[Military & Weapon Secondary Plane] Author: Lele

After displaying the latest planning model of the "JF-17" at the Karachi Airshow last year, Pakistan has recently brought this plan called JF-17 PFX to the Langkawi Airshow. It seems that Pakistan has truly tasted the sweet success of the "JF-17" project and is determined to continue this concept of a "jointly developed low-cost fighter by China and Pakistan" in the era of stealth.

▲The JF-17 PFX plan looks a bit like the J-35

Although the "JF-17" project had some ups and downs in its early stages, the Pakistan Air Force is very satisfied with the current status: 70 early Block1, 50 Block2, and over 20 Block3 have become the absolute main force. The locally assembled production model in Pakistan has also greatly reduced procurement and usage costs, which is a great help for the financially strained Pakistan Air Force. In the just-concluded Indo-Pakistani air battle, the "JF-17" not only deterred India's aircraft carrier in the south but also severely damaged India's S-400 missile defense system with the export version of the CM-400AKG anti-radiation missile launched across the border in the north, achieving second place only after the J-10CE.

▲The "JF-17" performed excellently in this combat operation

With such achievements, it is indeed reasonable for Pakistan to develop a low-cost fifth-generation fighter based on the "JF-17". However, the technical planning of the currently seen JF-17 PFX is too high, making it difficult to achieve mass production starting in 2030. Specifically, the JF-17 PFX plan intends to install two WS-19 turbofan engines, an entirely upgraded radar and avionics system, with the main weapon being the rumored export version of the PL-17 with a range of 400 kilometers, basically considered as a "degraded stealth layout" version of the J-35. This idea is somewhat similar to South Korea's KF-21, but it is not as radical as the "semi-buried" weapons bay, more like enhancing the stealth level based on the fourth-generation half "JF-17 Block3", while adding another engine.

▲KF-21's design philosophy cannot be learned by other countries

To be honest, I don't think highly of this plan. Upgrading the radar and avionics system poses no problem; the "JF-17 Block3" has already achieved a very high level in this aspect, and as long as the quantity is controlled, the economic cost can be sustained. But changing from single-engine to twin-engine is not so simple—just the other day, outsiders were mocking Trump's attempt to derive a twin-engine F-55 from the single-engine F-35. From an aerodynamic layout perspective, such a change basically means starting over, requiring AVIC (China Aviation Industry Corporation) to take the lead, which is very costly and may not be within Pakistan's financial capability. Additionally, the idea of lightweight stealth is not so simple either.

▲From F-35 to "F-55" is essentially starting over

Since stealth fighters came into existence, countries have been pondering how to apply stealth technology to fourth-generation fighters, such as the famous Boeing F-15SE "Silent Eagle". On this sub-type, Boeing applied advanced technologies including external weapon bays and radar-absorbent materials, attempting to create an equipment infinitely close to a fifth-generation fighter based on mature models. However, compared to the enormous costs incurred, the F-15SE's stealth benefits were not ideal, ultimately fading into obscurity, while the standard-positioned F-15EX gained recognition from the U.S. Air Force. The JF-17 PFX's technical planning in the field of stealth is not as exaggerated as the F-15SE, but it similarly overestimates the performance gains of transitioning from a non-stealth layout to a stealth one and underestimates the associated costs.

▲The F-15EX winning orders was largely due to cost-effectiveness

In contrast, Dassault chose to strengthen unmanned wingmen and combat systems to counter the threat of stealth fighters. This concept is actually the core idea behind China's development of the J-35 and even the sixth-generation aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force has partially taken on this system through the J-10CE, and it should not abandon it. Therefore, a truly rational upgrade plan for the "JF-17" would be as follows: without major adjustments to the overall layout, but imitating the concept of the J-10CE, control the frontal RCS to around 1, while actively expanding unmanned wingmen. Its core idea should not be about how to engage fifth-generation fighters alone, but rather as auxiliary support for the J-35E, fully integrating into the new aerial combat system.

▲The DSI intake and special cockpit design significantly reduce the frontal RCS of the J-10CE

As for the export version of the PL-17, it probably won't be supplied externally in the short term. A 400-kilometer effective engagement range requires extremely high system coordination—how can you hit a target 400 kilometers away if you can't even see it. In fact, the currently seen JF-17 PFX seems more like Pakistan's own vision of the future, rather than a truly discussed and validated plan, although improving the "JF-17" is indeed a good idea.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507946105347310095/

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