The multirole JF-17 Thunder (also known as CAC FC-1 Xiaolong) flying at the Dubai Airshow is a joint venture between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Catic group, and is being offered as a supersonic replacement fighter for militaries using older 2nd generation combat aircraft.
The aircraft offers low acquisition cost, compared with other new fighters. At the same time, the JF-17 provides the low operating costs that come with a new, more efficient aircraft as opposed to the much higher operating and maintenance cost associated with competing second-hand, earlier-generation fighters.
To make purchasing this new aircraft even more attractive over second-hand alternatives, PAC and the Pakistan air force have established support services and a dedicated flight-test group to conduct weapons integration and other trials, depending on the needs of customers.
The JF-17 is powered by a Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan, delivering 11,105 pounds of thrust or 19,280 pounds with afterburner, allowing for a top speed of Mach 1.6. – AINonline
Featured image via Wikicommons public domain
