J-10
J-10 (project 10) is a new fourth generation
multi-role fighter being developed by Chengdu Aircraft Co. as a cheaper
alternative to complement the heavier Su-27. The project started in
the mid-80s based on the experience (delta wing and canard) with J-9,
which was canceled in the early 80s in favor of the less risky
J-7III/MIG-21MF project. Shown here for the first time is what's believed
to be an early model of J-10 carrying PL-8 (Python-3 copy)
short-range AAM (IR homing to 5km) and a PL-10 medium-range AAM carried
underneath the wing. Other interesting features include a Mirage-2000
style air-intake with a center cone for better high speed performance and
a Lavi style tail section, which appears to be suggesting a possible
connection with the canceled Israeli
fighter. But its overall profile is fairly conventional, not as
"stealthy" as the images released by CIA
based on the satellite photos. This suggest that J-10 went through
at least one major redesign in its 10-year development period from the
initial conventional layout to the latest semi-stealthy design. Various
pieces of evidence indicate it is likely to feature a EF-2000 style
retangular air intake with splitting plate in the middle, and a
J-7E style double-delta wing may also be adopted. The aircraft will
be fitted with advanced avionics including HUD, MFD, digital FBW, PD
fire-control radar (perhaps Israeli Elta EL/M 2035, Russian Zhuk
derivative, or even locally designed JL-10A) and is able to carry a
variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons. Also it would use the
same powerplant as Su-27 -- the Lyulka AL-31 turbofan (27,550lb
with afterburning). Some US military analysts believe that J-10
could become a serious challenge to F/A-18E in terms of maneuverability.
The first prototype of J-10 was expected to fly in 1996, but
apparently the schedule has been repeatedly postponed due to certain
technical difficulties, presumably with the FBW system as well as the
engine integration. Moreover there have been countless rumors about its
first flight, the latest being that it flew in March. Nonetheless, this
has inevitably cast some doubt concerning the future of the project.
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J-11 (Su-27SK) Flanker
A row of Su-27s are sitting on the ramp under
the heat of the sun. These are the second batch of 24 Su-27s (18
Su-27SK and 6 Su-27UBK, S: serial, K: commercial) bought in 1996,
following the first batch (20 SK & 6 UBK, $32m each) bought four years
earlier. This heavy air-superiority fighter, combined with up to 10 AA-10
(R-27T/R, IR/SAR homing to 50km), AA-11 (R-73, IR homing to 15km) AAMs
and Sorbtsiya ECM pods, gives PLAAF for the first time a truly offensive
capability both in long-range BVR attack and short-range dog fight.
Currently the first batch is based in Wuhu, Anhui Province, and
were demonstrated extensively duing recent military exercises in the
Taiwan Strait. Unfortunately, 5 Su-27s were seriously damaged
during a typhoon attack last year, -- a shocking and bizarre accident. The
second batch is based in Shui Xi, Guangdong Province. More
significantly, a further $1.2 billion agreement to license-build more
(100-150 under the designation of J-11/project 11, domestic use
only, no exports) in Shengyang was reached in late 1995 and finialized at
the end of 1996. An upgraded Su-27SMK with in-flight refueling
probe and Zhuk-27 radar was promoted to the Chinese, but it appears that
only the basic SK model is included in the production. Nevertheless, this
co-production plan would inevitably cost majority of the limited resource
available to PLAAF and to Chinese aviation industry, thus may bring some
negative impact on other indigenous figher projects, such as J-10.
The latest report suggested that Chinese have started to assemble the kit
supplied by Russia in June and the first two Su-27SKs are expected
to be delivered by the end of this year. The percentage of demostically
made parts used in the assembly will gradually increase and eventually
60-70% of the parts will be manufactured in China (except for the AL-31
engine, which was denied by Russia for a license). A third batch of 40
aircrafts, probably including a combination of Su-27SMKs and
Su-30MKs, was reportedly ordered, but it has not been confirmed.
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FC-1
Revealed as the successor of the canceled Super-7
project, FC-1 (Fighter China-1) is being developed by CAC primarily
for export with the help from Russian Mikoyan OKB. Its main customer is
expected to be Pakistan which also partially funds the project and may
have interest of getting 150. Powered by a Russian RD-93 turbofan (an
upgraded RD-33), it is claimed to 70-80% as capable as F-16. The
LEX-featured wing and lateral air-intakes make it look similar to
Taiwanese IDF. Possible candidates of fire control radar for the export
version include GEC-Marconi Blue Hawk, Thomson-CSF RDY, Phanzotron Komar
and Fiar Grifo S7. A locally designed JL-10A radar by LETRI (with
technical support from Phazotron) may be installed on domestic version to
be in service with PLAAF. Other avionics include a 25° field of view
HUD, two multi-functional displays and INS/GPS. But most of them have not
been finalized. Weapon load includes both short (AIM-9P/PL-9/Magic 2) and
medium-range AAMs (PL-11/Aspide/Sparrow). The first prototype of
FC-1 was set to fly in 1998. But the scheule may have been further
postponed due to the higher standands set by PAF to counter the threat
from India's newly acquired Su-30MKIs. So far PLAAF has not made any
commitment to buy FC-1, but a letter of intent (LOI) was
reportedly signed by China and Pakistan in February to injet some new
momentum to the much delayed project.
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XXJ/J-12
XXJ (J-12) is the
next generation fighter to enter the service around 2015, according to a
report from US Office of Naval Intellegence (ONI). Still the preliminary
concept design at Chengdu Aircraft Co., XXJ has been speculated as
a large twin-engine multi-role fighter with limited stealth
characteristics. Russian assistance is also speculated as well.
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