JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

[Blitzo]

Or simply that it will make a great export potential, now with newer versions of the F-16 (like Block 60) taking up orders.

A stealthy version, coupled with its relatively low price, will have greater force when trying to push into international markets.

I don't think JF-17 can compete with the F-16C, never mind the block 60. The whole point of the JF-17 was to be cheap with fairly good performance, something that's good for developing countries who can customize it for their needs. I'm not sure if countries in Africa or the Mid East will want to pay extra for a bit of otherwise limited stealth shaping.

We don't know the extent of this so called optimization, but it will only be for the forward fuselage so it sounds like it will be good mostly just for BVR combat where a smaller front RCS is obviously more helpful. We don't know whether the avionics will be upgraded at all either, but it can be almost certain that any upgraded JF-17 will not come near the F-16's weight class. Maybe Gripen at best, along with fighters like LCA and F/A-50.

Besides, any countries looking to buy the F-16E/F will be politically aligned with the US anyway so JF-17 won't have much of a chance.

 

[Curious George]

I'm not sure if countries in Africa or the Mid East will want to pay extra for a bit of otherwise limited stealth shaping.

African or Middle Eastern countries might not have a choice on the matter if China decides to mass produce this stealthier version of the JF-17 for their own use and/or Pakistan decides to upgrade their lines to produce the same stealthier aircraft. In other words how can the Africans etc get their hands on brand new non-stealth optimised JF-17s if all future production is going to be the stealthier version. The only way they might get the mark1 version might be through the 2nd hand market if Pakistan decides to sell their older aircrafts.

 

[Blitzo]

African or Middle Eastern countries might not have a choice on the matter if China decides to mass produce this stealthier version of the JF-17 for their own use and/or Pakistan decides to upgrade their lines to produce the same stealthier aircraft. In other words how can the Africans etc get their hands on brand new non-stealth optimised JF-17s if all future production is going to be the stealthier version. The only way they might get the mark1 version might be through the 2nd hand market if Pakistan decides to sell their older aircrafts.

Yes but there are other aircraft apart from the JF-17 they could choose, if the stealthy-ized version becomes too expensive for them.

 

[Curious George]

Yes but there are other aircraft apart from the JF-17 they could choose, if the stealthy-ized version becomes too expensive for them.

Price is really the unkown factor because if China does decide to mass produce this alleged stealthier JF-17 then it might eventually end up costing the same as or even cheaper than the current model of JF-17 due to economies of scale. Also the more aircraft produced the more that might end up in the 2nd hand market, which would also bring the price down.

 

[Deino]

From Huitong ....

 

[SinoSoldier]

I don't think JF-17 can compete with the F-16C, never mind the block 60. The whole point of the JF-17 was to be cheap with fairly good performance, something that's good for developing countries who can customize it for their needs. I'm not sure if countries in Africa or the Mid East will want to pay extra for a bit of otherwise limited stealth shaping.

We don't know the extent of this so called optimization, but it will only be for the forward fuselage so it sounds like it will be good mostly just for BVR combat where a smaller front RCS is obviously more helpful. We don't know whether the avionics will be upgraded at all either, but it can be almost certain that any upgraded JF-17 will not come near the F-16's weight class. Maybe Gripen at best, along with fighters like LCA and F/A-50.

Besides, any countries looking to buy the F-16E/F will be politically aligned with the US anyway so JF-17 won't have much of a chance.

You got my statement wrong. I said that the upgraded JF-17 variant would be like the "Block 60" of the JF-17 family.

It's cheap yet it is an advanced light fighter that will perfectly fit the roles of air forces in the Middle East and Asia.

The upgraded JF-17 will most likely be an export product, an alternative to the J-10B.

All JF-17s are not suited for ground attacks. Their direction to emphasize its air-to-air capability is correct.

 

[rhino123]

You got my statement wrong. I said that the upgraded JF-17 variant would be like the "Block 60" of the JF-17 family.

It's cheap yet it is an advanced light fighter that will perfectly fit the roles of air forces in the Middle East and Asia.

The upgraded JF-17 will most likely be an export product, an alternative to the J-10B.

All JF-17s are not suited for ground attacks. Their direction to emphasize its air-to-air capability is correct.

I don't think that if the JF-17's upgrades with stealthy features would be cheap. To build the aircraft is one thing... but to maintain it is another story. A stealthy JF-17's cost will skyrocket.

 

[challenge]

since PLAAF do not use FC-1,likely the SD-10 armed FC-1 likely being developed for PAF.or testing radar/missile .possible AESA.

 

[s7s7s7]

I'm quite curious about JF-17's status in PAF. PAF inducted the first squadron at 2008. JF-17s substituted aged Q-5 attack fighters. And its second squadron is still in a mist. With such production volume, JF-17's price is ridiculously high.
Has PAF lost interesing at JF-17? Q-5's mission is CAS. Does that mean PAF intend to use JF-17 for CAS/BAI? But JF-17's payload is very limited(3.8 tons max).
PAF also bought a large number of used Mirage III. It's a much cheaper and effective choice for CAS/BAI.
PAF chooses new F-16s as mainstay air dominance fighter. Where's JF-17's place?
Maybe PAF regret why they had not emphasis the high altitude and supersonic performance.

 

[Lion]

I'm quite curious about JF-17's status in PAF. PAF inducted the first squadron at 2008. JF-17s substituted aged Q-5 attack fighters. And its second squadron is still in a mist. With such production volume, JF-17's price is ridiculously high.
Has PAF lost interesing at JF-17? Q-5's mission is CAS. Does that mean PAF intend to use JF-17 for CAS/BAI? But JF-17's payload is very limited(3.8 tons max).
PAF also bought a large number of used Mirage III. It's a much cheaper and effective choice for CAS/BAI.
PAF chooses new F-16s as mainstay air dominance fighter. Where's JF-17's place?
Maybe PAF regret why they had not emphasis the high altitude and supersonic performance.

Bro, check yr info and statement again. Yr reasoning is full of contradiction.