CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAC/PAC_JF-17_Thunder

The PAC JF-17 Thunder (Urdu: ?? ???-?? ????), or CAC FC-1 Xiaolong (pinyin: Xiao
Lóng; literally: "Fierce Dragon"), is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role
combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and
the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China. The JF-17 can be used for
aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception. Its designation
"JF-17" by Pakistan is short for "Joint Fighter-17", while the designation and
name "FC-1 Xiaolong" by China means "Fighter China-1 Fierce Dragon".

The JF-17 can deploy diverse ordnance, including air-to-air and air-to-surface
missiles, and a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon. Powered by a Guizhou
WS-13 or Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan, it has a top speed of Mach 1.6. The
JF-17 is to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), complementing
the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon at half the cost. The PAF inducted its
first JF-17 squadron in February 2010. In 2015 Pakistan produced 16 JF-17s. As
of 2016, Pakistan is believed to have the capacity to produce 25 JF-17 per year.
58% of the airframe is Pakistani and 42% Chinese/Russian-origin. As of December
2016, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has manufactured 70 jets in the country for
use by the Pakistan Air Force of the Block 1 type, and 33 jets of the Block 2
type.

The Pakistan Air Force plans, by 2017, to induct a twin-seater version known as
the JF-17B for both enhanced operational capability and training. Preparations
for a more advanced and technologically sophisticated block III version of the
aircraft are underway and the AESA radar, KJ-7A, has been developed, which can
track 15 targets and engage 4 targets simultaneously.

Since its induction in 2011, the JF-17 Thunder has accumulated 19,000 hours of
operational flight. The JF-17 has seen active military service as it is used by
the Pakistan Air Force to bomb militant positions in the War in North-West
Pakistan, using both unguided munitions and guided missiles for precision strike
capability. The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed it is expecting delivery of
JF-17 for use in military operations against militants in Northern Nigeria.


Role
Multirole combat aircraft

National origin
China / Pakistan

Manufacturer
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex

First flight
25 August 2003

Introduction
12 March 2007

Status
In service

Primary user
Pakistan Air Force , Myanmar Air Force

Produced
In China: June 2007 – present
In Pakistan: January 2008 – present

Number built
100+

Program cost
US$500 million

Unit cost

Block 1: US$~25 million
Block 2: US$ ~28 million
Block 3: US$ ~32 million (planned)

Small batch production of the single-seat, single-engine JF-17s began in China
in June 2006. The first two small-batch-produced aircraft were delivered on 2
March 2007 and first flew in Pakistan on 10 March. They took part in an aerial
display on 23 March 2007 as part of the Pakistan Day Joint Services Parade in
Islamabad. Another six small-batch-produced aircraft were delivered by March
2008. These were extensively flight-tested and evaluated by the PAF. Two serial
production aircraft were delivered from China in 2009 and the first
Pakistani-manufactured aircraft was delivered to the PAF in a ceremony on 23
November 2009.

On 18 February 2010, the first JF-17 squadron, No. 26 Black Spiders, was
officially inducted into the PAF with an initial strength of 14 fighter planes.
These aircraft first saw service in the anti-terrorist operation in South
Waziristan, during which various types of weapons were evaluated. They took part
in the PAF's High Mark 2010 exercise from 29 April, where they were used by the
Blue Force to attack Red Land surface targets with precision air-to-surface
weapons. A re-equipment ceremony for No. 26 Black Spiders Squadron took place on
11 April 2011, during which it was stated that the JF-17 had "revolutionized the
PAF's operational concepts". The then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal
Rao Qamar Suleman said: "Today as we re-equip No 26 squadron, we have also
raised No. 16 Squadron with the JF-17 Thunder aircraft. I would like to mention
and appreciate the contribution and support of the Chinese in helping us acquire
a technological breakthrough in the shape of this aircraft." According to
Pakistani forums, No 27 Squadron "Zarrars" replaced its Mirage 5EF with JF-17 in
2013. No 2 Squadron currently tasked with sea strikes reequipped with JF-17s in
Sept 2015 replacing the F7s. No 16 Squadron "Black Panthers" has also been
equipped with the JF-17. The next squadron is supposed to be No 7 Squadron. On
14 November 2011, at Kamra air base, one PAF JF-17 crashed, killing the pilot.
On 27 September 2016, one PAF JF-17 crashed into the Arabian sea, the pilot
ejecting safely. On 19 June 2017, it was reported that a JF-17 shot down an
Iranian UAV operating in Pakistan's Pangjur District.

Specifications (Block 2)

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 14.93 m (49 ft)
Wingspan: 9.48 m (31.1 ft, including 2 wingtip missiles)
Height: 4.72 m (15.5 ft)
Wing area: 24.43 m² (263 ft²)
Empty weight: 6,586 kg (14,520 lb)
Useful load: 4,325 kg (9,535 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 12,383 kg (29,750 lb)
G-limit: +8 g / -3 g
Internal Fuel Capacity: 2,329 kg (5,135 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Klimov RD-93 Afterburning Turbofan, with DEEC Dry thrust: 49.4
kN (11,105 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 85.3 kN (19,180 lbf)


Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (1,960.1 km/h; 1,217.9 mph)
Service ceiling: 16,916 m (55,500 ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.95,

Armament

Guns: 1× 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon
Hardpoints: 7 in total (4 × under-wing, 2 × wing-tip, 1 × under-fuselage) with a
capacity of 9,535 lb (4,325 kg) for external fuel and ordnance
Missiles:
Air-to-air missiles: PL-5EII (Short-range)
SD-10A (Beyond visual range)

Air-to-surface missiles: CM-102 Anti-radiation missile
C-802AK Anti-ship missile
CM-400AKG Anti-ship missile


Bombs: Unguided bombs: Mk-82 (General-purpose bomb)
Mk-83 (General-purpose bomb)
Mk-84 (General-purpose bomb)
Matra Durandal (Anti-runway bomb)
Rockeye Mk-20 (Anti-armour cluster bomb)

Guided bombs: GBU-12 (Laser-guided bomb)
GBU-16 (Laser-guided bomb)
GBU-10 (Laser-guided bomb)
LS-6 (GPS/INS guided bomb)
Range Extension Kit (GPS/INS guided bomb)


Others: GDJ-II19 dual ejection rack
Countermeasures (Flares, Chaff)
Up to 3 external drop tanks (1 × centreline drop tank 800 liters and 2 ×
under-wing drop tanks 800/1100 liters) for extended range/loitering time


Avionics

KLJ-7 V2 Airborne Pulse Doppler Fire Control Radar
Externally mounted avionics pods: AselPOD EO/IR Targeting System
KG300G Airborne Self-Protection Jamming Pod




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