China and Grumman (USA) signed a $550 million agreement to modernize 55 J-7 Fighters under the project called "Super-7". However the project was cancelled due to political problems and significant increases in the cost.
As a substitute to Super-7, China started the FC-1 project. In February 1992, CATIC (China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation) invited the Pakistan to invest in the project in return for huge Transfer of Technology and participation in R&D of the project. Pakistan Accepted.
The First Flight was planned in 1996, but it got delayed because Pakistan wished to upgrade the characteristics in response to India's acquisitions of Su-30MKI. The project began to Stagnate. But in 1998, Pakistani PM's visit to China resulted in the continuation of the Programme.
As a substitute to Super-7, China started the FC-1 project. In February 1992, CATIC (China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation) invited the Pakistan to invest in the project in return for huge Transfer of Technology and participation in R&D of the project. Pakistan Accepted.
The First Flight was planned in 1996, but it got delayed because Pakistan wished to upgrade the characteristics in response to India's acquisitions of Su-30MKI. The project began to Stagnate. But in 1998, Pakistani PM's visit to China resulted in the continuation of the Programme.
In 1999, sanctions on Pakistan led to serious setbacks on the programme. Pakistan hoped to Install Western Avionics on the plane, which was now not possible.
Year 2001 saw the changes in approach to develop the Fighter plane. The development of Airframe was de-linked from the development of Avionics. The Comprehensive design was completed in September 2002 while the development of different aircraft systems progressed. The First Aircraft was assembled by May 2003.
AVIONICS:
JF-17 Avionics Architecture will be supported by two mission computers based on around Multi-Bus System (MIL-STD-1553B). The heart of the system is a 32-bit Weapon and Mission management Computer (WMMC) which performs mission computations, flight management, reconfiguration / redundancy management and in-flight system self-test.
The Aircraft will be equipped with advanced multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar for air to air, air to surface attack capabilities. Accurate navigation and guidance is realized through hybrid technology using Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) based Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). Independent Data link with 2 Independent Wide-Band Radios will take care of communication even during intense EW environment . EW suite comprises of Self Production Jammer (SPJ), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Chaff & Flare Dispenser (CFD). Laser Designator and Targeting Pod (LDTP) is for target illumination and detection with day/ night capabilities.
Glass cockpit uses Smart Multifunction Color Display (SMFCD) and Smart Heads-Up Display (SHUD) with built in symbol generation capability to optimize integrated architecture. ICP and HOTAS arrangement. Identification of Friend and foe (IFF) implements Secure mode for EW environment. Target verification is with onboard IFF interrogator for BVR missile firing.
Sources: Pakdef & Zafar Iqbal's Report (Some Text also taken from this report)
JF-17 has quadruplex, digital, fly-by-wire flight control system and two hydraulic systems for backup.
A Chinese Radar has been selected for the initial batch of JF-17s and FC-1s. Pakistan may or may not select a Radar from Italy or France. FC-1s are likely to have Chinese Radars, but their is a competition from Russia and Israel.
Information on Radars:
KLJ-10:
There is not much known about this Chinese Radar, it is a probably a variant of radar used on J-10. It has met PAF's requirements and therefore has been chosen for initial batch. One can get some idea of its capability by looking at other Radars, whose Manufacturers were/are competing for JF-17/FC-1 Radar Contract.
RC-400:
This Radar is believed to have a range of around 100 KM and can track as many as 32 targets. More information is available at the Official Site
- Shan Dian-10 (SD-10):
SD-10 is beleived to be under development since 1997.
The SD-10 has four engagement modes. To take the greatest advantage of its maximum range it will use a mix of command guidance (via a datalink) plus its own inertial guidance before entering the active radar terminal guidance phase. The missile can also be launched to a pre-selected point, using its strap-down inertial system, before switching on its own seeker for a terminal search. Over short ranges the missile can be launched in a 'fire-and-forget' mode using its own active seeker from the outset. Finally, the SD-10 has a 'home-on-jam' mode that allows it to passively track and engage an emitting target, without ever using its own active radar or a radar from the launch aircraft. The seeker is connected to a digital flight control system that uses signal processing techniques to track a target. The missile's warhead is linked to a laser proximity fuse.
