JF-17 Thunder Multirole Fighter [Thread 7]

[khanasifm]

in Defence
Dubai Airshow: Pakistan JF-17 returns to Dubai

Posted 13 November 2017

The JF-17 Thunder will be returning to the Dubai Air Show this year following its absence in 2015. Alan Warnes reports.


Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, which builds 58% of the JF-17 Thunder and provides the final assembly for the domestic market, has now delivered more than 90 aircraft.

This year, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will take delivery of 14 JF-17s to complete the original order for 50 Block IIs.

However, the PAF announced in early 2017 that another 12 Block IIs would be built in 2018 to bridge the gap in production caused by delays to the more sophisticated Block III.

This more advanced version of the Thunder will include new avionics, better electronic warfare systems, increased payload and more sophisticated weapons, including Mk83 (1,000lb) and Mk84 bombs fitted with indigenous range extension kits (IREKs).

A targeting pod is also a priority, with Turkey’s Aselsan Aselpod system a likely option, as well as an indigenous data-link developed by PAC’s avionics production factory.

The only outstanding issue is the selection of an airborne electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to replace the Block I/II’s older KLJ-7 fire control radar.

“We don’t want to make any mistakes with this aircraft so we instigated a one-and-a-half year delay to the Block III programme,” explained Sohail Aman, the PAF chief of air staff back in May. He then added: “A lot of Block III improvements have already been used to upgrade Block I/2s.”

China has two AESA options on offer, one being CETC’s enhanced KLJ-7A, while Leonardo (formerly Selex ES) has also approached the PAF with a Grifo solution.

Meanwhile, Aman was keen to say that the JF-17 trumps the F-16 Block 52 in three different domains – although he wouldn’t elaborate on what they were. “Let me keep something to myself,” he smiled.

The first flight of a dual-seat JF-17B, took place at Chengdu on April 27, which revealed several modifications to the aircraft’s airframe not seen in the single-seater.

It has a dorsal spine to house more fuel, which compensates for the space taken by the additional seat. The vertical stabiliser has also been modified with the swept tail housing components for a new three-axis fly-by-wire flight control system.

The nose has been enlarged to accommodate the AESA radar.

Three aircraft are being built at Chengdu, with two set to be delivered to the PAF and one to remain in China.

Having a two-seater in the testing and development programme will speed up the integration of more weapons, according to CATIC. At the same time, it will allow potential customers to actually feel the aircraft, rather than rely on a simulator.

A fifth PAF unit – 14 ‘Tail Choppers’ Squadron – stood up on February 16 at PAF Base Minhas, with most of the aircraft fitted with air-to-air refuelling systems. It joins 2 ‘Minhasians’ Squadron at PAF Base Masroor, 16 ‘Black Panthers’ Squadron at PAF Base Minhas, 26 ‘Black Spiders’ Squadron at PAF Base Peshawar and the JF-17 Combat Commanders School (CCS) at PAF Base Mushaf. A sixth unit will stand up in early-2018.

Also being built at PAC Kamra’s aircraft manufacturing factory is the MFI-17 Super Mushshak, which has had an incredible year of export success.

With a glass cockpit, supplied by Garmin or Dynon, a new lease of life has been breathed into the old design and attracted customers looking for a cheaper state-of-the-art basic trainer. In 2016, the Nigerian Air Force ordered eight, which have been delivered, followed by a requirement for another four. The Qatar Air Force also placed an order for eight, which led to four being delivered in late-June.

In May, 2017 the Turkish MoD signed a deal for 52 Super Mushshaks, followed in September by Azerbaijan’s requirement for 10 aircraft.

There are also plans to weaponise the aircraft and, during May, a company demonstrator was fitted with Chinese FT-5 air-to-ground missiles for aerodynamic trials. Other options include the installation of an electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) system, which could help to ‘lase’ any weapons on to a target.

AMF will integrate its own domestic-made forward-looking infrared (FLIR) on the Super Mushshak, probably for the domestic market.

It’s all quite a success story for an aircraft that was first built by Saab in the early 70s before PAC took over the license to build in the 1980s.

Dubai Airshow: Pakistan JF-17 returns to Dubai | Arabian Aerospace

So 18 sqn ?? Or another will convert early 2018 and may be 14 single plus two dual seater will make its inventory??

Or it could be single dual seater kept at pac for potential customer flight of assigned to one of the two sqn there ??

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Good Going. Our own IRST. It is an achievement and another step to self reliance.

FLIR is different than IRST.

SM already has been tested with A2G missiles and FLIR... Probably for Nigerians:

Also Pak developed an IRST "POD" years or rather ages ago:

It was developed in colaboration with an unnamed European company... probably French SAGEM or Italian Selex Ex:

A podded infrared search and tracking system demonstrator developed by Air Weapons Complex (AWC) has been shown mounted under the wing of A Pakistan Air Force Mirage III fighter. Design of the air-to-air IRST, now in production, began in 1992 and was first tested in 1994. The 2.4m long installation , including a stabilizer head in a 210mm diameter supersonic housing, weighs 80kg and draws its power from the host aircraft. It has an RS-422 interface , the output being presented on a 3.5 kg electroluminescent display in the cockpit. For post mission analysis, the pod can also be connected to a 14kg mission recorder installed in the nose of the aircraft. The system is designed to be used against airborne threats, and has a multi-target search capability. The pilot can choose from three scan patterns, including spiral (26x26), horizontal (9.6x100), and vertical (100x9.6) scans. A target tracking function is also avilable, and the IRST's modular design allows for deployment on various platforms, including rotary-wing types. (06/11/98)

 

[Tempest II]

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, which builds 58% of the JF-17 Thunder and provides the final assembly for the domestic market, has now delivered more than 90 aircraft.

