I came across many folks on this forum who were doubting capabilities of F-7P and PG.This thread is meant to remove there backwardness.
The PAF has two F-7 variants in service. F-7P ‘Skybolt’ which is a variant of the F-7M ‘Airguard’ and F-7PG, which is a variant of F-7MG. There are also two-seater variants, FT-7 and FT-7PG to support the conversion of pilots to F-7P and F-7PG respectively.
Induction:
F-7P
The F-7M was evaluated by PAF in early 1987 and for this purpose two aircraft were ferried to Pakistan and trials were conducted at Peshawar and Masroor Air Bases. The evaluation included both air-to-air and air-to-ground performance. After the evaluation, 20 F-7Ps and four FT-7s were ordered and these were delivered to No. 20 Squadron in November 1988.
This was followed by delivery of sixty F-7Ps in 1988-89, fifteen FT-7s in 1990-1992 and forty F-7Ps in 1993. In total 135 aircraft were delivered and these equipped six squadrons and also a squadron of Combat Commanders School. All F-7Ps were ferried to Pakistan by PAF pilots.
F-7PG
Evaluation of F-7PG (F-7MG) was carried out by PAF pilots in Chengdu in July 1997. In total 12 sorties were flown to in which complete flight regime was explored, with particular focus on the improvements in performance of the already in-service F-7P. 57 F-7PG (including nine FT-7PG) were ordered in late 2000 to replace the F-6 flown by No. 17 and No. 23 Squadrons. Deliveries began in June 2001.
Two CAC engineers, Wg Cdr Jamshed Khan, Mr Ma, the chief designer of F-7MG, Group Captain Shabbir Hussain, Air Attache in Beijing, Group Captain Kaiser Tufail, Wing Commander Amir Liaquat (Tech Evaluator) at CAC. [Picture courtesy: Air Cdre (Retd) Kaiser Tufail]
PAF Upgrades:
Later in service, due to operational limitations with existing Sky Ranger 7M GEC Marconi radar, tenders were floated by the PAF in South Africa and Italy for developing a combat mode, small, very economical, but effective radar for PAF’s F-7 aircraft. The Italian FIAT Company was selected out of many of the most reputed radar developing companies, as its offer was very economical and sound. The contact to co-produce 100 Grifo-7 radars by FIAT and KARF at PAC Kamra was signed in June 1993. After the production the facility was converted into depot level maintenance for this radar.GMAv Type 956 HUDWAC,Skyranger ECCM in F-7M,Martin-Baker Mk 10L seat in F-7P/PP. One-piece canopy, hinged at rear to open upward.
The primary role air defence and interception. It is an upgraded variant of the F-7M, F-7P incorporates many PAF-specific modifications such as Martin-Baker ejection seat, two extra weapon stations for a total of 5, an extra 30 mm cannon and an Italian-designed FIAR Grifo 7 multi-mode radar. F-7P was inducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s, intended to supplement a fleet of more advanced F-16 fighters. The Grifo 7 radar was later upgraded to the Grifo 7 mk.II version. The F-7PG variant incorporates a "cranked delta" wing which improves take-off, landing and turning performance considerably, as well as extra space in the nose to accommodate the much improved Grifo 7PG radar. F-7 replaced around 250 Shenyang J-6 fighters which were the PAF's workhorse throughout the 1970s and 1980s. F-7 is also used to perform limited strike duties. * J-7MP After nearly two years use of the F-7M, Pakistani Air Force (PAF) returned the 20 F-7M aircraft to China in the late 1980s with recommendations for 24 upgrades, including replacing the original GEC-Marconi Type 226 Skyranger radar with the Italian FIAR Grifo-7 radar, and AIM-9 Sidewinder capability. The Italian radar weighs 55 kg, had a slot antenna planar array, and had a range greater than 50 km, while the British radar only weighs 42 kg, with a parabolic antenna, but only had range of 15 km. Both radars have a mean time between failure rate of 200 hours.
