XiaoLong-The new advanced aircraft

The FC-1 (also known as Super-7) is the single-seat, single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for export market. Derived from the airframe of the MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed with some radical changes, the aircraft provides an affordable choice for many developing countries who are eager to replace their obsolete MiG-21/J-7 fleets. The FC-1/Super-7 can be specially tailored to meet the customer's specific operational and budgetary requirements�from low-cost options fitted with Chinese indigenous avionics to higher-performance options incorporated with Western developed weapons and avionics. The aircraft is unlikely to enter the service with the Chinese air forces.

PROGRAMME

In 1986 China signed a US$550 million agreement with Grumman to modernise its J-7 fighter under the "Super-7" upgrade. Western companies from the US and Britain were competing to provide the engine and avionics. However, the project was cancelled in early 1990, in the wake of the cooling of political relations with the West, as well as in response to a 40% increase in the cost of the project. Later the project was resumed under the help of Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG), and aircraft was re-branded as FC-1 (Fighter China-1).

The FC-1/Super-7 fighter aircraft is purely a commercial venture worth US$150 million in total. China Aviation Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) and Pakistan are two primary investors each contributing 50% of the development costs. The CAC acts as the main contractor. Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) is involved in some design work and also provides its RD-93 turbofan engine to power the aircraft.

The FC-1/Super-7 mainly targets for the international market as a successor to the second-generation fighters such as MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed and F-5 Tiger. It is estimated that there are currently over 1,000 MiG-21s operational with air forces of at least 33 countries. The first customer is the Pakistani Air Force (PAF), who plans to use the FC-1/Super-7 as a counter to the MiG-29 fighter in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The variant in service with the PAF is designated as JF-17 (Joint Fighter-17) and will replace the 120 F-7P fighters currently in service. Iran also showed interests in buying this aircraft.

The first FC-1 rolled out from the assembly line on 31 May 2003, and its 15-minute maiden flight took place on 24 August 2003. So far three prototypes have been built, with the second for static tests. If everything goes according to the plan, the batch production may begin in 2006~2007.

DESIGN

Initially it was anticipated that the FC-1/Super-7 would be a high-performance, low-cost fighter aircraft to replace outdated F-5s and MiG-21s in many third-world air forces. But with the participation of MASPG, the Russians are using the FC-1/Super-7 as a continuation of the MiG-33 (R33) programme developed in the 1980s. Like the MiG-33, the FC-1/Super-7 uses the RD-93 turbofans, though the FC-1/Super-7 features air inlets on the lateral sides of the fuselage rather than the ventral inlets of the MiG-33. With Russian technical assistance the redesigned FC-1/Super-7 has improved climb out performance and steering capabilities along with a stronger fuselage.

However, the most apparent modifications to the MiG-33 design is the repositioning of the ventral fins from the engine compartment to the added tail edgings, providing aerial manoeuvrability that is claimed to match that of the U.S. F-16. These improvements in performance have affected the programme's costs, and if the final production order is fewer than 300 aircraft the unit price will rise from the original $10 million to $15 million.

WEAPONS

Seven stores stations, one under the fuselage and six under the wing, up to 3,800 kg.

The SD-10 medium-range air-to-air missile developed by China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI, also known as 607 Institute) will be carried on the FC-1/Super-7 as its primary BVR weapon. The aircraft could also carry a range of short-range AAMs including U.S. AIM-9P and Chinese PL-6 and PL-9.

Air strike weapons include laser-guided bombs (LGBs) and various unguided ammunitions.

AVIONICS

A number of venders have been competing for supplying avionics to the FC-1/Super-7 fighter. The options for fire-control radar include Israeli Elta-2032, Italian FIAR Grifo S-7, and Russian Phazotron Kopyo. The JF-17 in service with the PAF will be fitted with the Italian Grifo S-7 fire-control radar, which has 25 working modes and a non-break-down time of 200 hours. The radar is capable of look-down, shoot-down, as well as for ground strike, but lacks multi-targets tracing and attacking capability.

To achieve better aerodynamic performance, the FC-1/Super-7 is also equipped with a digital dual fly-by-wire (FBW).

POWERPLANT

One Russian-made RD-93 turbofans, rated 49.4 kN dry or 81.4 kN with afterburning.

