HISTORY/MAKING OF JF-17 THUNDER
Air-frame:
The air frame is of semi-monocoque structure constructed primarily of aluminum alloys. High strength steel and titanium alloys are partially adopted in some critical areas. The air frame is designed for a service life of 4,000 flight hours or 25 years, the first overhaul being due at 1,200 flight hours.[30] Block 2 JF-17s incorporate greater use of composite materials in the air frame to reduce weight.[93][misquoted]
The retractable undercarriage has a tricycle arrangement with a single steerable nose-wheel and two main undercarriages. The hydraulic brakes have an automatic anti-skid system. The position and shape of the inlets is designed to give the required airflow to the jet engine during maneuvers involving high angles of attack. The mid-mounted wings are of cropped-delta configuration. Near the wing root are the LERX, which generate a vortex that provides extra lift to the wing at high angles of attack encountered during combat maneuvers. A conventional tri-plane empennage arrangement is incorporated, with all-moving stabilators, single vertical stabilizer, rudder, and twin ventral fins. The flight control system (FCS) comprises conventional controls with stability augmentation in the yaw and roll axis and a digital fly-by-wire (FBW) system in the pitch axis. The leading-edge slats/flaps and Trailing edge flaps are automatically adjusted during maneuvering to increase turning performance. The FCS of serial production aircraft reportedly have a digital quadruplex (quad-redundant) FBW system in the pitch axis and a duplex (dual-redundant) FBW system in the roll and yaw axis.
The glass cockpit is covered by a transparent, acrylic canopy that provides the pilot with a good, all-round field of view. It has three large Multifunction Colour Displays (MFD) and smart Heads-Up Display (HUD) with built-in symbol generation capability.
The avionics software incorporates
the concept of open architecture. Instead of the military-optimized Ada
programming language, the software is written using the popular C++ programming
language, enabling the use of the numerous civilian programmers’ available. The
aircraft also includes a health and usage monitoring system, and automatic test
equipment. [Dubious – discuss].
The JF-17 has a defensive aids system
(DAS) composed of various integrated sub-systems. A radar warning receiver
(RWR) provides data such as direction and proximity of enemy radars, and an
electronic warfare (EW) suite housed in a fairing at the tip of the tail fin
interferes with enemy radars. The EW suite is also linked to a Missile Approach
Warning (MAW) system to defend against radar-guided missiles. The MAW system
uses several optical sensors across the airframe to detect the rocket motors of
missiles across 360-degree coverage. [Self-published source] Data from the MAW
system, such as direction of inbound missiles and the time to impact is shown
on cockpit displays and the HUD. A countermeasures dispensing system releases
decoy flares and chaff to help evade hostile radar and missiles. The DAS
systems will also be enhanced by integration of a self-protection radar-jamming
pod that will be carried externally on a hard point.
The first forty-two PAF production
aircraft are equipped with the NRIET KLJ-7 radar,[96][97] a variant of the
KLJ-10 radar developed by China's Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic
Technology (NRIET) and also used on the Chengdu J-10. Multiple modes can manage
the surveillance and engagement of up to forty air, ground, and sea targets;
the track-while-scan mode can track up to ten targets at BVR and can engage two
simultaneously with radar-homing AAMs. The operation range for targets with a
radar cross-section (RCS) of 5 m2 (54 sq ft) is stated to be ≥ 105 km (65 mi)
in look-up mode and ≥ 85 km (53 mi) in look-down mode.[97][98] A forward
looking infrared (FLIR) pod for low-level navigation and infra-red search and
track (IRST) system for passive targeting can also be integrated;[30] the JF-17
Block 2 is believed to incorporate an IRST.[93] In April 2016, Air Marshal
Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said that, "JF-17 needs a targeting pod, as the
jets' usefulness in current operations was limited due to lack of precision
targeting. To fulfill this gap the Air Force was interested in buying the
Thales-made Damocles, a third-generation targeting pod; which was a priority.
In 2017, Aselsans ASELPOD was tested and successfully integrated with the JF-17
and Pakistan has subsequently purchased at least eight targeting pods from
Aselsan. [100] This integration has significantly enhanced the JF-17 platform's
ability to launch precision strikes.
