Chengdu J-10
The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the People's Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). 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 late 1960s, to counter old third generation fighters then being introduced by the USSR (namely, the MiG-23 and Su-15). Initially designed as a specialized counter-air fighter, it was later re-made into a multirole aircraft capable of both anti-air combat and ground attack missions.
The J-10 is suspected to have been heavily influenced by the Israeli Lavi fighter program (which was later cancelled in 1987). While denied by the Israeli government, the similarities between the now-defunct Lavi, and the J-10 indicate that a degree of technology transfer took place between the two programs during the development process.
The first flight of the J-10 took place in 1996 although there were rumors of earlier test flights caused when a supposed picture surfaced onto the internet. A fatal accident occurred in 1997 as the result of the J-10’s fly-by-wire system delayed the program slightly. This caused much of the J-10 design and testing to be done under extreme secrecy and it was not under several years later until information was revealed. A redesigned prototype flew in 1998, resuming flight testing of the aircraft. Service entry into the PLAAF is likely to be in the 2008-2010 timeframe.
Design (Refers to baseline variant)
The J-10 is a single-seat, delta winged tail-less aircraft powered by a single, Russian-designed AL-31FN turbojet (maximum static power output of 10,500 kgf (103 kN, 23,600 lbf)). As well, the airframe possesses a large vertical tailfin and a pair of canards placed near the cockpit. The air intake is rectangular in shape, and is located beneath the fuselage. Construction likely incorporates little use of composite materials, as well as mostly conventional metals. Performance is generally speculated to be within the class of a late-model F-4 Phantom, although maneuverability is thought to be inferior (possibly within the range of some late third generation European fighters). A bubble canopy provides 360 degrees of visual coverage for the pilot.
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 one liquid crystal Multi-Functional Displays within the cockpit. Western-style HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls are unlikely to be incorporated in the J-10's design.
The radar type equipping the J-10 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 very limited Electronic countermeasures (ECM) package is likely to be present, including active jammers.
note: as of 2005, the JL-10A fire control radar has been incorporated into the JH-7A (JH-7, the evaluation batch, uses Type 232H FCR). Some evidence suggests that a derivative of the Type 1421 on later J-8 models has been selected. This could be the KLJ-3 FCR.
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 "stealthy" twin-engined model.
External Loads And Armament
The wings provide 5 hardpoints for the attachment of up to 2,200 kg (4,800 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) and un-guided bombs.
Estimated Specifications
- Length
- 14.57 m /47 ft 10 in
- Wingspan
- 8.78 m / 28 ft 10 in
- Empty Weight
- 11,750 kg / 25,500 lb
- Maximum External Load
- 2,200 kg / 4,800 lb
- Maximum Speed
- Mach 1.25 (optimum altitude) / Mach 0.9 (sea level)
- Maximum g-limit
- +9 g (88 m/s2)
- Combat Radius
- Greater than 463 km / 287 miles / 250 n miles
- Maximum Range
- 1,850 km / 1,150 miles / 1,000 n miles
Resources
- Chinese Defence Today
- GlobalSecurity.org
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2002-2003
- Venik's Aviation Resource