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	Chengdu J-10, F-10 ASCC codename: unknown Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION: The Jianjiji-10 Fighter Aircraft 10 (J-10) "Vigorous Dragon" project began in the mid-1980s. The goal of the program appears to be the development of an indigenous Chinese multi-role fighter equivalent to the Mirage 2000 operated by Taiwan. The J-10 is reportedly similar to the American F-16 and a cancelled Israeli fighter based on the F-16 called the Lavi. Although Israel denies transferring any unauthorized technology, it is known Israeli companies supplied assistance in J-10 development. Pakistan also reportedly provided one of its F-16s to China for study, and several Russian engineers who worked on the J-10 indicated a Lavi prototype was located in Chengdu's facilities. The resulting design, very similar to the Lavi externally, features a delta wing with canards mounted just aft of the cockpit. The J-10 is powered by a single Russian AL-31F turbofan, but there is speculation this engine may only be used on prototypes and early production models until China is able to substitute a domestically-developed WS-10A turbofan. Early artist impressions indicated an F-16 style engine inlet, but the prototype emerged with a rectangular inlet reminiscent of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Like the engine, many J-10 avionics are also of Russian origin. The radar for full-rate production models is still something of a mystery, but the most likely candidate is a Chinese pulse Doppler planar array copied from Russian and Israeli technology. The cockpit features a layout of LCD displays, HUD, and helmet-mounted sight typical of contemporary fighters. The J-10 is envisioned as a multi-role fighter replacing the obsolescent Q-5 and J-7 and armed with much improved weapons. In the air interceptor role, the J-10 will likely be armed with the PL-8 infrared-homing short-range missile (a copy of the Israeli Python 3) and the radar-homing medium-range PL-11 or PL-12. A variety of precision-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles are also expected to be fielded for surface attack and anti-ship missions. Much of the J-10's history has been clouded in mystery. Official authorization for the project appears to have been given in 1986 or 1988 with a mock-up completed by late 1993. However, this initial design was predicted to have poor performance, and evolving requirements for a multi-role fighter instead of an air-superiority aircraft forced redesign and development delays. Some reports suggest prototype 1001 first flew in mid-1996 and the second prototype 1002 suffered a fatal accident in 1997. The Chinese government refutes these claims and announced first flight came on 23 March 1998. Detractors doubt this explanation believing this to be the resumption of flight testing after the accident, but China maintains no incidents have occurred during testing. Some 140 flight tests had been completed by late 2000 with nine prototypes, static test airframes, and pre-production aircraft built by mid-2002. The first two-seat J-10S appeared in 2003, the same year that single-seat J-10A models were delivered for operational evaluation. Service entry was achieved by 2005. Rumors emerged in 2006 of a new improved model called the J-10B that incorporates advanced features. Among these are a redesigned diverterless engine inlet similar to that used by the X-32, an electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) including an infrared search and track (IRST) camera and laser rangefinder mounted forward of the canopy, and an enlarged vertical tail housing electronic warfare or electronics countermeasures equipment. It is anticipated the J-10B will become the future production standard. Although it is believed some 300 J-10s are on order for the Chinese Air Force and Navy, the decision to license-build the Russian Su-27 (aka the J-11) suggests a possible lack of confidence in the ultimate success of the J-10 design. Some reports indicate China is developing a new model called the J-10C as a fighter bomber and abandoning the air superiority role given disappointment in the J-10's performance compared to the Su-27. Approximately 120 J-10 fighters were built by 2008. An F-10 export variant is in development, and Pakistan has ordered 36 under the designation FC-20. Iran has also shown interest and reportedly made a deal for 24 F-10 fighters in 2007, but China has denied the rumor. A navalized version, possibly confused with the J-10B, for use on a future Chinese aircraft carrier has also been suggested but no details are known. Data below subject to change as more information becomes available Last modified 11 March 2011
HISTORY:
First Flight	(J-10A) 23 March 1998 (J-10S) 26 December 2003 (J-10B) December 2008
Service Entry	2004 or 2005
CREW:	one: pilot
COST:	(J-10A) $28 million [2008$] (FC-20) $41 million [2008$]
DIMENSIONS:
Length	47.92 ft (14.57 m)
Wingspan	28.81 ft (8.78 m)
