JF-17 Thunder jet fighter was the fruit of Pakistan-China collaboration in the aviation segment. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and China Air Force (CAF) made joint efforts to develop the original JF-17. Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) jointly collaborated on behalf of their respective countries to make the JF-17 fighter plane a reality.
Today, the jet fighter’s dual seat variant, JF-17B, has successfully undertaken its first test flight in China. It is expected to significantly bolster the training capabilities for the JF-17 series of jet fighters. The 2-seater version is also expected to attract more attention internationally.
Both air forces have been working on JF-17B’s prototype since April 2016. PAF had initially planned to induct the new JF-17B into its fleet within one year.
However, due to delays in production, the aircraft’s testing phase has only just begun. According to aviation journalist, Alan Warnes, three JF-17B are already under production. Two of these are expected to join PAF soon.
The new JF-17B comes with three axis fly-by-wire flight control system and active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar
Besides the additional seat, the upgraded JF-17B comes with major design changes like a dorsal spine. Experts suggest that the dorsal spine is actually added to accommodate fuel since the second seat is taking additional space in the interior.
JF-17B also received a modified vertical stabilizer. According to Warnes, JF-17B’s swept tail houses equipment for a new three axis fly-by-wire flight control system. The nose also gets a size increase to accommodate an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar which will be core subsystem for the upcoming JF-17 Block-III – the biggest update to the JF-17 since its launch.
Built for Combat and Training
The new JF-17B variant has been developed to meet international demands of prospective buyers who called for in-flight evaluation and conversion training. At the moment, PAF uses simulators for conversion training.
Previously, the PAF leadership did hint that a dual seater Thunder could be launched as a lead-in-fighter-trainer (LIFT) platform within its current fleet.
To top it all off, JF-17B comes with commercially available Electronic Warfare (EW) jamming pods and advanced targeting pods. These could potentially be used for strikes or stand-off EW platform.
Back in February, PAF inducted the fifth JF-17 Block-II variant into its fleet. It was capable of inflight refuelling. Last month, it was announced that PAF has successfully integrated a stand-off weapon system into the JF-17.
Pakistan Air Force currently has over 70 JF-17 jet fighters including Block-I and Block-II variants. Our air force is expected to order 50 Block-III units later this year. Amongst lined up buyers for the JF-17, Myanmar and Nigeria have already secured orders from Pakistan and China.
Via: Pakistan Defence CMD, Quwa
WOW, looks like a dragon. Beautiful aircraft, plus it fills all the requirements of PAF
have you ever seen a Dragon? Idiot!
WOw, it looks like a jealous Indian. Have you ever seen a jealous Indian? Check the mirror.
have you seen it, you might have
it’s in you pichwara, jealous idiot XD
and it’s Chinese name is “Xiaolong” which actually means “Fierce Dragon”.
magar tum indians ko washroom nahi miltay tumhay kia pata, idiot lover XD
Abbo ko bhe esy bolty ho ap :p
Good : True Friendship (PAK-CHINA)
All Indian’s & Indian’s Army feels jealousy :p
There are no friendships in geopolitics….just allies and adversaries
Yes and its like “Enemy of the Enemy is Friend “
Correction: Enemy of my enemy is my friend! Where the heck are you guys coming from.
Idiot Hater must be sitting in his mom’s basement with no job and no washroom. he just come here to troll and fails miserably, just like in his real life
Aside a standard proverb, can you prove it wrong ?
and btw , i can tell you where we came from, but i bet it will hurt you a bit :p
china is worst enemy of islam , just wait and let them get hold of you and you will see
I agree in terms of religion but China has no friends today, especially in the region. They can’t afford to lose one route and friend to the warm waters.
you know that China has a large Muslim population
They are not allowed to fast keep beard or even name their kids muhammad
you know fast and beard one is not true, and kid names varies from province to province.
i am talking about Xinjiang and it is true i am not talking out of my a$$ https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8ea726a373c28b27b8a45aada908fcbcd9031a67fc873c751ed641e91bfbd8e1.png
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eac5bed7f2d373921af57e9bfb91bdd54e030461df655cb24c1d46734ce99ae7.png
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fe7b35c2f527b211c90262cc93890b307bd24bddbe7ebd25b28bc9ffe8da900a.png
yup that’s what i am saying actually if your have read my reply clearly, still don’t suffice your “worst enemy” statement though.
it’s only province with muslim majority and most muslims of china live there even indua and israel didn’t put such bans on muslims are you really that dumb or you just acting ?
no beef in india bro, you can’t legally visit israel bro. Where are you? and no i’ll not call someone dumb. please have a better behavior before trying to justify your statement. Muslims don’t talk like that
There are no permanent Friends or Enemies but permanent interests in international relations.
Angrezi toh theek kr pehlay apni!
Q jullab lag rahe hain tum logo ko? Apna wo khatara bnao jo pichlay 20 saal se ban nhi pa raha. Yahan jealousy nikalna zaruri hai?
I must say, it is a well written article.
Nice……….a well Informative Article
it is being tested in China…so how Pakistan is testing ?
If its built in China, Pakistan can claim it as its own.
Looks like a Multi Thunder , Now indian air force would you see this aircraft before.Now Fight with us!!!!! We are Pakistan Air Force……
JF-17 Thunder cannot fight against India. They have much superior aircraft.
Just their Sukhoi aircraft can beat whole of PAF.
Hahaha…