F-7PG:
J-7MP is the design specially tailored to Pakistani requirements. * J-7PG Alternative to J-7MG, similar to the J-7MG except with Italian Grifo-MG radar, which further increased the sector of scan to +/- 30 degrees from the +/- 20 degrees of Grifo-Mk-II on F-7P. The Grifo-MG radar has better ECCM, look-down and shoot-down capabilities than its predecessor Grifo-Mk-II, while the weight remained the same. The number of targets can be tracked simultaneously is increased from the original 4 of the Grifo-Mk-II to a total of 8 of the Grifo-MG.PG's are capable to fire BVR missile known as R-Darter with range of 60+km.
DESIGN FEATURES:
Diminutive tailed delta (double-delta on F-7PG), with clipped tips to mid-mounted wings; circular-section fuselage with dorsal spine; nose intake with conical centrebody; swept tail, with large vertical surfaces and ventral fin. Wing anhedral 2° from roots; incidence 0°; thickness/chord ratio approximately 5 per cent at root, 4.2 per cent at tip; quarter-chord sweepback 49° 6' 36" (reduced on F-7PG outer panels); no wing leading-edge camber.
FLYING CONTROLS:
Manual operation, with autostabilisation in pitch and roll; hydraulically boosted inset ailerons; plain trailing-edge flaps, actuated hydraulically; forward-hinged door type airbrake each side of underfuselage below wing leading-edge; third, forward-hinged airbrake under fuselage forward of ventral fin; airbrakes actuated hydraulically; hydraulically boosted rudder and all-moving, trimmable tailplane. Leading/trailing-edge manoeuvring flaps on F-7PG.
STRUCTURE:
All-metal; wings have two primary spars and auxiliary spar; semi-monocoque fuselage, with spine housing control pushrods, avionics, single-point refuelling cap and fuel tank; blister fairings on fuselage above and below each wing to accommodate retracted mainwheels.
LANDING GEAR:
Inward-retracting mainwheels, with 600 x 200 mm tyres (pressure 11.50 bars; 167 lb/sq in) and LS-16 disc brakes; forward-retracting nosewheel, with 500 x 180 mm tyre (pressure 7.00 bars; 102 lb/sq in) and LS-15 double-acting brake. Nosewheel steerable +-47°. Minimum ground turning radius 7.04 m (23 ft 1{1/4} in). Tail braking parachute at base of vertical tail.
POWER PLANT:
Shenyang WP-7, Chinese license built copies of the
R-11(38.7 kN (8,708 lbf) military power--60.6 kN (13,635 lbf) with afterburner power Mig-21)
One LMC (Liyang) WP7B(BM) turbojet (43.2 kN; 9,700 lb st dry, 59.8 kN; 13,448 lb st with afterburning) in F-7M; LMC WP13 turbojet (40.2 kN; 9,039 lb st dry, 64.7 kN; 14,550 lb st with afterburning) in J-7 III/F7-3;
WP13F (44.1 kN; 9,921 lb st dry, 64.7 kN; 14,550 lb st with afterburning) in F-7PG.
Total internal fuel capacity 2,385 litres (630 US gallons; 524.5 Imp gallons, contained in six flexible tanks in fuselage and two integral tanks in each wing. Provision for carrying a 500 or 800 litre (132 or 211 US gallon; 110 or 176 Imp gallon) centreline drop tank, and/or a 500 litre drop tank on each outboard underwing pylon. Maximum internal/external fuel capacity 4,185 litres (1,105 US gallons; 920.5 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION:
Pilot only, on CAC zero-height/low-speed ejection seat operable between 70 and 459 kt (130 and 850 km/h; 81 and 528 mph) IAS. Martin-Baker Mk 10L seat in F-7P/PP. One-piece canopy, hinged at rear to open upward. J-7 III/F7-3 canopy opens sideways to starboard.
