J-10 Vigorous Dragon F-10 Vanguard
J-10A seen at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow
Role	Multi-role combat aircraft
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation
Designed by	Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute
First flight	23 March 1998<[1]
Introduced	2005
Status	Operational
Primary users	People's Liberation Army Air Force Pakistan Air Force
Produced	2003-Present
Number built	180+ [2]
Program cost	¥500 million RMB allocated in 1982[1] (Project #10)
Unit cost	$28 million USD (2008 exchange rate) $41 million USD (export version, with parts and maintenance)
Developed from	Chengdu J-9 [3]

The Chengdu J-10 (simplified Chinese: 歼十; traditional Chinese: 殲十; pinyin: Jiān Shí, meaning "Annihilator (Fighter) Ten") is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the People's Republic of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Known in the West as the "Vigorous Dragon",^[4] the J-10 is a multi-role combat aircraft capable of all-weather day/night operation, that the PRC's People's Daily has compared to the F-16 and Mirage 2000.

The status of the J-10 next-generation fighter program remained somewhat ambiguous until December 29 2006, when the Xinhua News Agency officially disclosed its active duty status with the PLAAF.

Contents 1 Development 1.1 Export 1.2 Foreign participation 2 Design 2.1 Airframe and cockpit 2.2 Avionics (aircraft related) 2.2.1 Flight control system 2.2.2 Flight instrumentation 2.3 Avionics (mission related) 2.3.1 Electronic warfare 2.3.2 Infra-Red Search and Track 2.3.3 Radar and targeting 2.4 Propulsion 2.5 Weaponry and external loads 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications (J-10A) 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Development

The program was originally backed by the Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, who authorized half a billion Renminbi to develop an indigenous aircraft, but the official program did not start until several years later in January 1986 when the Chinese government officially issued Project #10,^[1] to develop a fighter to counter new fourth generation fighters then being introduced by the USSR (namely, the MiG-29 and Su-27). The 611th Institute, also known as Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute was tasked as the main developer, with Song Wencong, the chief designer of J-7III assigned as the chief designer, and Xue Chishou (薛炽寿) as the chief engineer. The deputy general designer was Mr. Su Longqing (苏隆清).Initially designed as a specialized fighter, it was later remade into a multirole aircraft capable of both air to air combat and ground attack missions. However, a Chinese children's magazine (zh:少年科学画报, ISSN1000-7776) published in June 1979 showed a boy holding a model of an aircraft similar to the J-10.^[5] The picture indicated that the project began long before 1979.

Although the existence of J-10 has long been reported both inside and outside of China, the Chinese government did not officially admit so until January 2007, when the first photographs of the J-10 were allowed to be published to the public by the Xinhua News Agency. Having been designed under such secrecy, before its official disclosure, many details of the J-10 were subject to much speculation. However, the rumored crash has been openly denied by the government of China after the official governmental acknowledgment of the existence of the J-10: on 1 January 2007, both the Xinhua News Agency and the PLA Daily have claimed/reported the accomplishments of one of the test pilots of the J-10, Li Zhonghua (李中华), and, in these reports, one of the accomplishments quoted was that there was not a single crash since the project began. According to Chinese media reports, the first plane, "J-10 01", rolled out in November 1997, and the first flight of "J-10 01" was on 23 March 1998.^[1] No incident has been reported.^[6] After 18 years in development, the J-10 finally entered service in 2004.^[1][7]

The aircraft made its successful maiden flight on 23 March 1998, flown by test pilot Lei Qiang (雷強), lasting twenty minutes. Another test pilot Li Zhonghua (李中华) test flew the prototype for its aerodynamic performance that lasted till early December, 2003, during which aerial refueling tests were also successfully completed. In these aerodynamic tests, the aircraft was pushed beyond its parameters of the original design and it was discovered that the aircraft could easily withstand the greater requirements. The last part of the test flight was the live round air-to-air missiles test firing, which lasted from 21 December 2003 to 25 December 2003, which was completed by test pilot Xu Yongling (徐勇凌). The aircraft were first delivered to the 13th Test Regiment on 23 February 2003. The aircraft was given the status 'operational' in December of the same year. The first operational regiment was the 131th Regiment of the 44th Division. It is rumored that a regiment of the 3rd Division has also J-10s.

