JF-17 Block III: How does this fighter jet keep Pakistan in Air Race? | Military Equipment

Key Points: JF-17 Block III Technical Specifications, Capabilities of JF-17 Block III, Military Equipment

                         

JF-17 Thunder, a Pakistani fighter jet plane, is no more a new name in the category of modern world fighter jets. JF-17 gained popularity after it outclassed Indian Air Force in a deadly dogfight on 27^th of February 2019 where at least one of Indian MIG-21s was shot down by this fighter jet and Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan (Lalwani and Tallo, 2019).  

JF-17 flew for the first time in 2007 during a Pakistan day parade. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) had manufactured 70 Block 1 and 33 Block II JF-17s by 2016. After that PAC went for technologically advanced and sophisticated block III version. The first prototype of block III made its maiden flight recently in December 2019. The latest variant of JF-17 i.e. Block III is a lightweight fighter jet having a single engine that can manage and perform complex air manoeuvres. Its abilities are the same as the most advanced fighter jets in the world. It can intercept planes, strike air-to-air, and air-to-ground.

The variant Block III contains a new AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar which has a higher resolution. This radar is more discrete and jam-resistant than its preceding class. PAC has also been evaluating KLJ-7A radar for Block-III variant. KLJ-7A has a better detection range of 124 miles and a broader angle search field. So, Radars of JF-17 Block III have a combat range of over 170 kilometres that is comparable to the level of radars used in the most advanced F-35 fighter jets (Guowei, 2016). These technologies enable the Block III variant to track 15 targets while engaging 4 targets simultaneously (Khan, 2016).

Interestingly, JF-17 can have various ammunition including air-to-air (AAMs especially PL-5EII) missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and twin-barrel autocannon (23mm) etc. The most noticeable change in JF-17 block III is the introduction of holographic head-up display of wider angle that is similar to fifth-generation aircraft J-20 used by China. Block III variant has also introduced a system of helmet-mounted display that can allow more flexibility in targeting of short-range ammunition during close dogfights.

IIR (Imaging Infrared) based missile approach system of warning is another interesting addition to the new variant. The sensors of this system are situated behind the air intakes as well as on vertical tail fin’s top just like Chinese j-10C fighter. In addition, jet intakes are widened for improving the air-flow. Russian engine RD-93 may be replaced by Chinese WS-13 turbofan. The additional thrust of this variant, along with lightweight composite material has improved the speed and range of the plane. These additions will allow the JF-17 to reach a speed of 2.0 Mach and even more in future, that may enable JF-17 III to compete with the most advanced fighter planes in the world (Nikolov, 2020).

Read also: Chinese J-20 vs American F-35.

References

Guowei, Z. (2016). F-35 Lu launches new airborne radar. [online] 中時電子報. Available at: https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20161102000736-260301?chdtv [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].

Khan, B. (2016). KLJ-7A: Proposed AESA radar for the JF-17 Block-III. [online] Quwa. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20170507114147/http://quwa.org/2016/10/31/klj-7a-proposed-aesa-radar-jf-17-block-iii/ [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].

Lalwani, S. and Tallo, E. (2019). Did India shoot down a Pakistani F-16 in February? This just became a big deal. [online] The Washington Post. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/17/did-india-shoot-down-pakistani-f-back-february-this-just-became-big-deal/ [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].

Nikolov, B. (2020). JF-17 Block 3 fighter jet is important for Pakistan and can change the regional power (video). [online] Bulgarian Military Industry Review. Available at: https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2020/01/02/jf-17-block-3-fighter-jet-is-important-for-pakistan-and-can-change-the-regional-power-video/ [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].