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The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the People's Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Designed to be equally useful in both the fighter and light bomber roles, the J-10 is optimized for all-weather day/night missions.

History

The program was conceived in the early 1980s, to counter new fourth generation fighters then being introduced by the USSR (namely, the MiG-29 and Su-27). Initially designed as a specialized counter-air fighter, it was later remade into a multirole aircraft capable of both anti-air combat and ground attack missions. It has been argued that the J-10 is based on the now cancelled Israeli Lavi*.

Having been designed under much secrecy, many details of the J-10 remain unknown and are subject to much speculation. The first flight of the J-10 took place sometime in 1996, but the program suffered a major delay due to a fatal accident which occurred in 1997. This incident was thought to be the result of errors in the J-10’s fly-by-wire system. A redesigned prototype flew in 1998, resuming flight testing of the aircraft. Service entry into the PLAAF occurred in late 2005.

It was reported by Jane's Defence Weekly on 9 January, 2006, that a more advanced version of the J-10 is planned, "referred to as the Super-10, with a more powerful engine, thrust-vector control, stronger airframe and passive phased-array radar *."

So far the J-10 has been offered only to Pakistan for export as the F-10. The President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, was shown the secret J-10 & JF-17 production facility in late February 2006. He also sat in the cockpit of both aircraft. On his way back he told the press that he had visited the J-10 production facility and that the Chinese had offered to sell the aircraft to Pakistan. He later said that Pakistan and its air force will certainly consider the offer. On April 12, 2006 the Pakistani cabinet approved the purchase of at least 36 J-10s under the designation "FC-10". Pakistan is the largest importer of Chinese military hardware. Its air force flies over 180 F-7 aircraft made by China. In addition, Pakistan is a 50% partner in the FC-1/JF-17 Thunder and K-8 Karakorum advanced jet trainer projects.

Design

The J-10 is a single-seat, delta winged aircraft powered by a single, Russian-designed AL-31FN turbofan (maximum static power output of 12,500 kgf (123 kN, 27,600 lbf)). The airframe possesses a large vertical tail, as well as canards placed near the cockpit. The air intake is rectangular in shape, and is located beneath the fuselage. Construction likely incorporates much use of composite materials, as well as more conventional metals. Performance is generally speculated to be within the class of a late-model F-16, although maneuverability is thought to be superior (possibly within the range of some early fifth generation Western fighters). A bubble canopy provides 360 degrees of visual coverage for the pilot.

It was reported in November 2005 that a first batch of AL-31FN thrust vectoring engines had already been received from Russia for use in J-10s. A second batch was supposed to arrive later that year, and the rest would arrive by mid-2006. On 9 January, 2006, it was claimed that these new engines were actually termed AL-31FN M1, and would be used in a new advanced version of the J-10 called the "Super-10". Regardless of how they are eventually used, thrust vectoring will boost the J-10's maneuverability.

Avionics

A digital, quadruplex fly-by-wire system aids the pilot in flying the aircraft. Information is provided visually to the pilot, in the form of three liquid crystal Multi-Functional Displays within the cockpit. Western-style HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls are incorporated in the J-10's design.

The radar type equipping the J-111 is not yet known; possible candidates include the Russian RP-35, the Israeli EL/M-2035, the Italian Grifo 2000 and the domestic JL-10A. A comprehensive ECM (Electronic countermeasures) package is likely to be present, including active jammers.

Variants

  • J-10: Single-seat baseline multirole model.
  • J-10B: Double-seated version, for training and possibly ground attack.
  • Other Projected Variants: A possible naval version specialized for aircraft carrier operations and a "stealth" twin-engined model.

External loads and armament

The wings provide 11 hardpoints for the attachment of up to 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) of weaponry, fuel tanks, and ECM equipment. Built-in armament consists of a 23 mm cannon, located within the fuselage. External weaponry may include: short-range infrared air-to-air missiles (Chinese PL-8, or the Russian R-73), medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (Chinese PL-11 and PL-12, or the Russian R-77), laser-guided and un-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles (Chinese YJ-9K), and anti-radiation missiles (YJ-9).

In fiction

  • The J-10 is featured in the PC game Battlefield 2, associated with the Chinese faction.

Estimated specifications

Resources

Related content

Delta-wing aircraft | PRC fighter aircraft 2000-2009

歼-10

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Chengdu J-10".

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