[edit] Export

Plans are in place for AVIC to aggressively market an upgraded J-10 variant, most likely the J-10B, once its development is complete. Several countries have shown interest and Pakistan is likely to be the first export customer, with deliveries taking place in 2014-2015.^[8]

In late February 2006 the then President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, was shown the J-10 and JF-17 production facilities, also taking the opportunity to sit in the cockpits of both aircraft. He later said the Chinese had offered to sell the J-10 to Pakistan and the offer would be considered by the government and air force.^[9] On 12 April 2006 the Pakistani cabinet approved the purchase of at least 36 J-10. On 7 March 2009 ACM Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, then Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, stated that the high-tech fighters would be designated FC-20 and two squadrons (36 aircraft) would be delivered to the PAF in 2014-2015, after some improvements in accordance with PAF requirements.^[10][11][12]

Iran was reported to have signed a deal to purchase 24 J-10 from China in October 2007. The agreement is estimated at a cost of about $1 billion, with deliveries of the 24 jets expected between 2008 and 2010 to replace MiG-29 jets.^[13] However China later denied that the sale had taken place.^[14]

[edit] Foreign participation

This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Aviation or the Aviation Portal may be able to help recruit one. (March 2009)

According to official Chinese sources, the J-10 is said to have been developed from the now canceled Chengdu J-9. However, there have been conflicting reports about a possible relationship between the J-10 and the Israeli IAI Lavi fighter program,^[7] the latter having a similar canard-configuration. The J-9 program predated both of the other aircraft.^[15] In an interview, the general designer of J-10, Mr. Song Wencong (宋文骢) said, "Our nation's new fighter's external design and aerodynamics configuration are completely made by us and did not receive foreign assistance, this made me very proud. Our nation developed J-9 in the 1960s, this adopted the canard configuration. So, those statements that said J-10 is a copy of Israeli Lavi are just laughable."^[16]

The strongest admission of Israeli involvement in the J-10's development by Israeli authorities appeared in a statement made by an official as American authorities investigated alleged Lavi technology transfers to China. The Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defense David Lari "acknowledged in an Associated Press interview that 'some technology on aircraft' had been sold to China and that some Israeli companies may not have 'clean hands'".^[17].

In May 2008, Jane's Information Group reported several interviews with Russian sources claiming to be involved with various Chengdu military projects. A number of engineers, designers and technical specialists described their visits to Chengdu and other areas of China in the 1980s. A source alleged that high-level Chengdu officials described the possession of a single Lavi prototype at one of Chengdu's facilities. They also claim that in 2000, two years after the J-10's maiden flight, aerodynamic models were sent to Russian wind tunnel testing facilities to study the J-10's aerodynamics.^[18]

During the 2006 Farnborough Airshow, the Russian Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA) confirmed its participation in the J-10 program. According to the article, this participation was limited to observation and instruction as "scientific guides." The sources also claimed that the J-10 was based on the canceled Israeli IAI Lavi.^[19]

Kommersant's reporter Kostantin Lantratov affirmed that Russian consent was required to export the J-10, given its Russian AL-31 engine.

[edit] Design

J-10 was designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI), a subordinate research institute of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC). Some of the designers and their roles are identified as follows; Xue Chishou (薛炽寿, chief engineer, also deputy general manager of CAIC), Zhou Ziquan (周自全, chief test engineer, also deputy director of CADI). In a rather unusual agreement, the single seat version of the J-10 and the twin seat version of J-10 were designed by two different general designers; Song Wencong for the single seat version and Yang Wei (杨伟) for the twin seat version, also the general designer of the JF-17 light-weight fighter. Sang Jianhua (桑建华) of CADI was responsible for airframe design features that reduce radar signature.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Airframe and cockpit

Constructed from metal alloys and composite materials for high strength and low weight, the airframe's aerodynamic layout adopts a "tail-less canard delta" wing configuration. A large delta wing is mid-mounted towards the rear of the fuselage, while a pair of canards (or foreplanes) are mounted higher up and towards the front of the fuselage, behind and below the cockpit. This configuration provides very high agility, especially at high speed. A large vertical tail is present on top of the fuselage and small ventral fins underneath the fuselage provide further stability.

