Monday, September 08, 2008

J-10

Maiden Flight: Sunday, March 22, 1998
IOC: 2004
Total Production: 300

J-10A

Also Known As: F-10 (export name), J-10B (improved version fitted with thrust vectoring AL-31 engine), Vigorous Dragon

Origin:China

Contractor/s: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation

Description: The J-10 is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) and 611 Institute for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The high-performance J-10 aircraft has been designed as an air superiority fighter with air-to-surface capability. The aircraft's development started in the mid-1980s based upon the cancelled Israeli Air Force Lavi lightweight fighter. In the 1990s, the Russians joined the J-10 project providing the AL-31FN as the replacement engine for Chinese incapable WS-10 turbofan. The first J-10 prototype made its maiden flight in March 1998 and the aircraft achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with PLAAF by late 2003/early 2004.

The J-10 aerodynamic configuration is based on a delta-wing with canard foreplanes design with a single ventral air intake. All in, the J-10 is very similar to Eurofighter/Typhoon multi-role aircraft being procured by European countries. The J-10 aircraft is made of composite materials resulting in a high thrust-to-weight ratio with enhanced maneuverability and low drag thanks to its advanced aerodynamics. The flight control system is based on a 4-channel fly-by-wire (FBW) system. An engine digital control system provides for fuel consumption efficiency. The J-10 has been fitted with a glass cockpit and pulse-Doppler radar system capable of tracking 10 targets at ranges of up 100 km while engaging four of them simultaneously.

The J-10 aircraft has 11 external stations for weapons and auxiliary fuel tanks. For air-to-air engagements the aircraft can be equipped with PL-8 (a version of Israel's Python 3) infrared-guided short-range and PL-12 radar active medium-range missiles. Laser guided bombs, free fall bombs and rockets are provided for the air-to-ground attack role. In addition, the J-10 is provided with a single-barrel 23mm internal gun. Future plans call for the installation of the improved Chinese-built WS-10A turbofan in lieu of AL-31FN. The J-10 might be fitted with a detachable air refueling probe to extend its radius of operation or carrying a greater load of weapons. A pilot's helmet-mounted sight system is under study.

The single-seat J-10A, dubbed Vigorous Dragon, is an air superiority fighter with capabilities and performance that resemble closer to those of F-15, F-16, F-18, Mig-29 and Su-27 aircraft. The J-10 has been designed as the replacement for aging J-7 and Q-5 aircraft within the PLAAF with an estimated initial requirement for 300 aircraft. The F-10 designation refers to a export version. The J-10B is an improved version highlighting enhanced maneuverability and equipped with AL-31FN-M1 engine featuring thrust vectoring control. The J-10B maiden flight is expected in 2007. Currently, CAC's assembly line is delivering 2 to 3 J-10 aircraft per month a second assembly may double that figure with approximately 60 J-10s delivered per year at full rate production.

Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 1

Guns: Main Gun Caliber 23 mm

Dimensions: Length 15.5 m, Wing Area 39 square meter, Wingspan 9.7 m

Weights: Fuel Load 4,500 kg (9,921 lb), Max Weight 18,000 kg (39,683 lb), Min Weight 8,300 kg (18,298 lb), Operational Weight 13,200 kg (29,101 lb)

Engine/s Performance: Thrust 27,557 lb (12,500 kg) with afterburning

Performance: Radius of Operation 1,100 km (594 nm), Take Off Run Distance 500 m (1,640 ft), Top Speed Mach 2.20 (2,629 kph), Top Speed at Sea Level Mach 1.20 (1,434 kph)

G Loads: Max Maneuvering Load Factor 9 g, Min Maneuvering Load Factor -3 g

Other: External Stations 11, Number of Engines 1

Family Members:
J-10S Related Equipment
Air-to-Air Missiles: PL-12, PL-8

Power plant: AL-31FN

Operators

China

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Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2008

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