JF-17
AIRCRAFT
👁 JF-17 Thunder
JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, light-weight, all weather, day / night multi-role fighter aircraft; developed as a joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical
Complex (PAC), Kamra and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) of China. It possesses excellent air-to-air and air-to-surface combat capabilities.
The state-of-the art avionics, optimally integrated sub-systems, computerized flight controls and capability to employ latest weapons provides decisive advantage
to JF-17 over adversaries of same class. This, all weather, multi-role light combat fighter has remarkable high combat manoeuvrability at medium
and low altitudes. With effective firepower, agility and combat survivability, the aircraft is likely to emerge as a potent platform for any air force.
Progress
The first JF-17 prototype aircraft (called FC-1) was rolled out in May 2003. It made its first flight in August 2003. Later on, two more prototype aircraft
were added for basic structure, flight qualities, performance and engine flight testing while two prototype aircraft were involved in comprehensive avionics
flight testing. The basic flight testing was completed in 2007 which also marked the arrival of JF-17 Thunder aircraft in Pakistan where it was formally
presented to the nation as a Pakistan Day gift on 23 March 2007. A Test and Evaluation Flight was established at PAC Kamra which carried out the detailed
operational evaluation of the aircraft as well as the training of ground and air crew. The JF-17 aircraft has been formally inducted in Pakistan Air Force
by replacing A-5 aircraft of an Operational Squadron of PAF. The aircraft was show cased for the first time at Farnborough Air Show UK in the year 2010.
👁 JF-17 Thunder
Production
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) holds the exclusive rights of 58% of JF-17 airframe co-production work. A comprehensive
infrastructure comprising state of the art machines and required skilled human resource has very quickly been developed at the Complex.
The final assembly and flight testing of the aircraft was the first JF-17 co-production activity to start at PAC. The first PAC produced aircraft was handed
over to Pakistan Air Force in November 2009. Since then, aircraft are being produced regularly to meet the required schedule. The co-production of sub
assemblies and structural parts has also commenced and is sequentially attaining the sustained production status. Besides upgrading the production system,
PAC has also upgraded its quality, technology and archive management systems to meet the
production and management standards of a 3rd generation fighter aircraft.
Specifications
|
Physical Parameters |
|
Length |
49 ft |
| Height |
15.5 ft |
|
Wingspan |
31 ft |
| Empty Weight |
14,520 lb |
|
Performance Parameters |
| Maximum Take Off Weight |
27,300 lb |
| Max Mach No |
1.6 |
| Maximum Speed |
700 Knots IAS |
| Service Ceiling |
55,500 ft |
| Thrust to Weight Ratio |
0.95 |
| Maximum Engine Thrust |
19,000 lb |
| G Limit |
+8,-3 |
| Ferry Range |
1,880 NM |
|
Armament |
| No of Stations |
07 |
| Total Load Capacity |
3400 lb |
|
👁 JF-17 Thunder
Design Features
Aerodynamic Configuration
- Bifurcated side air inlet with incorporation of latest
BUMP intake technology for improved performance
- Leading edge maneuvering flaps
- Trailing edge flaps
- Twin Ventral Fins
Landing Gear
- Nose gear with steering
- Main gear with paddle controlled hydraulic brakes and
anti-skid braking system.
Comfortable Cockpit Escape and Egress System
- NVG compatible cockpit conforming to US MIL
Standard, suitable for 3% to 98% percentile range of pilots.
- Single Piece Stretch Acrylic Transparent Canopy
providing a good all around Field of Vie
- Ejection Seat
- a- Latest Martin Baker high performance ejection seat
- b- Canopy Severance System for additional safety
- c- French Oxygen Regulation System
- d- Passive Leg Restraint System
|
Environment Control System and Oxygen System
- Effective control of cockpit pressure and temperature
- Effective temperature and humidity control of cockpit
and avionics for optimum performance
- Efficient Anti G system for Pilot
- Oxygen supply duration three hours
Flight Control System
- Composite Flight Control System comprising
conventional controls with stability augmentation in roll
and yaw axis and fly by wire in pitch axis
- Quad-redundancy in Fly By Wire System
- Autopilot with Altitude hold and Attitude hold modes
Fuel System
- Total internal fuel 5130 lb (3000 liters)
- Single point pressure refueling system
- External Fuel
- a- One centre line drop tank 800 liters
- b- Two under wing drop tanks 800/1100 liters
|
Avionics Suite
👁 JF-17 Thunder
The avionics suite makes the JF-17 an effective weapon platform. The glass cockpit and
hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls reduce pilot workload. Accurate navigation
and weapon aiming information on the head up display help the pilot achieve his mission
effectively. The multifunction displays provide information on engine, fuel, hydraulics,
electrical, flight control and environmental control system on a need-to-know basis along
with basic flight and tactical information. The capability has been built around highly
modern state-of-the-art avionics equipment. The salient avionics equipment is as follows:
- Dual redundant mission computers
- Dual redundant 1553 Mux bus architecture
- Multi-mode Pulse Doppler Radar capable of tracking multiple targets with prioritized firing
- Ring laser gyro inertial navigation system tied with GPS
- Smart head up display with up front control panel. SHUD total field of view is 25 Degrees
- Color video recording camera and video recorder (for SMFCDs)
- HOTAS
- Three smart multi function color displays
- Air Data Computer
- Radar Altimeter
- IFF Interrogator/Transponder
- Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI)
- BVR/Communication Data link
- hVHF / UHF Communication System
Weapons Capability
The aircraft is fitted with modern Stores Management System incorporating accurate weapon delivery modes and solutions involving
minimum pilot workload. The aircraft is capable of carrying some of the most modern as well as conventional weapons, including:
- 70-100 Km range beyond visual range active missiles
- Highly agile Imaging infrared short range missiles
- Air to sea missiles
- Anti radiation missiles
- Laser guided weapons
- Runway penetration bombs
- General purpose bombs
- Training bombs
- 23 mm double barrel gun
