FC-1/Super-7/JF-17 Fierce Dragon/Thunder
Revealed as the successor of the cancelled Sino-US Super-7 project, FC-1 (Fighter China-1, max TO weight 12,104kg, max speed 1.8M, ceiling 18,000m, max weapon load 3,900kg, ferry range 3,000km, max g load +8.5) is being developed by CAC/611 Institute (with some technical assistance from Russian Mikoyan OKB) as a “medium tech”, light weight fighter/ground attack aircraft carrying a relatively cheap price tag (~$20m). As a fighter designed for export, its main customer is expected to be Pakistan who also shares 50% of the total cost ($150m so far). It may also compete with second-hand F-16s to seize the market created by the retirement of Mig-21s, Mirage III and F-5s. Powered by a Russian RD-93 turbofan (an upgraded RD-33), it might also be powered by a domestically produced engine (Kunlun II or locally produced RD-93/WS-13?) if it ever enters the service with PLAAF (in place of F-7MF?). The A-6 style “V” shaped air-intakes are believed to provide smooth air flow to the engine at high AoA. The fire control radar is expected to be either FIAR Grifo S7 or a downgraded radar based on Type 1473 installed on J-10. Other avionics include a 25° field of view HUD, two MFDs, HOTAS and INS/GPS. However some of them have not been finalized. Weapon load includes both short (AIM-9P/PL-9/Magic 2) and medium-range AAMs (Aspide/SD-10). LGBs and laser designatin pod can also be carried for precision strike missions. The first prototype of FC-1 was set to fly in 1998, but the schedule was repeatedly postponed caused by various problems, such as lack of funding, the reluctance of western countries to supply advanced avionics, as well as the revised specifications set by PAF to counter the threat from India’s LCAs. These specifications include a new digital quadruplex FBW system (in pitch only, still mechanical in roll) and a true BVR attack capability with active radar guided medium-range AAMs (SD-10). In addition, FC-1’s prospect in the domestic market has not been that promising, as PLAAF has largely committed to the more advanced J-10 as its next generation fighter along with Su-27/J-11 and is reluctant to take any FC-1 due to its extensive western content and a Russian engine. After lenghty negotiations, Pakistani government finally signed the contract with CATIC and CAC/611 in 1999 and gave the “go ahead” order to the much delayed project. The develpment was further accelarated after PAF recommitted the project and confirmed FC-1’s techincal specifications in detail in February 2001. A full-scale mock-up was soon constructed. A total of 4 prototypes (01-04) will be built at CAC. The 01 prototype rolled down the assembly line on May 31, 2003 with two samll wing fences (later removed) and powered by a basic RD-33 turbofan. Its maiden flight took place on August 25, 2003, carrying two dummy PL-5E AAMs at wingtips. The 02 prototype was built for static stress test. The 03 prototype first flew on April 9, 2004 without the two small wing fences. The 04 Prototype is expected to fly in 2005 fitted with full suite of avionics. Pakistani AF planed to acquire at least 150 JF-17s (Joint Fighter-17/Thunder) starting from 2006. The first batch may include 16 aircraft, with 8 destined for PAF and 8 for PLAAF. Some of the JF-17 production may eventually be transferred to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). Serial production will start in 2007 at an annual rate of 15-20. It was reported that the production version would feature a fullly authorized FBW, upgraded RD-93 engine and a Chinese designed KLJ-10 radar. Besides Pakistan, several Asian and African countries also expressed interest in FC-1, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran and Zimbabwe. A two-seat trainer version has been proposed as well.
http://www.stormpages.com/jetfight/J-10_J-11_FC-1.htm
Sign In