Height	15.69 ft (4.78 m)
WING:
Root Airfoil Section	unknown
Tip Airfoil Section	unknown
Area	356.3 ft² (33.10 m²)
Aspect Ratio	2.33
Control Surface Areas	inboard elevons: unknown outboard elevons: unknown leading-edge slats: unknown
TAIL:
Tailfin Area	unknown, equipped with a swept dorsal fin and two canted ventral fins
Control Surface Areas	rudder: unknown
FOREPLANE:
Canard Span	unknown
Canard Area	58.66 ft² (5.45 m²)
Control Surface Areas	58.66 ft² (5.45 m²)
UNDERCARRIAGE:
Type	Retractable tricycle with two main gear and single steerable nose gear
Main Gear	Single wheel per unit, tire size unknown
Nose Gear	Two wheels per unit, tire size unknown
Wheel Track	unknown
Wheel Base	unknown
WEIGHTS & LOADINGS:
Empty	21,495 lb (9,750 kg)
Normal Takeoff	unknown
Maximum Takeoff	40,785 lb (18,500 kg)
Maximum Landing	unknown
Internal Fuel Capacity	9,920 lb (4,500 kg) in 1,310 gal (4,950 L) fuselage and wing tanks
External Fuel Capacity	4,770 lb (2,165 kg) in two 420 gal (1,600 L) and one 210 gal (800 L) tanks
Maximum Payload	9,920 lb (4,500 kg)
Wing Loading	85.0 lb/ft² (415.0 kg/m²)
Thrust/Weight Ratio	0.98
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	one Saturn/Lyulka AL-31FN afterburning turbofan
Engine Rating	1 x 17,855 lb (79.4 kN) 1 x 27,560 lb (122.6 kN) with afterburner
Engine Intakes	One variable geometry inlet on fuselage chin
Fuel Type	unknown
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed (at altitude)	Mach 1.85
Max Level Speed (at sea level)	915 mph (1,470 km.h), Mach 1.2
Cruise Speed	unknown
Takeoff Speed	unknown
Landing Speed	unknown
Takeoff Distance	1,150 ft (350 m)
Landing Distance	unknown
Maximum Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	59,050 ft (18,000 m)
Combat Radius	300 nmi (555 km)
Ferry Range	1,000 nmi (1,850 km)
Endurance	unknown
g-Limits	+9.0 / -3.0
SYSTEMS:
Crew Escape	Zero-zero ejection seat
Radar	(prototypes) Type 1473 indigenously-produced radar (J-10A) Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology KLJ-10 multi-mode mechanically scanned planar array pulse Doppler system based on the Russian Phazotron Zhuk and Zhemchug as well as the Israeli Elta EL/M-2035 (FC-20) Italian FIAR Grifo 2000/16 (J-10B) phased array radar?
Avionics	1553B databus, air data computer, wide angle holographic head up display (HUD), three liquid crystal multi-function displays, helmet-mounted weapon sight
Self-protection	Radar warning receiver, BM/KG300G active jammer pod, electronic countermeasures system
Flight Controls	Type 634 quadruplex digital fly-by-wire
In-Flight Refueling	Fixed probe mounted on starboard side
Airbrakes	Single unit on each side of rear fuselage
COMPOSITION:	Aluminum: majority of structure composed of aluminum alloys Composites: likely used on some wing and control surface components
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 23-mm cannon
Stations	eleven external hardpoints: centerline, tandem pairs on sides of fuselage, three under each wing
Air-to-Air Missile	up to two PL-8 or PL-9, up to four PL-11 or PL-12
Air-to-Surface Missile	C-801/YJ-8 or C-802/YJ-82 anti-ship, YJ-91 anti-radiation
Bomb	up to two 500-kg laser-guided, up to six 250-kg GP
Other	up to four 19-mm rocket pods, FILAT (Forward-looking Infra-red Laser Attack Targeting) pod, Blue Sky FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-red) pod, KZ900 SIGINT (SIGnals INTelligence) pod
VARIANTS:
J-10A	Production single-seat attack fighter
F-10A	Export model of the J-10A
J-10S	Production two-seat trainer with a lengthened forward fuselage for the instructor pilot and an enlarged dorsal spine possibly for avionics or fuel, may also be developed as an electronic countermeasures jammer aircraft or a ground attack model with the second crew member operating mission equipment
Super 10 or J-10B	Upgraded model that may include a more powerful AL-31FN M1 engine, a refined diverterless air intake, a 2D or 3D thrust vectoring nozzle, a strengthened airframe, modified vertical tail and ventral fins, an electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) with an infrared search and track (IRST) camera and laser rangefinder, new electronics countermeasures equipment, and a modified nose for a passive phased-array radar
J-10BS	Possible designation for a two-seat version of the J-10B
J-10C	Rumored two-seat model emphasizing ground attack owing to disappointment in the fighter capabilities of the J-10A, the second seat being devoted to a weapon systems officer
FC-20	Designation for the F-10 in Pakistan with some modifications required by the Pakistanis; at least 36 ordered with delivery to start in 2014 or 2015
COMBAT HISTORY:
	none
OPERATORS:
	China, Zhongkuo Shenmin Taifang Tsunputai (People's Liberation Army Air Force) Pakistan, Pakistan Fiza'ya (Pakistani Air Force)
3-VIEW DIAGRAM:
SOURCES: Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 140-141, Chengdu Aircraft F-10. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 10-11, Chengdu J-10.
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