Chengdu J-10
The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the People's Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Designed to be equally useful in both the fighter and light bomber roles, the J-10 is optimized for all-weather day/night missions. It is comparable and, in some aspects, even superior to the American F-16.
History
The program was conceived in the early 1980s, to counter new fourth generation fighters then being introduced by the USSR (namely, the MiG-29 and Su-27). 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. It has been argued that the J-10 is based on the now cancelled Israeli Lavi, which in turn was developed with American assistance. [1]
Having been designed under much secrecy, many details of the J-10 remain unknown and are subject to much speculation. The first flight of the J-10 took place sometime in 1996, but the program suffered a major delay due to a fatal accident which occurred in 1997. This incident was thought to be the result of errors in the J-10’s fly-by-wire system. A redesigned prototype flew in 1998, resuming flight testing of the aircraft. Service entry into the PLAAF occurred in late 2005.
It was reported by Jane's Defence Weekly on 9 January, 2006, that a more advanced version of the J-10 is planned, "referred to as the Super-10, with a more powerful engine, thrust-vector control, stronger airframe and passive phased-array radar." [2]
Design
The J-10 is a single-seat, delta winged aircraft powered by a single, Russian-designed AL-31FN turbofan (maximum static power output of 12,500 kgf (123 kN, 27,600 lbf)). The airframe possesses a large vertical tail, as well as canards placed near the cockpit. The air intake is rectangular in shape, and is located beneath the fuselage. Construction likely incorporates much use of composite materials, as well as more conventional metals. Performance is generally speculated to be within the class of a late-model F-16, although maneuverability is thought to be superior (possibly within the range of some early fifth generation Western fighters). A bubble canopy provides 360 degrees of visual coverage for the pilot.
It was reported in November 2005 that a first batch of AL-31FN thrust vectoring engines had already been received from Russia for use in J-10s. A second batch was supposed to arrive later that year, and the rest would arrive by mid-2006. On 9 January, 2006, it was claimed that these new engines were actually termed AL-31FN M1, and would be used in a new advanced version of the J-10 called the "Super-10". Regardless of how they are eventually used, thrust vectoring will boost the J-10's maneuverability.
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 three liquid crystal Multi-Functional Displays within the cockpit. Western-style HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls are 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 comprehensive 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 "stealth" twin-engined model.
External loads and armament
The wings provide 11 hardpoints for the attachment of up to 4,500 kg (9,900 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), medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (Chinese PL-11 and PL-12, or the Russian R-77), laser-guided and un-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles (Chinese YJ-9K), and anti-radiation missiles (YJ-9).
Video Games
The J-10 was featured in the popular PC game Battlefield 2, associated with the Chinese faction. It is considered by many as the best plane in the game due to its very unrealistic ability to seemingly turn on a dime, although it is true that delta-wing planes do have greater manueverability at high speeds than non-canard aircraft.
In Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour version 5.0 (Zero Hour reborn) the J-10 features alongside the MiG as China's main air superiority fighter.
Estimated specifications
- Length
- 15 m / 50 ft
- Wingspan
- 9 m / 30 ft
- Empty Weight
- 9,750 kg / 21,500 lb
- Maximum External Load
- 6,800 kg / 15,000 lb
- Maximum Speed
- Mach 2+ (optimum altitude) / Mach 1.2 (sea level)
- Maximum g-limit
- +9 g (88 m/s2)
- Combat Radius
- Greater than 550 km / 340 miles / 300 n miles
- Maximum Range
- Greater than 1,850 km / 1,150 miles / 1,000 n miles
Related content
Comparable aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon - Dassault Rafale - F-16 Fighting Falcon - Mitsubishi F-2
Designation sequence: J-4 - J-5 - J-6 - J-7 - J-8 - J-9 - J-10 - J-11 - J-XX
Resources
- Chinese Defence Today
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2002-2003
- Venik's Aviation Resource
- MIW article on the J-10
- Article on the J-10 from Jane's Defence Weekly