A helmet-mounted sight (HMS)
developed by Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre of AVIC was
developed in parallel with the JF-17; it was first tested on Prototype 04 in
2006.It was dubbed as EO HMS, (Electro-Optical Helmet Mounted Sight) and was
first revealed to the public in 2008 at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow, where a partial
mock-up was on display. [Citation needed] The HMS tracks the pilot's head and
eye movements to guide missiles towards the pilot's visual target. [Self-published
source] An externally carried day/night laser designator targeting pod may be
integrated with the avionics to guide laser-guided bombs (LGBs). An extra hard
point may be added under the starboard air intake, opposite the cannon, for
such pods. To reduce the numbers of targeting pods required, the aircraft's
tactical data link can transmit target data to other aircraft not equipped with
targeting pods. [Self-published source] The communication systems comprise two
VHF/UHF radios; the VHF radio has the capacity for data linking for
communication with ground control centers, airborne early warning and control
aircraft and combat aircraft with compatible data links for network-centric
warfare, and improved situation awareness. The aircraft uses RLGs along with
GPS for navigation. The aircraft is equipped with an IFF Transponder which
allows it to differentiate between friendly aircraft and enemy aircraft. The
ACMI aids in aerial combat for maneuvering.
ENGINE:
The first two blocks of JF-17 is powered by a single Russian RD-93 turbofan engine, which is a variant of the Klimov RD-33 engine used on the MiG-29 fighter. The engine gives more thrust and significantly lower specific fuel consumption than turbojet engines fitted to older combat aircraft being replaced by the JF-17.
The RD-93 is known to produce smoke trails. The Guizhou Aero
Engine Group has been developing a new turbofan engine, the WS-13 Taishan,
since 2000 to replace the RD-93. It is based on the RD-33 and incorporates new
technologies to boost performance and reliability. A thrust output of 80 to
86.36 kN (17,980 to 19,410 lbf), a lifespan of 2,200 hours, and a
thrust-to-weight ratio of 8.7 are expected. An improved version of the WS-13,
developing a thrust of around 100 KN (22,000 lbf) (22,450 lb), is also
reportedly under development. During the 2015 Paris Air Show, it was announced
that flight testing of a JF-17 equipped with the WS-13 engine had begun. In
2015, a representative of PAC said that Pakistan would continue to use the
RD-93 engine on their fighters. Local media reports in January 2016 said that
Russia was planning to sell engines for JF-17 directly to Pakistan. According
to a PAC representative, Pakistan is looking to collaborate with Russia in
developing and repairing engines. [Citation needed].
FUEL SYSTEM:
The fuel system comprises internal fuel tanks located in the wings and fuselage with a capacity of 2,330 kg (5,140 lb); they are refueled through a single point pressure refueling system (see turbine fuel systems). Internal fuel storage can be supplemented by external fuel tanks. One 800-litre (180 imp gal) drop tank can be mounted on the aircraft's centerline hard point under the fuselage and two 800-litre or 1,110-litre (240 imp gal) drop tanks can be mounted on the two inboard under-wing hard points The fuel system is compatible with in-flight refueling (IFR), allowing tanker aircraft to refuel in flight, and increasing its range and loitering time significantly.
ARMAMENTS:
The JF-17 can be armed with up to 3,400 lb (1,500 kg) of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, and other equipment mounted externally on the aircraft's seven hard points. One hard point is located under the fuselage between the main landing gear, two are underneath each wing, and one is at each wing-tip. All seven hard points communicate via a MIL-STD-1760 data-bus architecture with the Stores Management System, which is stated to be capable of integration with weaponry of any origin. Internal armament comprises one 23 mm (0.91 in) GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon mounted under the port side air intake, which can be replaced with a 30 mm (1.2 in) GSh-30-2 twin-barrel cannon.
Unguided air-to-ground weaponry
includes rocket pods, gravity bombs and Matra Durandal anti-runway munitions.
Precision-guided munitions such as LGBs and satellite-guided bombs are also
compatible with the JF-17, as are other guided weapons such as anti-ship
missiles and anti-radiation missiles. Pakistan planned to bring the Brazilian
MAR-1 anti-radiation missile into service on its JF-17 fleet in 2014.
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