From what I understand the South African F-1s were inferior to the MiG-23 in radar and missiles due to the arms embargo against South Africa. F-1 also had inferior acceleration which reflected the lack of success the Iraqis had using it against Iranian F-14 compared to the MiG-23. The F-1 should be a better air superiority fighter with the right avionics and weapons, but with half the thrust it could not be the rough field capable pure interceptor the MiG was designed to be.

however the grid on the PAKFA is inside, i do not think it will experiment the same trouble than one outside and on the intake lip like the one of F-117

Having that grid obstructing airflow though has got to effect performance. Maybe the PAKFA isn’t as fast as we have imagined. Not that it would be slow, just unexceptional.

The wind tunnel model for J-31 had big leading-edge extensions, wonder why the flying prototype got rid of them.

According to Mountain, no developing country could have made something like the JF-17.

I think you’re misquoting me. Other than China, there are no fighters comparable to the JF-17 made by developing countries in service anywhere. It’s not all things to everyone, but it fills PAF’s needs and it’s being built at the rate that was promised. The operator seems quite happy with it, and that’s a more useful metric of the program’s success than whether or not another air force facing very different challenges buy any.

But Pakistan makes it and they claim credit for almost the whole program. JF-17 is unimaginable without Pakistani input. Not sure if the Chinese would have succeeded in their low cost export fighter project without PAFs input.

Pakistan did have significant design input, without which the FC-1 would be a very different plane. The cockpit instrumentation display and layout is based on their experience with the F-16, and the way you access maintenance panels on this jet is also based on Pakistani requirement, including their analysis of how the Gripen is maintained in the field. It’s not just a matter of the Pakistanis funding the R&D. I never heard the Chinese cast aspersion on their involvement.

Bit late for that. Unless we count the training establishment for foreign operators as US service, the F-5A was already an export success when the USAF bought a handful (passed on to other air forces after a couple of years) for the short-lived Skoshi Tiger programme.

USAF operated F-5s in Vietnam, even losing 7 in combat. It is an interesting bit of trivia, I can’t recall any jet fighter that made sales without ever going into service with the country of origin. I guess it speaks to the unusual business practice of CAC, especially in light of how many projects they had to juggle at once.

Dear Blitzo,

Everything that you put (or omit) on an airplane shape create drags.

In particular case, an acute V-tail create less pitching moment per degree of deflection of its govern. Hence more deflection needed -> mode drag.

In the case of a massive nose put far field frw of the CG, you’ll need more surface deflection to correct any drift or yaw angle. UAV range is all abt a clean design. Especially a tail less for example.

The large chord wing will also create more drag than one with a huge aspect ratio and small chord.

The Compass Arrow had this wing because it was derived from the Firebee family and needed some sort of commonality.

I hope it clears the misunderstanding.

It looks like Global Hawk with more swept wings. Probably the losing competitor to Soar Dragon.

I will give China credit for doing all that it can to bring its forces up to 21th century standards. However it should be understood that China is trying to hit a moving target and may never hit this moving target. Still there’s no shame in trying I say.

They don’t have to hit anything, all they need to do is bingo fuel the other guys.

This is unfortunately not accurate…

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/virginia-f-18-crash/

Of course the RD-33’s track record is less than perfect as well, the 1989 Paris Air Show crash comes to mind…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh3c3U5ajWE

There was a 2008 crash at Miramar caused by dual engine failure as well if I recall.