The SD-10 is claimed to have an operational ceiling of 20 km, with a maximum effective range of 70 km and a minimum engagement range of 1,000 m. The missile has a 40 g manoeuvring limit and, according to CATIC, it has been tested for a 100-hour captive 'live flight' life.
(From Jane's Air Launched Weapons 2003)
Specifications
Length: 3.85 m
Body diameter: 203 mm
Wing span: n/k
Launch weight: 180 kg
Warhead: HE fragmentation
Fuze: Active proximity fuse
Guidance: Inertial mid-course and /or datalink updates, with active radar terminal homing
Propulsion: Solid dual-thrust rocket motor
Range: 70 km (in a head on engagement)
JF-17 Avionics Architecture will be supported by two mission computers based on around Multi-Bus System (MIL-STD-1553B). The heart of the system is a 32-bit Weapon and Mission management Computer (WMMC) which performs mission computations, flight management, reconfiguration / redundancy management and in-flight system self-test.
The Aircraft will be equipped with advanced multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar for air to air, air to surface attack capabilities. Accurate navigation and guidance is realized through hybrid technology using Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) based Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). Independent Data link with 2 Independent Wide-Band Radios will take care of communication even during intense EW environment . EW suite comprises of Self Production Jammer (SPJ), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Chaff & Flare Dispenser (CFD). Laser Designator and Targeting Pod (LDTP) is for target illumination and detection with day/ night capabilities.
Glass cockpit uses Smart Multifunction Color Display (SMFCD) and Smart Heads-Up Display (SHUD) with built in symbol generation capability to optimize integrated architecture. ICP and HOTAS arrangement. Identification of Friend and foe (IFF) implements Secure mode for EW environment. Target verification is with onboard IFF interrogator for BVR missile firing.
Sources: Pakdef & Zafar Iqbal's Report (Some Text also taken from this report)
JF-17 has quadruplex, digital, fly-by-wire flight control system and two hydraulic systems for backup.
A Chinese Radar has been selected for the initial batch of JF-17s and FC-1s. Pakistan may or may not select a Radar from Italy or France. FC-1s are likely to have Chinese Radars, but their is a competition from Russia and Israel.
Information on Radars:
KLJ-10:
There is not much known about this Chinese Radar, it is a probably a variant of radar used on J-10. It has met PAF's requirements and therefore has been chosen for initial batch. One can get some idea of its capability by looking at other Radars, whose Manufacturers were/are competing for JF-17/FC-1 Radar Contract.
RC-400:
This Radar is believed to have a range of around 100 KM and can track as many as 32 targets. More information is available at the Official Site
WEAPON:
JF-17/FC-1 has 7 store stations and can carry up to 3,800 KG of external load.
The Plane can carry a range of Short-Range, Long-Range, Anti-Ship and Anti-Radiation missiles. The Aircraft can be armed with LGBs and other unguided weaponry for Strike Purposes.
Following is the list of weaponry readily available and/or which can be easily integrated with the Radar of Chinese origin.
JF-17/FC-1 has 7 store stations and can carry up to 3,800 KG of external load.
The Plane can carry a range of Short-Range, Long-Range, Anti-Ship and Anti-Radiation missiles. The Aircraft can be armed with LGBs and other unguided weaponry for Strike Purposes.
Following is the list of weaponry readily available and/or which can be easily integrated with the Radar of Chinese origin.
- Shan Dian-10 (SD-10):
SD-10 is beleived to be under development since 1997.
