FC-1 is ready for batch production
Li Xinran
2006-04-28
THE fourth prototype of FC-1, China's self developed fighter, accomplished its first test-fly in Chengdu Today, China News Service reported.
Based on the first and third prototypes, the fourth accepted an upgrading design on aerodynamics, structure and system. It has a better performance by introducing the most advanced electronic weapon and air inlet systems in China.
As the fully operable prototype, it's successful test-fly means China is able to batch produce the fighter, the news service said.
The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is a single-seat, single-engine, multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation.
The first FC-1 rolled out from the assembly line on 31 May 2003, and its 15-minute maiden flight took place on 24 August 2003.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/20..._production.htm
Description of FC-1JF-17 is currently China's only advanced fighter
developed in open. Many people use it to understand
China's fighter development direction. The DSI
change that started in June of 2004 caused many
surprises, so did the Leading edge extension in
September. Since 2006, JF-17 has been viewed even
more when President Musharraf visited. CCTV showed
brand new JF-17 04 with a previously unseen modern
glass cockpit. This cockpit represent ourcountry's
avionics level has reached world class. JF-17
showed 1 HUD and 2 MFD in the cockpit in previous
displays. There were analog controls in the middle.
The look was similar to F-16a/b. In 2004, zhuhai
airshow showed a cockpit with 1 HUD and 3 MFDs. All
the analog meters on the cockpit got replaced by
digital control. Cockpit underwent a total digital
information redesign. However, the model does not
give people the good feeling that a real thing
would.
Everyone knows that JF-17 is a China/Pakistan
combined venture. JF-17's main aim is to equip PAF.
In south Asian crisis, Pakistan receive American
embargo. It not only failed to receive 79 F-16s it
order, but also could not get spare parts to F-16.
As a result, it had to order 80 F-7PG and some
squadrons even got F-16s replaced by F-7PG. This is
rarely seen in military aviation. JF-17's
development is extremely urgent. Pakistan believes
that JF-17's capability and price should be lower
than F-16C/D, but capability should be higher than
F-16A/B. Due to the anti-terrorism planning, PAF's
importance got changed. America not only agreed to
sell F-16, but also some advanced F-16s that it
could not get before. Due to this pressure, JF-17's
requirement got increased. It needs to be more
advanced than F-16, that's why you see the whole
change in 04.
The new cockpit's electronic system showed JF-17's
modified capability. The new cockpit is very
compact and functional position is positioned well
and shows very mature system. 1 HUD is the main
fighter display. This HUD has 24 degree in sight.
It can add infrared signal? and supply flying,
navigation, liftoff and landing info, it can also
display target details and shooting detail. It can
also communicate, navigate using the GUI There is a
camera located above the HUD. It records HUD and
external sights. HUD is the most important
instrument in flight. Integrated informational
level is dependent on this. Russia added some nice
looking displays for su-30, but their display
information is simple and information is spread.
So, it did not really integrate the information.
The JF-17 HUD uses a lot of digital processing and
information integration information. For example,
radar information, fight command info. HUD's
controller has the ability to change display.
Controller can also control all of the plane's
dipslay. 3 MFDs are below the HUD. It is multi-
colour LCD display. The dimension of the MFD is
20.3cmx30.6cm (note: this works out to be 8 x 12
inch, but a more realistic estimation is 6.25x8.25).
The area is 4 times the previous area. The display
brightness and contrast can be automatically
adjusted. It also allows handle control. Each MFD
displays important function. Display info can be
changed. The control on the side acts as parameter
design. Very often, left side shows weapon
situation and numbers. Right side displays radar
and combat info. The center shows some less
important info, because it requires the pilot to
lower his/her head. Like navigational info and map
and so so. All the MFD can change to other info
like radar, cockpit camera? and infrared picture and
such. cockpit also allows night navigation and
pilots can use night goggles to fly.
04 uses a hotas controller? pilot can keep hands on
controller and still control the fighter's sensor
mode, weapon and display. This greatly reduces a
pilots movement and makes operation much easier.
The controller does not affect the position in
combat? Basically, allows pilots to keep the hand
on the controller in combat. The earlier western
4th generation fighters like F-16A/B only had
limited functions on the controller. JF-17 hotas
uses advanced western design like F-16C/d, F-18C/D
and Mirage2K5's newest model for design. Also, the
system has different controls dependent on the hand
size, length and finger size and length of the user.
