SourceChina Military Online 2016-09-18
BEIJING, Sept. 18 (ChinaMil) — China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) held a meeting on September 15 to introduce FC-1 Xiaolong during the 9th Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2016 Exhibition in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, which last from September 14 to 18.
The China-Pakistan jointly developed and produced FC-1 Xiaolong (also known as JF-17 Thunder in Pakistan) is a third-generation fighter jet with a light weight, single engine and single seat, and the multipurpose fighter is capable to serve in all-weather missions. It is designed mainly to perform air-to-air combat missions. In addition, it also possesses strong capabilities of fulfilling air-to-ground combat tasks.
The project to develop the Xiaolong fighter began in 1998 when the governments of China and Pakistan signed a principle agreement for joint development and production of the fighter. The maiden flight of its No. 01 prototype fighter was successfully conducted on August 25, 2003. The first batch of the fighters were delivered to the Pakistani Air Force in March 2007.
The Xiaolong fighter has the prominent low-and-middle-altitude maneuvering combat capability at high subsonic speed, and a relatively good interception and supersonic operation ability. It possesses longer flight range, combat radius and flight time. It also has the better short-distance take-off and landing, and higher weapon-loading characteristics, according to the CATIC.
The fighter with an advanced aerodynamic shape is equipped with a large thrust and low oil consumption turbofan engine, an advanced digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system, and highly comprehensive aviation electronic and weaponry systems. It possesses the multiple advanced functions including precise navigation, battlefield situation sensing, target detection and identification, combat and attack, and electronic warfare.
It has a total of seven hardpoints with a total external load-carrying capacity of 4,600 kilograms, which can carry such advanced weapons as over-the-horizon air-to-air missiles, infrared short-range dogfight missiles and multiple kinds of advanced precision-guided air-to-ground weapons.
It is able to launch over-the-horizon attack against two targets at the same time and has stronger attacking firepower against air and ground targets. Therefore, it is suitable for performing dual missions of air space control operation and ground target attack.
Although the Xiaolong fighters have been delivered to the Pakistani Air Force in batches, the improvement and upgrading work for the fighter has never stopped.
The fighters with aerial refueling capability have been in service. In the future, the fighters will possess the advanced data link and electronic warfare capabilities, and be equipped with new-type guided weapons.
The development and production of two-seat trainer is now going on according to the plan, and the first flight is scheduled at the end of this year.
The CATIC expressed that participation in AAD 2016 is conducive to further upgrading Xiaolong fighter’s international image and attracting the attention from more potential users. The China-Pakistan joint sales team will make more efforts to jointly explore international market, according to CATIC.
The Xiaolong fighter has participated in many international air shows including China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Dubai Air Show, Paris Air Show and Farnborough International Airshow, winning wide attention and apprise in the aviation sector with its excellent flight performance.
Launched in 2000, the AAD is held once every two years. It is now the largest defense industry exhibition in Africa to date. The exhibits at the AAD cover military equipment, police equipment, civil aviation equipment, and equipment for humanitarian rescue and disaster management.