|
NAME:
Official Designation: Jianji-10 or Jian-10 (J-10)
Occidental Name: F-10
MANUFACTURER:
Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (MILLRACE)
TYPE:
Single-engine, single-seater multirole fighter capable for
interception, air superiority, and ground attack missions.
|
The Jianjiji-10 Fighter Aircraft 10 (J-10)
project is believed to have begun in the mid-1980s to develop an
indigenous Chinese fighter equivalent to the Mirage 2000
operated by Taiwan. The aircraft is reportedly similar to the
American F-16, an example perhaps having been supplied by
Pakistan for study, and the Lavi, a cancelled Israeli fighter
based on the F-16. Although Israel has denied transfering any
unauthorized technology, it is known that Israel has supplied
some assistance in the development of the J-10.
The resulting design, virtually
identical to the Lavi externally, features a delta or double-delta
wing with canards mounted just aft of the cockpit. The J-10 is
believed to be powered by a single Russian AL-31F turbofan and
most avionics (including the radar) are also of Russian origin.
Early artists impressions have indicated an F-16 style engine
inlet, but more recent photots suggest that the aircraft may be
equipped with a rectangular inlet reminiscent of the Eurofighter
Typhoon. The design may have also gone through a major revision
recently to include more stealth features. |
RADAR:
Several options are available for the J-10 fighter. These include
the Russian
Phazotron Zhuk-10PD, a version of the system in later Su-27s, with
160 km search range and
ability to track up to six targets. Israel has offered its Elta
EL/M-2035 radar for competition. In
addition, China has also developed its own design JL-10A, which
might be assisted by Russian
technology.
ENGINE:
The
single-seat, single-engine J-10 is similar in size to the Lockheed
Martin
F-16C/D. The initial batch J-10s are going to be powered by 27,500
lb-thrust (120 kN)
Russian Lyulka Saturn AL-31F turbofan, the same power plant also
being used by Chinese air
force Sukhoi Su-27s and Su-30s. Some report indicated that 100
AL-31F engines with features
specially designed for the J-10 have already been delivered to China
in early 2001.
China is also developing its own WS-10 turbofan power plant, and it
could be fitted on the later
versions of the J-10. According to the U.S. intelligence, the J-10
might be slightly more
manoeuvrable than the F-18E/F, which is slated to become the U.S.
Navy's next principal
combat aircraft.
WEAPONS:
The fixed weapon on the J-10 is a 23mm internal
cannon. The aircraft also has 11 stores stations - six under the
wing and five under the fuselage. The inner wing and centre fuselage
stations are plumped to carry external fuel tanks. Fixed weapon is a
23-mm inner cannon hidden inside fuselage.
In addition to the PL-8
short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile reportedly derived
from Israeli Rafael Python-3 technology, the J-10 could also carry
Russian Vympel R-73 (AA-11) short-range and
R-77 (AA-12) medium-range missiles equipped by Chinese
Flankers. It may also be fitted with indigenously developed
PL-11 or PL-12 medium-range AAM for BVR
combat.
For ground attack missions, the J-10 will carry
laser-guided bombs, YJ-8K anti-ship missile, as
well as various unguided bombs and rockets. Some missiles currently
under development such as the YJ-9 ramjet-powered anti-radiation
missile may also be carried by the J-10
Technical Specifications
|
Crew:
1 (basic variant); 2 (fighter-trainer
variant) |
|
Length: 14 ms |
|
Height: 4 ms |
|
Wingspan: 8 ms |
|
Weight: 18,500 kg |
|
Power plant:
A Lyulka
Al-31f Saturn turbojet of 17,857 pounds (kN 79.43) and 27,557
pounds (kN 122.58) in
afterburning |
|
Speed: 1.2
Mach (sea level) or Mach 2.0 (in altitude) |
|
Range:
3.200 Km |
|
Ceiling: 18.000 ms |
|
Empty Weight: 9750 kg |
|
Max.Weight: 18500 kg |
|
Weapons:
One 23mm
internal cannon. The aircraft also has 11 stores stations -
six under the wing and five under the fuselage up 4.500 Kg.
Air-to-Air missiles. Ground
attack weapons Laser-guided bomb, anti-ship missile. |
|