Basically, uses customizable controller. Allows a
lot of activities done with limited energy.
04 uses all digital integrated electronic display.
all computers/electronics uses 2 STD-MTL-1553B
databus combined, curren info shared repository and
shared data repository. According to demand, it
also divides into weapons w/commands, radar, EW,
communication, electronic control, payload control,
FBW and so on. This avionics system's core lies in 2
advanced weapons controlling computer. these two
computers do something... Each computer controls 1
double thick 1553B databus? This computer uses new
structure system. It uses main controller rights to
receive and process each system's info. At the same
time, receive pilot's command. Uses command to
control other systems. It's current world's most
advanced input computer and main line integration
web. Very few new fighters has this kind of complex
and high speed system like typhoon, rafale and F-16
E/F. This system uses battle flight software
package to exercise control and allows using
development of more detailed software package to
improve fighter capability and work load. Weapon
controlling computer directly connects to MFD's
structure. It uses information from each system to
display on the 1 HUD and 3MFDs. Radar system is
another important part of JF-17. It's also a major
commercial battle area. Pakistan used a lot of
Grifo radar in the past on F-7s. JF-17 also was
about to use this. Italy also pitted Grifo-S2000
(should be S7) in competition. China also provided
a radar for customers. Domestic radar has good
support for China's weapon systems and missiles.
The current multimode PD radar has BVR capability,
WVR capability and attack land and sea mode and
other modes. Also has look down and shoot down
capability even under disruptive environments below.
You can Track 10 targets from 40 scanned targets
and handle 2 concurrent BVR engagement. The range
vs 3 m^2 targets is larger than 75KM and look down
is larger than 45 KM. It is larger than 135 KM vs
sea targets.
04's GPS navigation system replaced the traditional navigation system, greatly improved precision and reduced preparation time. Talks about GPs capability after this and how American military controls it. It also has other wireless navigation but not as precise as GPS.
JF-17's EW suite is very complex. It combines radar warning receiver and missile proximity receiver to form surveillence system and combined with ECM work. JF-17 uses uses something to diagnose RWR. It can receive a lot of information like fighter radar, missile seeker, A2S guidance radar and provides within 1.5 degree news. RAR has about 100+ radar info repository. It uses measured info to compare. detect the threatening origin and correct (radar type or fighter type?) and warning level. This repository can improve to 300. It can allow reprogramming, receive wartime newly discovered radar signal. 04's improved tail (backside" contains a missile proximity receiver. There will probably be two more put on the fighter for 360 degree coverage. It uses infrared and purple dual band imagine device. It has a purple red window? It can sense missile's rocket engine spoke from 20 KM in. It can correctly predict missile's location, trail and such. It can even estimate engagement time. It can be expanded to a fighter/missile recognition system. It can also provide some infrared imaging, communicate with RWR and hopefully can develop passive signal detection technology.
04's EW suite also has a ECM pod. It and the ECM on the tail provide joint work. ECM current uses traidtional infrared something? modern missile's countermeasure to this is getting stronger each day. To let this simple and cheap ECM achieve high efficiency shows system's level, RWR, MPR and such. This system is only equipped by rafale and F-22. F-18E/F and F-16E/F needs upgrade to have this. 04 should also have ECM inside of fighter. It uses modern ECM technology and uses precise tracking system. Can achieve the affect of large ECM machine with small equipment. This ECM is most modern active guided AAM. It can also counter gither radar lock and scan. It's mainly for PAF's enemy IAF's R-77 missiles.
To acommodate modern web of combat. 04 is equipped with 2 ECM vs radar tower and something else. It can receive datalink info from ground of AWACS. Other equippments include big air computer? and advanced digital processing signal and such. The electronic system stores everything, all the bugs and such. It can use computer to process this. Reduces ground maintenance.
It uses western standard MIL-STD-1760 to allow for integration of western weapons and can also get hooked on with Russian weapons. It will probably uses PL-9C, SD-10, PL-11, AIM-9L/M and AIM-7F. It also good use LGBs and possible A2G missile integration.
http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/sho...3&postcount=131This fighter incoporate DSI intakes and quadraple FBW,a RD-93 turbofan engine,F-18 style LEX wing,many advance feature. But the most significant will be the DSI inlet which can only be found on F-35 joint fighter prototype which increases stealthy and improve airflow which is state of art in the world aviation![/url]