The SD-10 has four engagement modes. To take the greatest advantage of its maximum range it will use a mix of command guidance (via a datalink) plus its own inertial guidance before entering the active radar terminal guidance phase. The missile can also be launched to a pre-selected point, using its strap-down inertial system, before switching on its own seeker for a terminal search. Over short ranges the missile can be launched in a 'fire-and-forget' mode using its own active seeker from the outset. Finally, the SD-10 has a 'home-on-jam' mode that allows it to passively track and engage an emitting target, without ever using its own active radar or a radar from the launch aircraft. The seeker is connected to a digital flight control system that uses signal processing techniques to track a target. The missile's warhead is linked to a laser proximity fuse.
The SD-10 is claimed to have an operational ceiling of 20 km, with a maximum effective range of 70 km and a minimum engagement range of 1,000 m. The missile has a 40 g manoeuvring limit and, according to CATIC, it has been tested for a 100-hour captive 'live flight' life.
(From Jane's Air Launched Weapons 2003)
Specifications
Length: 3.85 m
Body diameter: 203 mm
Wing span: n/k
Launch weight: 180 kg
Warhead: HE fragmentation
Fuze: Active proximity fuse
Guidance: Inertial mid-course and /or datalink updates, with active radar terminal homing
Propulsion: Solid dual-thrust rocket motor
Range: 70 km (in a head on engagement)
ENGINE:
RD-93 has been developed by Klimov Design Bureau in St. Petersburg. It is a variant of Klimov RD-33 Turbofan Engine which powers the MIG-29 Fulcrum. The most significant difference being the repositioning of the gearbox along the bottom of the engine casing.
RD-33
Thrust (Afterburner): 8300 kgf /18,260 lb
Thrust: 5040 kgf / 11,090 lb
Specific Fuel Consumption: 2.1 kg/kgf/Hr in afterburner, 0.77 military
Bypass Ratio: 0.46
Compressor Pressure Ratio: 21
Maximum Turbine Inlet Temperature: 1680 K
Service Life, hr: 4000
Length: 4.230m
Maximum Diameter: 1.040m
Mass: 1055 kg
There have been some problems. The engine was emitting black smoke, which makes it easier for the enemy pilot to spot the plane. This puts the pilot in inferior position during a dogfight. It is not clear whether the fuel or the engine was responsible for the smoke and the issue has been resolved.
The contract between China and Russia over re-exporting the engines to Pakistan has ran into dispute. Russia is sending mixed signals whether the issue has been resolved or not. The issue is mainly political because Russia has never sold advanced weaponry or its components to Pakistan due to the regional politics. Russia is also saying that FC-1s fitted with RD-93 are not allowed to compete where Russian Aircraft are competing.
China is also working on an indigenous engine which has the potential to power the FC-1 in future.
RD-93 has been developed by Klimov Design Bureau in St. Petersburg. It is a variant of Klimov RD-33 Turbofan Engine which powers the MIG-29 Fulcrum. The most significant difference being the repositioning of the gearbox along the bottom of the engine casing.
RD-33
Thrust (Afterburner): 8300 kgf /18,260 lb
Thrust: 5040 kgf / 11,090 lb
Specific Fuel Consumption: 2.1 kg/kgf/Hr in afterburner, 0.77 military
Bypass Ratio: 0.46
Compressor Pressure Ratio: 21
Maximum Turbine Inlet Temperature: 1680 K
Service Life, hr: 4000
Length: 4.230m
Maximum Diameter: 1.040m
Mass: 1055 kg
There have been some problems. The engine was emitting black smoke, which makes it easier for the enemy pilot to spot the plane. This puts the pilot in inferior position during a dogfight. It is not clear whether the fuel or the engine was responsible for the smoke and the issue has been resolved.
The contract between China and Russia over re-exporting the engines to Pakistan has ran into dispute. Russia is sending mixed signals whether the issue has been resolved or not. The issue is mainly political because Russia has never sold advanced weaponry or its components to Pakistan due to the regional politics. Russia is also saying that FC-1s fitted with RD-93 are not allowed to compete where Russian Aircraft are competing.
China is also working on an indigenous engine which has the potential to power the FC-1 in future.
No comments:
Post a Comment