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Chengdu (AVIC) J-10 (Vigorous Dragon)

History

The Chengdu Jian J-10 (also known as "J-10" and "Annihilator", but known as "Jinlong" in the West) was originally an air superiority fighter designed for China, but has since been redesigned as an all-weather, Multi-role day and night fighter, similar to the light General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the similar Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum. The J-10 was developed from the now-suspended attempt at the J-9 and completed its maiden flight on 22/23. In March 1998, it was introduced into the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2005. Production started in 2003 and is in progress at the time of writing (2012).

The only other known operator of the system is the Chinese Air Force, although Pakistan has been interested in procuring the type in squadron forces.

The J-10 is considered an advanced Israeli IAI-Lavi fighter with a Russian-inspired turbofan engine - hence the direct (and indirect) relevance of Israeli and Russian involvement in the J-10 program in many publications. Unlike the Lavi, however, the J-10 does not use wingtip pylons to launch air-to-air missiles.

Development

An official call from above came in the form of Project 8610 a call for Chinas homegrown air superiority fighters to deploy similar fourth-generation systems in Russia and West Strike, years before the actual development of the aircraft began. The J-10 was scheduled to take off in 1986 under the guise of the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute.

While the J-10 was indeed developed as the air superiority fighter it needed, the end of the Cold War ensured that it was redesigned in the guise of a multirole aircraft - capable of engaging air-to-air targets as well as land-based Goals don't take a huge toll on overall performance.

The Israeli Lavi was developed in the 1980s as a multirole fighter for the Israeli Air Force. Although the program was eventually terminated, the built prototype used it as a technology demonstrator for various other flight programs to test avionics and applicable flight systems.

It is believed that Israel's involvement in the Chinese project culminated in a similar-looking multipurpose airframe for the J-10.

Air-to-surface weapons are provided by PJ-9 and YJ-9K missiles. Conventional munitions include general-purpose air-to-surface missile pods (90mm caliber), laser-guided smart bombs (such as the LT-2), glide bombs (LS-6, a satellite-guided munition), and various conventional drop bombs.

Dimensions (250kg to 500kg).

In addition to the weapons, the J-10 can be equipped with up to 3 externally ejectable fuel tanks for longer range. One such unit is carried along the fuselage centerline (about 450 gallons), while the other two can be attached to exposed underwing hardpoints (212 gallons each).

External Help

In addition to installing destructive weapons at its 11 hardpoints, the J-10 can deploy multiple avionics pods to assist in any given mission. These include the FILAT (Forward-Looking Infrared Laser Attack Targeting) pod, the Blue Sky Navigation/Attack Pod, the BM/KG300G Jamming Pod, the KZ900 Electronic Reconnaissance Pod, and the Infrared Search and Macrolight Tracking Pod. The BM/KG300G is of indigenous origin and is primarily intended for use against all types of airborne and ground-based pulsed Doppler radar systems. A relatively new member of the Chinese military (late 1990s), the KZ900 is a fully automatic reconnaissance pod designed to collect radar signals and provide real-time combat orders. China received such a system over Saddam Hussein after it claimed it shot down an Allied plane in the Gulf War, and the Blue Sky is believed to be based on a Western design.

FILAT is considered a Chinese version of the Western AN/AAQ-14 targeting pod.

Tracking Eye Wonders

The J-10 uses a multi-target tracking and engagement kit. The fire control system is an indigenous design with a radar system capable of tracking up to 10 targets simultaneously, capable of engaging multiple targets depending on the missile seeker type (two targets when using semi-active radar guidance, four when using active radar guidance target radar-guided airborne). air missiles).

Its complexity and technical characteristics are considered comparable to fourth-generation Western fighters.

J-10s Over Pakistan

The Pakistan Air Force has designated its J-10 fighter jets as FC-20 "Pioneers". It is understood that at least 36 FC-20s were purchased as of 2006 and deliveries began in 2009.

Pakistan has signaled its intention to buy more FC-20s in the near future, no doubt raising tensions with neighboring India, but in the meantime, it's time to modernize its air force. The FC-20 will be deployed alongside the China-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder development program already in service with the Pakistan Air Force (2012).

Pakistan could procure up to 150 FC-20 fighter jets.

Hands in the Cookie Jar

Both Israel and Russia are believed to have played a role in the development of the J-10, which China has repeatedly denied, claiming it was a purely indigenous fighter design. However, multiple sources claim this is not the case, directly linking the J-10 to the cancelled Israeli IAI Lavi, with Russian assistance in a "scientific" manner.

Since the J-10 was originally fitted with a Russian AL-31 engine, Russian approval was required before the J-10 could actually be sold to foreign markets. Despite the denials, these claims are likely to be true given the arms embargoes imposed on China by the United States and the European Union in the 1990s. money speaks

Known Variants

The J-10 has been developed into a handful of variants. The J-10A remains the principle single-seat multirole aircraft platform and is marketed under the designation of F-10A on the export stage. The J-10 was developed into several variants.

The J-10A remains the primary platform for the single-seat multi-role aircraft, marketed as the F-10A at the export stage. The J-10S is a two-seat version suitable for training aspiring J-10 pilots, but retains the full ground attack capabilities of the basic J-10A multirole fighter.

The J-10B is considered an improved version of the base J-10, with a significantly redesigned air intake, improved pelvic fins and vertical stabilizers, and integrated infrared search and track sensors. A new nose assembly also reportedly houses an all-new radar kit.

Conclusion

While the J-10 is more or less just beginning to gain approval from the Chinese Air Force (260 have been delivered), the system is expected to remain in service for some time to go through modernization programs and improvements to the base system. On paper at least, she's still a deadly Gen 4 adversary, sure to be called up in times of war.

Their numbers will only increase over time and become a large part of the Chinese Air Force in the near future.