ВИФ2 NE : Ветка : Sino-Pak, China launches FC-1 fighter production

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Дата	27.01.2003 21:30:47
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Sino-Pak, China launches FC-1 fighter production - Jane Defense Weekly

истребитель FC-1 пошел в серию

Sino-Pak, China launches FC-1 fighter production

20th January, 2003, Jane's Defence

Production of the FC-1 lightweight fighter for China and Pakistan has been formally launched at China's Chengdu No.132 factory. Islamabad is now expected to receive its first 12 aircraft for test and evaluation during 2004.

While the debut flight of a prototype aircraft has been delayed slightly from next month, this milestone is still anticipated around mid-2003, according to the latest understanding between the partner nations (Jane's Defence Weekly 9 October 2002).

A Chengdu source told JDW that the design standard for the new fighter is similar to that of other third-generation platforms. The type's flight control system is less advanced, however, largely as a result of financial constraints, say other industry sources.

The prototype FC-1 will be powered by a Russian-supplied RD-93 turbofan engine and carry an Israeli-sourced EL/M-2032 airborne fire-control radar. Sources from both the Chinese and Italian aviation industries say Pakistan's production aircraft are more likely to use the Italian FIAR Grifo S-7 radar, which was designed specifically for the new aircraft.

While FIAR officials decline to release detailed information about the system, JDW understands that the design features up to 25 air-to-air and air-to-surface operating modes, and has a search distance of no more than 100km.

The Grifo S-7 is also expected to enable the FC-1 to attack more than two targets simultaneously with active radar-guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs). A full-scale mock-up of the FC-1 shown at the Airshow China exhibition in Zhuhai late last year was armed with Chinese SD-10 (PL-12) beyond-visual-range AAMs, which the Chengdu source said could enable the platform to engage an advanced fighter, such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

In the ground-attack role, the FC-1 could also be equipped with a Chinese-produced laser designation pod and new laser-guided bombs developed with the aid of Russian-supplied technologies, said the source.

Written by Yihong Chang, JDW Correspondent

С уважением, Mike.