A rectangular air intake is located underneath the fuselage, providing the air supply to the engine. Also under the fuselage and wings are 11 hardpoints, used for carrying various types of weaponry and drop-tanks containing extra fuel.

The retractable undercarriage comprises a steerable pair of nose-wheels underneath the air intake and two main gear wheels towards the rear of the fuselage.

The cockpit is covered by a two-piece bubble canopy providing 360 degrees of visual coverage for the pilot. The canopy lifts upwards to permit cockpit entry and exit. The Controls take the form of a conventional centre stick and a throttle stick located to the left of the pilot. These also incorporate "hands on throttle and stick" (HOTAS) controls. A zero-zero ejection seat is provided for the pilot, permitting safe ejection in an emergency even at zero altitude and zero speed.

[edit] Avionics (aircraft related)

[edit] Flight control system

Due to the J-10's aerodynamically unstable design, a digital quadruplex-redundant fly-by-wire flight control system aids the pilot in flying the aircraft. Chinese aircraft designer Yang Wei is claimed to be the chief designer of the fly-by-wire flight control system, although this is disputed by analyst Richard Fisher who credits Israeli consultants for developing the system.^[20] The flight control computer provides automatic flight coordination and keeps the aircraft from entering potentially dangerous situations such as unintentional slops or skids. This therefore frees the pilot to concentrate on his intended tasks during the combat.

[edit] Flight instrumentation

Information is provided visually to the pilot via three liquid crystal multi-function displays (MFD) in the cockpit. Chief designer of the flight instrumentation panel was Zhou Han (周寒, unrelated to the chief test engineer), who was in charge of both the CRT display design at the early stages of development and the later liquid crystal display (LCD) design that is currently adopted by J-10 in service.

The LCD display panel entered service shortly after 2000. The LCD displays and earlier CRT displays for J-10 (and that of WZ-10, J-11 and JH-7) are manufactured by the Suzhou Long Wind Machinery Plant (苏州长风机械总厂), later reorganized as AVIC Radar and Avionics Equipment Research Institute (中航雷达与电子设备研究院).

In addition to the flight instrumentation, a Chinese holographic head-up display (HUD) is also present. The HUD shows important flight and combat related information such as targeting cues. It can also be used as a radar scope, a feature believed to be inspired by the HUDs of Russian aircraft, that allows the pilot to keep his eyes focused at infinity while working with his radar. Monochrome images from electro-optical avionics pods (FLIR and targeting pods) can also be displayed on the HUD. The HUD was designed to overcome issues with the HUDs of Russian fighters, which experienced significant fogging problems when deployed in humid and tropical zones of China, as they were originally designed for deployment in arid Arctic/sub-Arctic zones. The modular design of the HUD system and use of the MIL-STD-1553B databus architecture allows HUDs of Western origin to be integrated if desired by the user.

[edit] Avionics (mission related)

[edit] Electronic warfare

A comprehensive internal electronic counter-measures (ECM) suite is likely to be present, which can be supplemented by active jammer pods such as the BM/KG300G carried externally on the aircraft's hardpoints. Additionally, the KZ900 signals intelligence (SIGINT) pod can be carried for reconnaissance missions.

[edit] Infra-Red Search and Track

A Chinese infra-red search and track (IRST) system developed by the Sichuan Changhong Electric Appliance Corporation, the Type Hongguang-I (Rainbow Light-I) Electro-Optical Radar (虹光-Ⅰ型光电雷达), is integrated with the J-10. It is a third generation optronics system utilising a HgCdTe focal array with imaging infra-red (ImIR) capability. Receiving its certification on 3 March 2005 and subsequently entering service with the PLAAF, the system was revealed to the public one year later at a conference on the Sichuan province of China, during which the system was demonstrated to visiting officials. Based on the limited information released, Type Hongguang-I has a maximum range of 75 km.

Although the Type Hongguang-I was designed to be lighter and more compact than similar Russian systems so that it could be fitted in the nose of J-10 while leaving enough space for a suitable radar, the current production model J-10 does not have enough space and must carry a podded version externally on one of the aircraft's hardpoints. However, recently released images show a modified variant of the J-10 with what is believed to be an IRST device fitted to the upper starboard side of the nose (see Variants). Type Hongguang-I is also designed to be compatible with China's Shenyang J-11, Shenyang J-8 and Xian JH-7 combat aircraft, as well as the Xian H-6 bomber and Sino-Pakistani JF-17 light-weight fighter.