SYSTEMS:
Improved electrical system in F-7M, using three static inverters, to cater for additional avionics. Jianghuai YX-3 oxygen system.
AVIONICS
Comms: GMAv AD 3400 UHF/VHF multifunction com, Chinese Type 602 IFF transponder; Type 605A (`Odd Rods' type) IFF in J-7III.
Radar: FIAR Grifo-7 in F-7P/PG. Chinese JL-7 fire-control radar in J-7III.
FIAR Grifo-7 :
I-band (8 to 10 GHz) airborne fire-control radar.
DESCRIPTION :
The Grifo-7 is a member of the Grifo Family and operates in I-band with pulse compression techniques, Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) control and good electronic counter-countermeasures capabilities. It has full look-up and look-down capabilities through the use of pulse Doppler and medium pulse repetition frequency waveform, plus an air-to-ground ranging mode.
Two modes are selectable in air-to-air. Supersearch is used for the acquisition and tracking of the highest priority target in the head-up display field of view. The radar allows the missile seeker to be slewed to the target line of sight for offset delivery. In boresight fixed antenna pointing is used for automatic acquisition and tracking of the nearest target.
FIAR Grifo Radar
Flight:
Navigation function of GEC-Marconi HUDWAC includes approach mode. WL-7 radio compass, XS-6A marker beacon receiver, Type 0101 HR A/2 radar altimeter and GMAv air data computer in F-7M. Beijing Aeronautical Instruments Factory KJ-11 twin-channel autopilot and FJ-1 flight data recorder in J-7III. F-7PG suite includes VOR/DME/INS and Tacan.
Instrumentation:
GMAv Type 956 HUDWAC (head-up display and weapon aiming computer) in F-7M provides pilot with displays for instrument flying, with air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon aiming symbols integrated with flight-instrument symbology. It can store 32 weapon parameter functions, allowing for both current and future weapon variants. In air-to-air combat its four modes (missiles, conventional gunnery, snapshoot gunnery, dogfight) and standby aiming reticle allow for all eventualities. VCR and infrared cockpit lighting in F-7PG, for which licence-built Russian helmet sight, slaved to PL-9 AAM, is also in production.
Self-defence:
Skyranger ECCM in F-7M. Chinese LJ-2 RWR and GT-4 ECM jammer in J-7III.
ARMAMENT (F-7M):
Two 30 mm Type 30-1 belt-fed cannon, with 60 rds/gun, in fairings under front fuselage just forward of wingroot leading-edges. Two hardpoints under each wing, of which outer ones are wet for carriage of drop tanks. Centreline pylon used for drop tank only. Each inboard pylon capable of carrying a PL-2, -2A, -5B or -7 missile (and PL-9 on F-7PG) or, at customer's option, an R550 Magic; one 18-tube pod of Type 57-2 (57 mm) air-to-air and air-to-ground rockets; one Type 90-1 (90 mm) seven-tube pod of air-to-ground rockets; or a 50, 150, 250 or 500 kg bomb. Each outboard pylon can carry one of above rocket pods, a 50 or 150 kg bomb, or a 500 litre drop tank.