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew: One
Wingspan: 9.00 m
Length: 14 m
Height: 5.10 m
Weight: Empty 6,321 kg; Normal take-off: 9,100 kg; Max take-off 12,700 kg; Max weapon payload 3,800 kg
Maximum Weapon Load: 3,600 kg
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.6
Range: Ferry range 3,000 km; Operational Radius 1,352 km
Service Ceiling: 16,500 m
Maximum Climb Rate: N/A
+G Limit: 8.5

Yo Seekerof,

Dont even think about comparing it to the F-16
This is a modified 3rd gen plane based on a mig 21 airframe

It cant even do 9G's

It only looks like an F-16 from the outside but on the inside its nothing more than an updated Mig-21


[Edited on 1-6-2004 by Stealth Spy]

[Edited on 1-6-2004 by Stealth Spy]

Cockpit

Video of the airplane

www.pakistanidefence.com...

stealth spy thanks for ur resource, but i don't think china will deploy many fc-1, cause i have enough info form the chinese military frums can show that fc-1 may just be a experience plane or so...

Global Security.Org

Because has used the contemporary advanced design and the manufacture technology, the owlet dragon/FC-1 airplane had achieved the third generation fighter aircraft synthesis fighting efficiency, can contend with with now the advanced fighter aircraft, simultaneously has the low cost the characteristic, completely adapts the modern warfare request and the military airplane market demand.

The Pak Tribune reported on April 29, 2004 that the first eight of these aircraft would be delivered to the PLAAF in 2006.

The Chinese are out to play a serious game of catchup, so yes, I agree with the idea that it's just an experience plane. My view on China's improving military technology base is that it will focus on cutting-edge electronics, as China does a heck of a lot of electronics contracting and export. That's an area where they are not at all lacking.

[Edited on 1-6-2004 by Lampyridae]

Of course, we made the F-16 in what, the 60's?

Looks like a mix between a Mig-21 and the F-20

Xiao Long is not a big thing.

It is just equal to a modified Mig-21 with the appearance of F-16.

Anyway we can check its performance in the future Taiwain Strait War.

We will see it.

FC-1 - chinese designation or JF-17 - pakistan designation is not based on MiG-21. It is based on F-16. Originaly it was a pakistan project and started when US put embargo on delivering used F-16A/B. Designation F-17 means, that it is hoped to be the better plane than F-16, but now it is only the wish. The future shows. Pakistan is going to buy 150 aircrafts, and they will be the adversary of India Su-30MKI. China is probably not going to buy it, because it has better planes, like J-10 or J-12.

By the way, the latest inovation of MiG-21 based aircraft is called F-7MF or J-7FS.

Many pictures and information (in slovak language) you can find at:

www.hitechweb.szm.sk/fightersOF02.htm

Is it just me or are ther allot of different fighters in Asia? the F-2, Kung-ho, the j-10, su-30, and f-15? Is everyone in Asia afraid of each other or what?

The "Xiaolong" is a name of Chinese fabulous hawk. The Xiaolong is also called FC-1(Fighter-China 1) and Super-7 in China, and furthermore it is called Thunder in Pakistan.

[Edited on 4-6-2004 by devmim]

Smiley wants to become a defense contractor!




[Edited on 4-6-2004 by SkipShipman]

Text While I love the Chinese people as fellow human beings I must admit that I haven't had much luck with anything made in China that had any mechanical, moving parts. I hope they have quality control on top of the design and maintainence of this mechanical wonder or their pilots will be falling out of the sky.

The new type of fighter plane, J-10, wholly made in China.

The new type of fighter plane, J-10, wholly made in China.

Originally posted by devmim
The new type of fighter plane, J-10, wholly made in China.

ROFLMAO; so China has a barely 4th gen fighter in prototype form with 'Playstation 2' level computer/electronics.....well that's just GOT to justify bloating an already wildly bloated 'defence' budget by billions of $.

LOL, those Americans are funny, there are no serious 'enemies' left (nothing like what used to be a WARPAC type coalition of countries) yet they talk and act like there are.

Talk about pissing your tax-dollars away.

Originally posted by matej
FC-1 - chinese designation or JF-17 - pakistan designation is not based on MiG-21. It is based on F-16. Originaly it was a pakistan project and started when US put embargo on delivering used F-16A/B. Designation F-17 means, that it is hoped to be the better plane than F-16, but now it is only the wish. The future shows. Pakistan is going to buy 150 aircrafts, and they will be the adversary of India Su-30MKI. China is probably not going to buy it, because it has better planes, like J-10 or J-12.

By the way, the latest inovation of MiG-21 based aircraft is called F-7MF or J-7FS.

Dont make me laugh.F-17 means better than F-16.Bad Joke dude
Please do some research before posting.

The Su-30MKI can take out as many of these FC-1's as you please.
Pakistan got nothing in their inventory, so their filling it junk like this Jf-17
It is not a foe of the Su-30MKI, but of Indian Mig-27's

The J-7 a copy of the Mig-21 is upgraded with better aveonics and called the J-7MF