[edit] Radar and targeting

According to Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation officials the J-10 uses a multi-mode fire-control radar designed in China. The radar has a mechanically scanned planar array antenna and is capable of tracking 10 targets. Of the 10 targets tracked, 2 can be engaged simultaneously with semi-active radar homing missiles or 4 can be engaged with active radar homing missiles.^[21]

The radar is believed to be designed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET), designated KLJ-10 and a smaller variant is claimed to be installed on the JF-17 light-weight fighter.^[22] Believed to be based on technologies from Russia, Israel or a combination of both, the radar should be comparable to Western fighter radar designs of the 1990s. It may also be replaced by more advanced radars of other origin on export versions of the J-10. The Italian FIAR (now SELEX Galileo) Grifo 2000/16, has been offered to the Pakistan Air Force for installation on the J-10, should the PAF induct the aircraft.^[21] On June 14, it was announced by Chinese state media that a version of J-10 has been equipped with a phased array radar.^[23]

In Chinese military technology related exhibitions, various helmet-mounted display (HMD) systems developed by Chinese organisations have been shown. It is believed that the J-10 is integrated with such a system to assist the pilot in targeting enemy aircraft. The J-10 has also been featured in photos and models carrying the FILAT (Forward-looking Infra-red Laser Attack Targeting) pod for laser designation of targets and the Blue Sky forward looking infra-red (FLIR) pod for low visibility, low altitude flights.

[edit] Propulsion

The J-10 is powered by a single Russian Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FN turbofan engine giving a maximum static power output of 12,500 kgf (123 kN, 27,600 lbf)). The most significant difference between the AL-31FN and the AL-31F is the arrangement of certain parts and mechanisms due to spacial limitations of the engine bay in the J-10. The AL-31F is designed for a twin engine aircraft such as the Su-27. For the J-10's AL-31FN variant, protruding parts of the engine such as the gearbox and pump are mounted opposite to that of AL-31F.

The AL-31FN is expected to be replaced by a domestic powerplant developed and manufactured in China, the WS-10A (WoShan-10A) Taihang turbofan, giving a thrust of 129 kN (13,200 kgf or 29,101 lbf). A variant of WS-10A with thrust vector control, reported to have asymmetric nozzles, is also undergoing testing according to reports.

[edit] Weaponry and external loads

The aircraft's internal armament consists consists of a 23 mm twin-barrel cannon, located underneath the port side of the intake. Other weaponry and equipment is mounted externally on 11 hardpoints, to which 6,000 kg (13,228 lb) ^[24] of weaponry such as missiles and bombs, drop-tanks containing fuel and other equipment such as avionics pods can be attached.

Air-to-air missiles deployed may include short range air-to-air missiles such as the PL-8 and PL-9, medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles such as the PL-11 and PL-12, unguided and precision guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-9K) and anti-radiation missiles such as the PJ-9.

[edit] Variants

• J-10A: Single seat multi-role variant. The export designation is F-10A.^[25]

• J-10S: Twin-seat fighter-trainer variant of J-10A. The forward fuselage of the aircraft is stretched to accommodate an additional pilot seat, two pilots sit in tandem with a single large bubble canopy. Also incorporates an enlarged dorsal spine which may accommodate additional avionics equipment or fuel. As well as serving as training aircraft, the J-10S may also be used for the ground attack role where the rear seat pilot would act as the weapon systems operator.^[26]

• J-10B: An upgraded variant of J-10. Existence is not confirmed by official Chinese sources but numerous images of a new J-10 variant have appeared, showing a prototype J-10 modified with a diverterless supersonic intake (DSI), an infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor, modified vertical stabiliser and ventral fins, housings fitted under the wings and a modified nose that could indicate a new type of radar.^[27][28] This variant may be the same aircraft as "Super-10", a variant reported by Russian sources in January 2006 to be under development and incorporating a passive phased array (PESA) radar, stronger airframe and the Saturn AL-31FN M1 turbofan engine with 3D thrust vector control (TVC).^[29]