View attachment 213660
EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS
Wing Span
(except F-7PG) 7.15m (23 ft 5{5/8} in)
J-7E/F-7PG 8.32 m (27 ft 3{1/2} in)
Wing chord at root (except F-7PG) 5.51 m (18 ft 0{3/4} in)
Wing chord at tip (except F-7PG) 0.46 m (1 ft 6{1/4} in)
Wing aspect ratio (except F-7PG) 2.2
Wing aspect ratio of F-7PG 2.8
Length overall (excl nose probe) 13.945 m (45 ft 9 in)
Length overall (incl nose probe) 14.885 m (48 ft 10 in)
Fuselage length 12.175 m (39 ft 11{1/2} in)
Max diameter 1.34 m (4 ft 4{3/4} in)
Height overall 4.105 m (13 ft 5{1/2} in)
Tailplane span 3.74 m (12 ft 3{1/4} in)
Wheel track 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in)
Wheelbase 4.805 m (15 ft 9{1/4} in)
AREAS
Wings, gross (except F-7PG) 23.00 m{2} (247.6 sq ft)
Wings, gross F-7PG 24.88 m{2} (267.8 sq ft)
Ailerons total (except F-7PG) 1.18 m{2} (12.70 sq ft)
Trailing-edge flaps (total) 1.87 m{2} (20.13 sq ft)
Fin 3.48 m{2} (37.46 sq ft)
Rudder 0.97 m{2} (10.44 sq ft)
Tailplane 3.94 m{2} (42.41 sq ft)
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS
Weight empty: F-7P 5,275 kg (11,629 lb)
Weight empty: F-7PG 5,292 kg (11,667 lb)
Normal T-O weight with 2 PL-2 or PL-7 air-to-air missiles: F-7P 7,531 kg (16,603 lb)
Normal T-O weight with 2 PL-2 or PL-7 air-to-air missiles: F-7PG 7,540 kg (16,623 lb)
Max T-O weight: F-7PG 9,100 kg (20,062 lb)
Wing loading at normal T-O weight: F-7P 327.4 kg/m^2 (67.06 lb/sq ft)
Max wing loading: F-7PG 365.8 kg/m^2 (74.91 lb/sq ft)
Power loading at normal T-O weight: F-7P 126 kg/kN (1.23 lb/lb st)
Power loading at normal T-O weight: F-7PG 141 kg/kN (1.38 lb/lb st)
PERFORMANCE
(F-7M at normal T-O weight with two PL-2 or PL-7 air-to-air missiles, except where indicated)
Never-exceed speed above 12,500 m (41,010 ft) M2.35 (1,346 kt; 2,495 km/h; 1,550 mph)
Max level speed between 12,500 and 18,500 m (41,010-60,700 ft) M2.05 (1,175 kt; 2,175 km/h; 1,350 mph)
Touchdown speed 162-173 kt (300-320 km/h; 186-199 mph)
Max rate of climb at S/L 10,800 m (35,435 ft)/min
Acceleration from M0.9 to 1.2 at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) 35 s
Max sustained turn rate: M0.7 at S/L 14.7°/s
Max sustained turn rate: M0.8 at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) 9.5°/s
Service ceiling 18,200 m (59,720 ft)
Absolute ceiling 18,700 m (61,360 ft)
T-O run 700-950 m (2,300-3,120 ft)
Landing run with brake-chute 600-900 m (1,970-2,955 ft)
Range: two PL-7 missiles and three 500 litre drop tanks 939 n miles (1,740 km
Self-ferry with one 800 litre and two 500 litre drop tanks, no missiles 1,203 n miles (2,230 km; 1,385 miles)
G limit +8
PERFORMANCE
(F-7PG)
Max operating Mach No. 2.0
Max level speed 648 kt (1,200 km/h; 745 mph)
Min level speed 114 kt (210 km/h; 131 mph)
Max rate of climb at S/L 11,700 m (38,386 ft)/min
Max instantaneous turn rate 25.2°/s
Sustained turn rate: at 1,000 m (3,280 ft) 16°/s
Sustained turn rate: at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) 11°/s
Sustained turn rate: at 8,000 m (26,250 ft) 8°/s
Service ceiling 17,500 m (57,420 ft)
Theoretical ceiling 18,000 m (59,060 ft)
Operational radius: air superiority (hi-hi-hi) with two AIM-9P AAMs and three 500 litre drop tanks, incl 5 min combat with afterburner 459 n miles (850 km; 528 miles)
Operational radius: air-to-ground attack (lo-lo-hi) with two Mk 82 bombs and two 500 litre drop tanks 297 n miles (550 km; 342 miles)
Ferry range 1,187 n miles (2,200 km; 1,367 miles)
G limits +8/-3
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