Article Posted on : - Nov 16, 2009

The (Jian-10) J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The aircraft was designed and developed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute) and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of AVIC.

The aircraft has been operational with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The aircraft made its successful maiden flight on 23 March 1998.

The J-10 is available in the single-seat fighter variant J-10 and two-seater fighter-trainer variant J-10S.The J-10 aircraft is considered as a replacement for the J-7 and Q-5. The air force currently operates about 250 J-7 (MiG-21) air defence and attack aircraft and about 500 Q-5 attack aircraft.A further improved single-seat fighter variant designated J-10B made its maiden flight in February 2009.

The fixed armament of the J-10 includes its 11 external hardpoints. The outer wing stations carry air-to-air missiles such as the Chinese built Python 3 PL-8, P-11 or PL-12 or the Russian Vympel R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') or R-77 (AA-12 'Adder').The aircraft can be armed with laser-guided bombs, the anti-ship YJ-8K or C-801K solid rocket powered missiles, the C-802 land attack and anti-ship turbojet-powered missiles manufactured by CHETA, and the YJ-9 anti-radiation missile.

Specifications:

Crew: One (J-10); Two (J-10S)

Power plant: 1X Russian Salyut AL-31FN turbofan

Thrust (dry): 76.2kN (7,770kg, 17,130 lb)

Thrust (afterburning): 122.55kN (12,500kg, 27,557 lb)

In-flight refuelling: Yes

Weapon: 23mm single-barrel cannon

External Hardpoints: 11 (five under the fuselage centerline; six under the wings)

Engines:

J-10: 1 x Saturn Lyulka AL-31FN

Saturn AL-31FN M1 Thrust: 79kN, 123kN with after burn

J-10 Super 10: 1 x Salyut AL-31FN M1

Salyut AL-31FN M1 Thrust: 132.5kN with after burn

Internal Fuel Tanks Capacity: 4,950l

Performance:

Maximum Speed (High Altitude): Mach 1.9

Maximum Speed (Sea Level): Mach 1.2

Altitude: 18,000m

Combat Radius: 550km

Manoeuvrability, g Limits: -3g to +9g

-Courtesy:

Global Security
Sino Defence Website.