First two-seat JF-17B flown in China

THE FIRST prototype of the twin-seat JF-17B Thunder multi-role fighter performed its maiden flight at Chengdu, China on April 27. This version was unveiled by CAC/CATIC at the 2013 Paris Air Show and since then some design details have evolved. Most obviously, the new aircraft has a second cockpit and a dorsal spine accommodating relocated avionics, and a slightly taller and more prominently swept tailfin. Overall the JF-17B is based on the current JF-17A Block II configuration that also features