JF 17 Dual Seat variant.
your opinion on design ?
It's great to see JF-17B finally come out. This would certainly contribute toward future aircraft sales. Particularly when many countries have taken a deep interest in JF-17 Thunders.
In so far as the two-seater version's design is concerned. I believe it is quite evident that Pakistan Air Force was intent on keeping the costs of aircraft production, down to a minimum. We live in the "real world", and the decision of Pakistan Air Force, vis-a-vis the design of JF-17B, pretty much sums up PAF's mind-set. And for those of us who may not be aware of what that is. It is Pakistan Air Force's ethos of conserving it's resources in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Pakistan is not a country like United States of America, the Russian Federation, People's Replublic of China or any other rich nation. Pakistan has limited resources, a weak economy (resurging slowly) and finite defense budget. Keeping that in mind, it is fair to assess that although Pakistan Air Force would have ideally liked to have enlarged JF-17 Thunder's air frame by say 20%. Such an expansion would have allowed a more streamlined air frame for the the two-seater version. Greater space between the cockpit and aft air frame would have allowed for a more pronounced design which would have seen possibly a greater degree of Electronic Warfare capabilities. As well as greater range for the aircraft.
It can be safe to say, that both CAC & PAC envisage the current design (size) to ideally suit the niche market they seek to target. Let's not forget that this venture (Thunder Program) is the first of its kind by Pakistan. It's success is pivotal to PAC's future endeavors. Not forgeting the invaluable primary support that CAC has provided in being the main party in designing, developing and manufacturing this aircraft. And with time, we shall see JF-17 evolve into a potent and formidable combat aircraft that would make its mark in history.
In the future, it is a likely possibility that CAC/PAC will expand the air-frame of the JF-17 Thunders. Probably in Block-lll or Block-IV versions. It's not like this hasn't been done before in a combat aircraft. The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets (off the F/A-18 Hornets) are one example. The Mitsubishi F-2s (off F-16 Falcons) are another example. In both cases, the surface area of both the aircraft's air frames were expanded without bringing about any drastic changes to the over all design of the specified aircraft. So we shall have to wait and see what the changes might be brought about in the design of JF-17 Thunders.