JF-17 - Updates, News & Discussion

[Ibbi32]

PAC was being drip fed orders and was not running anywhere near capacity, the Azeri order and further PAF orders allowed production to Finally ramp up

Yeah like i said its entirely possible just that i personally doubt PAF both had foreisight to order further ac at around the same time as azeri order and not afterwards and that funds were available for an increased rate of production. I wouldnt know much about PAC but i just have my doubts that from the last we hear about the program 2 years ago the fleet has doubled. There was the 42nd airframe we also spotted last year and that would also lend credence that this was indeed 50th blk 3 for PAF

 

[RealNapster]

still gotta replace mirages and f-7s, and soon, old block 1's!

OTOH, i first said this 5-6y ago, i see block 3 as another sidestep upgrade like the block 2, nothing groundbreaking. I think the block 4 will be a final iteration and the most capable variant, with more local kit than before. Probably see them replace block 1s and then be used as the basis for block 2 MLU.

Block 4 will only work if it comes with a more capable (higher thrust and power) engine. Maybe from China. Anything on that ?

 

[Ibbi32]

still gotta replace mirages and f-7s, and soon, old block 1's!

OTOH, i first said this 5-6y ago, i see block 3 as another sidestep upgrade like the block 2, nothing groundbreaking. I think the block 4 will be a final iteration and the most capable variant, with more local kit than before. Probably see them replace block 1s and then be used as the basis for block 2 MLU.

Coping for blk 4 to be LO,ws-21 powered jf-17 with irst and strengthened airframe

 

[Ak01]

Block 4 will only work if it comes with a more capable (higher thrust and power) engine. Maybe from China. Anything on that ?

i dont see why it would ONLY work in that case, but i know that a chinese engine was being certified and nearly complete on that front

 

[Toxic]

Yeah like i said its entirely possible just that i personally doubt PAF both had foreisight to order further ac at around the same time as azeri order and not afterwards and that funds were available for an increased rate of production. I wouldnt know much about PAC but i just have my doubts that from the last we hear about the program 2 years ago the fleet has doubled. There was the 42nd airframe we also spotted last year and that would also lend credence that this was indeed 50th blk 3 for PAF

PAF has lots of aircraft to replace still, IMO we will likely see a another squadron sized order after this around the same time (hopefully) block 4 makes its first flight which a PAF official at Ideas 2024 stated was probably going to happen in 2028

 

[Ak01]

Coping for blk 4 to be LO,ws-21 powered jf-17 with irst and strengthened airframe

i think we'll only ever see podded IRST if any.

they require alot of space below the skin,

On the JF-17 this space will be fitted with units for the radar. Though, AvRID could from the outset could look at a more compact radar backend design like NG did with SABR, which i guess in theory frees up enough space for some sort of IRST sensor

 

[RealNapster]

i dont see why it would ONLY work in that case, but i know that a chinese engine was being certified and nearly complete on that front

Because I believe JF-17 have reached a point where any further improvements will requires structural modification and more power/thrust. Which the current engine wont be able to fulfill.

And if you are putting this much work on the airframe and later-on testing and prototyping, it only make sense to upgrade engine as well.

 

[Ak01]

Because I believe JF-17 have reached a point where any further improvements will requires structural modification and more power/thrust. Which the current engine wont be able to fulfill.

And if you are putting this much work on the airframe and later-on testing and prototyping, it only make sense to upgrade engine as well.

you could argue the oppsite too. Modern upgrades dont necessarily mean more weight. I bet you could have a block 3/4 be lighter than a block 1. You're ditching alot of old tech and designs with these upgrades. The block 1 likely carried mid/early 90's tech onboard. Look at your phone and look at a nokia brick of the era, etc.

 

[Ibbi32]

Does anyone have an updated table for which sqdns are flying which aircraft with blks

 

[RealNapster]

you could argue the oppsite too. Modern upgrades dont necessarily mean more weight. I bet you could have a block 3/4 be lighter than a block 1. You're ditching alot of old tech and designs with these upgrades. The block 1 likely carried mid/early 90's tech onboard. Look at your phone and look at a nokia brick of the era, etc.

Possibly correct. Let's see.

But for me, I wont rely too much on Russian engine. A terrible supplier. If i have the option of WS-19 ro ws-21. I would move.

 

[MirageV3ff]

we have seen 42 and now 50 , thats enough evidence tbh

25-342 was an AI altered image unfortunately

This was from a PTV special regarding op swift retort.

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52:49 time stamp

 

[hasssanali8998]

25-342 was an AI altered image unfortunatelyView attachment 197467

This was from a PTV special regarding op swift retort.

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52:49 time stamp

but the 350 looks real so i am going to ignore that i saw this

 

[Ali_Baba]

might be for azerbaijan

I doubt it - they have their own numbering scheme.

 

[MirageV3ff]

View attachment 197444

Where do you find this from? Considering 25-342 is now proven to be false, I'm skeptical of this image as well (for obvious reasons)

 

[side-winder]

Not sure of the context of this picture, though.

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