The PAC JF-17 Thunder, also known as the Chengdu FC-1 Fierce Dragon (simplified chinese 枭龙, traditional chinese 梟龍, pinyin:Xiāo Lóng or Xiaolong) in China, is a single-seat, multi-role fighter aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan.
While its general layout reflects a third-generation fighter design approach, it incorporates some more advanced features such as leading edge extensions and a diverterless supersonic inlet, and most systems are fourth-generation.
The "JF" and "FC" designations stand for "Joint Fighter" and "Fighter China" respectively. The first two aircraft were delivered to the Pakistan Air Force on 2007-03-12. The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of air forces of developing countries.
On January 22, 2008, Pakistan started serial production of the aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
The FC-1 is a lightweight multi-role fighter powered by a single Klimov RD-93 (derivative of the RD-33) turbofan. It is capable of beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air combat, as well as laser-guided weapons delivery. Because the FC-1 has been developed primarily for the PAF and export market, it provides a low-cost replacement for many developing countries that are currently operating the ageing MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed and Northrop F-5 series. The unit price is estimated to be US$15 million.
The "JF" and "FC" designations stand for "Joint Fighter" and "Fighter China" respectively. The first two aircraft were delivered to the Pakistan Air Force on 2007-03-12. The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of air forces of developing countries.
On January 22, 2008, Pakistan started serial production of the aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
The FC-1 is a lightweight multi-role fighter powered by a single Klimov RD-93 (derivative of the RD-33) turbofan. It is capable of beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air combat, as well as laser-guided weapons delivery. Because the FC-1 has been developed primarily for the PAF and export market, it provides a low-cost replacement for many developing countries that are currently operating the ageing MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed and Northrop F-5 series. The unit price is estimated to be US$15 million.
JF-17 Thunder | FC-1 Fierce Dragon Detailed Specification
Fighter China-1 (FC-1 Fierce Dragon)
Chengdu continued the development under the new designation FC-1 (Fighter China-1) aimed at creating an affordable fighter for the export market. In 1995 Pakistan regained interest in a joint development with China. The 1993 US sanctions prevented the PAF from acquiring Western technology or weapons. In June 1999, China and Pakistan signed the joint development and production agreement to co-develop the FC-1. Chengdu was selected as primary contractor and the Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) was contracted to provide the Klimov RD-93 turbofan engine and design assistance too.
The FC-1 design of today has little in common with the J-7 and is believed to be based on Mikoyan's concept for a single-engine fighter based on the MiG-29. The FC-1 also shows features from the F-16 design, although the layout is somewhat more conventional.
Pakistan JF-17 Thunder
In Pakistan the new fighter received the designation JF-17 (Joint Fighter-17) and is planned to replace the F-7, Mirage III/5 and Q-5. The Pakistan Air Force will probably be the biggest customer and thus is strongly involved in the development of the aircraft. However Chinese avionics were not meeting the PAF requirements and introducing Western avionics still proved to be a problem with the sanctions in place. It was not until the platform development and avionics system were de-coupled in early 2001, that the program started making progress. Also progressing was Chinese technology. PAF agreed to the use of Chinese avionics, although it still have to made its mind up regarding the fire-control radar. The most likely contender being the Italian-built Grifo S7 radar, PAF F-7P, F-7PG and Mirages are also equipped with Grifo radars.
Armament: one internal GSh-23-2 twin-barrel 23mm cannon; up to 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) of ordnance including PL-7, PL-10, R550 Magic-2, A-Darter, PL-5C, AIM-9L/P, Mica, Aspide, air-to-air missiles, AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile, Mk.82 Mk.84 GBU-10, GBU-12, Durandel, Rockeye, and Chinese equivalent air-to-ground weapons, unguided rockets, auxiliary fuel tanks, carried on up to 7 external stations. Two wingtip station, four underwing and one centerfuselage.
Chengdu continued the development under the new designation FC-1 (Fighter China-1) aimed at creating an affordable fighter for the export market. In 1995 Pakistan regained interest in a joint development with China. The 1993 US sanctions prevented the PAF from acquiring Western technology or weapons. In June 1999, China and Pakistan signed the joint development and production agreement to co-develop the FC-1. Chengdu was selected as primary contractor and the Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) was contracted to provide the Klimov RD-93 turbofan engine and design assistance too.
The FC-1 design of today has little in common with the J-7 and is believed to be based on Mikoyan's concept for a single-engine fighter based on the MiG-29. The FC-1 also shows features from the F-16 design, although the layout is somewhat more conventional.
Pakistan JF-17 Thunder
In Pakistan the new fighter received the designation JF-17 (Joint Fighter-17) and is planned to replace the F-7, Mirage III/5 and Q-5. The Pakistan Air Force will probably be the biggest customer and thus is strongly involved in the development of the aircraft. However Chinese avionics were not meeting the PAF requirements and introducing Western avionics still proved to be a problem with the sanctions in place. It was not until the platform development and avionics system were de-coupled in early 2001, that the program started making progress. Also progressing was Chinese technology. PAF agreed to the use of Chinese avionics, although it still have to made its mind up regarding the fire-control radar. The most likely contender being the Italian-built Grifo S7 radar, PAF F-7P, F-7PG and Mirages are also equipped with Grifo radars.
Armament: one internal GSh-23-2 twin-barrel 23mm cannon; up to 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) of ordnance including PL-7, PL-10, R550 Magic-2, A-Darter, PL-5C, AIM-9L/P, Mica, Aspide, air-to-air missiles, AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile, Mk.82 Mk.84 GBU-10, GBU-12, Durandel, Rockeye, and Chinese equivalent air-to-ground weapons, unguided rockets, auxiliary fuel tanks, carried on up to 7 external stations. Two wingtip station, four underwing and one centerfuselage.
Photo gallery of JF-17 Thunder | FC-1 Fierce Dragon
FC-1, great for wallpaper
Pakistan JF-17 (3D artist impression)
Pakistan JF-17 (3D artist impression)
Pakistan JF-17 , great colour with Pakistan flag crescent and star
FC-1, great for wallpaper
JF-17 Thunder