So PAC is assembling for the domestic market? I.e. Final assembly for other customers may still be in China

 

[Gryphon]

So 18 sqn ?? Or another will convert early 2018 and may be 14 single plus two dual seater will make its inventory??

Or it could be single dual seater kept at pac for potential customer flight of assigned to one of the two sqn there ??

No. 18 sqn as it's the last F-7P unit.

Two JF-17B are SBP aircraft. PAF will likely induct more.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

No. 18 sqn as it's the last F-7P unit.

Two JF-17B are SBP aircraft. PAF will likely induct more.

Alan Warnes said the PAF will acquire an additional 12 JF-17 Block-IIs in 2018 to keep PAC warm while the JF-17 Block-III is completed. These additional JF-17s could possibly be JF-17B and transition No. 18 Sqn to JF-17 OCU.

 

[Gryphon]

Alan Warnes said the PAF will acquire an additional 12 JF-17 Block-IIs in 2018 to keep PAC warm while the JF-17 Block-III is completed. These additional JF-17s could possibly be JF-17B and transition No. 18 Sqn to JF-17 OCU.

Probably single seaters as Alan Warnes and Usman Shabbir didn't mention the additional planes as JF-17B.

 

[Raider 21]

Key point to note. Thunder is better than F-16 Block 52 in 3 areas. Masha Allah. Alhamdulillah. @Knuckles

Haha Sohail uncle still hasn't lost his sense of humor...

 

[Bratva]

Alan Warnes said the PAF will acquire an additional 12 JF-17 Block-IIs in 2018 to keep PAC warm while the JF-17 Block-III is completed. These additional JF-17s could possibly be JF-17B and transition No. 18 Sqn to JF-17 OCU.

It will also cover the loss of two units PAF had to endure

 

[khanasifm]

Meanwhile, Aman was keen to say that the JF-17 trumps the F-16 Block 52 in three different domains – although he wouldn’t elaborate on what they were. “Let me keep something to myself,” he smiled.

Interesting..

I think

1 anti [emoji568] capability

2 strategic stand off weapons with more than 150km range

3 ? May be indigenous data link ?? Not sure [emoji848] or aesa Radar which out class Anything paf has ??

Not sure jf has recon capability pod like dB-10

 

[The Accountant]

I think

1 anti [emoji568] capability

2 strategic stand off weapons with more than 150km range

3 ? May be indigenous data link ?? Not sure [emoji848] or aesa Radar which out class Anything paf has ??

Not sure jf has recon capability pod like dB-10

Its AESA radar, IRST pod and ability to integrate any weapon system ..

 

[Advocate Pakistan]

It will also cover the loss of two units PAF had to endure

The Two crashes were of Block 1 or Block 2

 

[araz]

Friend, the concern of indian involvement was the snakes Indian transplants known as Guptas; they were trying to muzzle in via a front for Asia; that has been nullified and soon we hope to see them behind bars where they belong. Those are wretched bastards who together with zumas have stolen tax payers monies like a black hole. Honest to God; as per true indian style, they are s..t scared to set foot on South African soil and sitting in Dubai while their home is barricaded daily by protesters.
That is the only involvement by the b.. indians.
I apologise for my vulgar words but there are none else to describe them with.

Denel.
I read your post because of the information it provides not because of the foulness/sweetness of your language.
Sentiments aside there were inroads made and that meant PAF sat at a distance and watched. As I have said the situation has improved and visits have started again. However, and this remains more of a question than a statement, Air Force equipment wise I fail to see what you can sell us. I dont see many finished products and with certain ones you have been looking at partners to complete projects.
Your other problem remains that PAF is now pitching multiple vendors against each other and challanging the Chinese to come up with a comparable product. The Chinese have repeatedly risen to the task and brought out better products which meet our demands.
Your third weakness remains financing where the Chinese have cornered markets on account of better deals from the financial perspective. So where do we go from here?

 

[khanasifm]

Its AESA radar, IRST pod and ability to integrate any weapon system ..

IRST and cft are speculated but not confirmed by any official source so far I have read ??

 

[Bratva]

The Two crashes were of Block 1 or Block 2

One of Each Block

 

[denel]

Denel.
I read your post because of the information it provides not because of the foulness/sweetness of your language.
Sentiments aside there were inroads made and that meant PAF sat at a distance and watched. As I have said the situation has improved and visits have started again. However, and this remains more of a question than a statement, Air Force equipment wise I fail to see what you can sell us. I dont see many finished products and with certain ones you have been looking at partners to complete projects.
Your other problem remains that PAF is now pitching multiple vendors against each other and challanging the Chinese to come up with a comparable product. The Chinese have repeatedly risen to the task and brought out better products which meet our demands.
Your third weakness remains financing where the Chinese have cornered markets on account of better deals from the financial perspective. So where do we go from here?

Friend
Please review the various inputs we have already provided in your Mirage fleet and basis for your cruise missiles; there is a huge porfolio from ECM, HMDS, AAMs etc. Yes, financing is an area we cannot afford but the products are top notch.