FC-1
Maiden Flight: August 2003
IOC: 2006
Total Production: 400
Development Cost: USD$150 million
Unitary Cost: USD$15.0 million
Also Known As
J-9 (PLAAF proposed designation)
JF-17 Thunder (Pakistani Air Force name)
Xiao Long (Chinese PLA nick)
Origin
China (50%)
Pakistan (50%)
Contractor/s
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (50%)
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) (50%)
Air-to-Air Missiles:
PL-12
PL-8
Power plant:
RD-93
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Description:
The FC-1 (Fighter China 1) is a fighter aircraft based upon the Super-7 Chao Qi program developed in cooperation between China and Pakistan (50/50) by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in the late 1990s. Russian MIG corporation provided assistance to Chengdu in the FC-1 development as well as the aircraft's RD-93 engine. Basically, the FC-1 is a single-seat, single-engine, light fighter aircraft optimized for air-to-air role with secondary air-to-ground/sea capability. The joint program started in 1999 with the first FC-1 prototype making its maiden flight in August 2003. The first production aircraft rolled off the factory in 2005 with the FC-1/JF-17 achieving initial operational capability in 2006.
The FC-1/JF-17 double-delta wing advanced aerodynamic configuration includes canard foreplanes for better takeoff and landing performance. It is powered by one Klimov RD-93, a derivative of RD-33, turbofan engine. Chinese aircraft may incorporate the WS-13 engine which is a license-built RD-93 version. The FC-1 aircraft has been optimized for air-to-air engagements at low and mid-altitude utilizing an advanced fire control radar and Chinese medium range active seeker air-to-air missile known as PL-12/SD-10. The FC-1 is also capable of delivering laser-guided bombs as well as precision-guided air-to-surface missiles carried on seven external stations.
The JF-17/FC-1 aircraft accepts auxiliary tanks and the following armaments: PL-7, PL-10, R550 Magic-2, A-Darter, PL-5C, AIM-9L/P, Mica and Aspide air-to-air missiles; AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile; Mk.82 Mk.84 GBU-10, GBU-12 bombs; Durandel and Rockeye munitions dispensers as well as Chinese equivalent air-to-ground weapons and unguided rockets. In addition, the aircraft mounts a GSh-23-2 double barrel 23mm internal gun.
With a $10 to $15 million price tag, the FC-1/JF-17 is being offered by CATIC to third world countries' air forces as the replacement for Mig-21, Mirage III and F-5 aircrafts. The original plans call for Pakistani Air Force (PAF) to receive 150 JF-17 (Joint Fighter) aircraft replacing F-7s (Chinese-built Mig-21) and Mirage IIIs. China would receive 250 FC-1s. The PAF JF-17 aircraft will be equipped with western avionics and weaponry as well as Italian Grifo S7 radar. The J-9 designation might be assigned by the PLAAF to the FC-1 Xiao Long (Brave Dragon) fighter aircraft.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 1
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 23 mm
Dimensions: Height 4.8 m, Length 15.0 m, Wingspan 9.5 m
Weights: Fuel Load 5,130 lb (2,327 kg) internal, Max Weight 12,474 kg (27,500 lb), Min Weight 6,411 kg (14,134 lb), Operational Weight 9,072 kg (20,000 lb), Payload 3,629 kg (8,000 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 18,969 lb (8,604 kg) with afterburning
Performance: Ceiling 15,240 m (50,000 ft), Landing Run Distance 700 m (2,297 ft), Max Range 2,037 km (1,100 nm), Radius of Operation 1,352 km (730 nm), Service Life 25 yr, Take Off Run Distance 400 m (1,312 ft), Top Speed Mach 1.60 (1,912 kph)
G Loads: Max Maneuvering Load Factor 9 g
Other: External Stations 7, Number of Engines 1, Service Life (Flight Hours) 4,000
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China / 250 
Pakistan / 150 