HRK]

The 50 JF-17s which cost about roughty $15 million per piece was being financed by Chinese Govt. and at an INTEREST RATE of 2.1% so you can say that its on Interest bearing loans.

in 2011 China provide $ 851 million loan @ 2% annual rate for 50 JF-17 which translate into $ 17 million price for single JF-17.

 

[Chak Bamu]

Yang wei the chief designer of JF-17 mention the only regret of JF-17, is if design by today standard and technology, he can make JF-17 a better combat aircraft. But the main aim now is the continuous upgrade of every block evolve to that standard.

Agreed!

Can you provide more details? Did he specify any particular areas?

If you were not Chinese, some Pakistanis would be making fun of you for saying this much. They can not contemplate that JF-17 could have some deficiencies.

 

[Informant]

Agreed!

Can you provide more details? Did he specify any particular areas?

If you were not Chinese, some Pakistanis would be making fun of you for saying this much. They can not contemplate that JF-17 could have some deficiencies.

JF-17 is light combat aircraft. Ofcourse it can be improved but this also shoots up the price quite high. Basic economics came in to play for us.

 

[Tempest II]

Just thinking now, PAF does not send newly qualified pilots to the JF-17. I.e. the pilots they send already have fast jet experience on F-7s, F-16s and Mirages. It is therefore reasonable that they can manage without a 2-seater JF-17. However another airforce looking at having JF-17 as it only fast jet will mean sending newly qualified pilots to fly this baby. They will therefore need a 2-seater.

 

[slapshot]

Just thinking now, PAF does not send newly qualified pilots to the JF-17. I.e. the pilots they send already have fast jet experience on F-7s, F-16s and Mirages. It is therefore reasonable that they can manage without a 2-seater JF-17. However another airforce looking at having JF-17 as it only fast jet will mean sending newly qualified pilots to fly this baby. They will therefore need a 2-seater.

Considering thunder is truly according to PAF needs which means what you said makes sense. But remember its mentioned several times that PAF thinks twin seat version is not needed since this jet is very easy to master with the help of simulator. For those who are migrating from any previous supersonic aircraft thunder is a new platform and this is known to PAF when they are marketing it airshows. Pilots who fly supersonic fighter jets already have experience on some advance supersonic trainers so they should be OK with thunder. But if some one is going to use thunder as Advance Trainer then yes twin seat version could be needed.

 

[Chak Bamu]

JF-17 is light combat aircraft. Ofcourse it can be improved but this also shoots up the price quite high. Basic economics came in to play for us.

Somehow, I think this is not it. Only when Yang Wei's explanation is available can we form an opinion.

I am guessing that Wing-Fuselage join would be one of the areas, as well as slight modification to wings as well to have provision for another set of hard-points. Full FBW could be another thing, as opposed to partial FBW (in pitch axis only). Reportedly CAC has developed full FBW system with minimal additional cost over JF-17's hybrid system.

We might have to look at J-20 and J-10B to see any improved technologies that could easily have been incorporated into JF-17 without undue expense.

Anyway all these are my speculations and I could be wide off the mark...

 

[Beast]

AVIC spokesman at singapore airshow 2014 mention WS-13 engine will be ready in 1-2 years time.

 

[Tempest II]

Enjoy. From : http://pdfpages.gannettgov.com/prepress/fpo_pdfs/DFN_INT_FPO.pdf

 

[Tempest II]

AVIC spokesman at singapore airshow 2014 mention WS-13 engine will be ready in 1-2 years time.

Link please.