• FC-20: An export variant of J-10 designed for the Pakistan Air Force.^[30] First flight stated to take place in 2009.^[31]

[edit] Operators

 People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force - At least 6 regiments of 28 aircraft each (single seaters and twin seaters combined) have been spotted so far. Thus, there are at least 168 aircraft serving with the PLAAF. Total requirement believed to be around 300 aircraft.^[32]

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force - Initial delivery of 36 FC-20 scheduled for 2014-15.^[30]

[edit] Specifications (J-10A)

This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (basic), 2 (trainer variant)^[7]
• Length: 15.5 m (50 ft 10 in)
• Wingspan: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)
• Height: 4.78 m (15.7 ft)
• Wing area: 39 m² (419.8 ft²)
• Empty weight: 8,000–9,730 kg (17,637–21,451 lb^[33])
• Loaded weight: 18,500 kg (40,785 lb ^[34])
• Useful load: 4,500 kg (9,920 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 19,277 kg (42,500 lb^[7])
• Powerplant: 1× Saturn-Lyulka AL-31FN or WS-10A Taihang turbofan
  • Dry thrust: 79.43 kN / 89.17 kN (17,860 lbf / 20,050 lbf)
  • Thrust with afterburner: 122.5 kN^[7] / 129.4 kN (27,557 lbf / 29,101 lbf)

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.9 at altitude^[7], Mach 1.2 at sea level^[4]
• g-limits: +9/-3 g (+88/-29 m/s², +290/-97 ft/s²^[4])
• Combat radius:
  
  • On hi-lo-hi mission: 2,540 km (1,370 nautical miles) with 4,000lb/1,814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles ^[35]
  • On lo-lo-lo mission: 1,310 km (710 nautical miles with 4,000lb/1,814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles ^[35]
• Maximum range (without refueling): 3,400 km (2,113 mi^[7]) ()
• Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,055 ft ^[36])
• Wing loading: 335 kg/m² (64 lb/ft²)
  

Armament

• Guns: 1× 23mm twin-barrel cannon
• Hardpoints: 11 in total (6× under-wing, 5× under-fuselage) with a capacity of 6,000 kg (13,228 lb) external fuel and ordnance ^[37],
• Rockets: 90 mm unguided rocket pods
• Missiles:
  
  • Air-to-air missiles: PL-8, PL-9, PL-11, PL-12
  • Air-to-surface missiles: PJ-9, YJ-9K
• Bombs: laser-guided bombs (LT-2), glide bombs (LS-6) and unguided bombs
• Others:
  • Up to 3 external fuel drop-tanks (1× under-fuselage, 2× under-wing) for extended range and loitering time

Avionics

• NRIET KLJ-10 multi-mode fire-control radar
• Externally-mounted avionics pods:
  • Type Hongguang-I infra-red search and track pod
  • BM/KG300G self-protection jamming pod
  • KZ900 electronic reconnaissance pod
  • Blue Sky navigation/attack pod
  • FILAT (Forward-looking Infra-red Laser Attack Targeting) pod

[edit] See also

Related development

• Chengdu J-9
• IAI Lavi
• Shenyang J-13
  

[edit] References

• Combat Aircraft - The International Journal of Military Aviation, Vol. 7, No. 9, November 2006 (English)

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chengdu J-10

General information

• AirForce-Technology.com J-10 factsheet (English)
• AirForceWorld.com J-10 article (Chinese)
• GlobalSecurity.org article on the J-10 (English)
• SinoDefence.com J-10 factsheet and pictures (English)
• Chinese Military Aviation at Stormpages.com (English)
• Milavia.com J-10 article and pictures (includes J-10 specifications from Air Forces Monthly magazine) (English)
• SinoDefence.com article on J-10B (English)
• Jane's Defence article on J-10B (English)

News and magazine articles:

• GrandeStrategy.com article on the J-10B (English)
• MIW article on the J-10 (English)
• Article on Russian involvement in J-10 design project
• Article on foreign involvement in J-10 design project
• Newspaper article on delivery of J-10 to Pakistan

Photo galleries:

• DefenceTalk.com J-10 picture gallery (includes official press release photos) (English)
• Flamber.ru J-10 photo album (Russian)

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