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Second Prototype Of JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Fighter Aircraft Bearing Number 3001 Appears With Lethal PL-10E Short Range Air To Air Missiles (AAMs):

More Blessings for the Best and Great PAKISTANI Nation as the Second Prototype of PAKISTAN CHINA Joint Strike Fighter JF-17 Thunder Block 3 bearing number 3001 appears with carrying lethal PL-10E Short Range Air To Air Missile (AAMs), marking the first time a JF-17 Thunder armed with the revolutionary and cutting-edge infrared (IR)-guided weapon.

Reportedly, this is the second prototype of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 Aircraft, manufactured jointly by the PAKISTAN Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra and CHINA’s State Owned Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG).

The first ever prototype of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 Aircraft bearing number 3000 appears flight test in CHINA, while the second Prototype of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 bearing number 3001 done a flight test at some undisclosed location in PAKISTAN while carrying lethal PL-10E Infrared Homing Air To Air Missiles (AAMs). 

It is pertinent to mention that PAKISTAN has kick started the mass and bulk production of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 Aircraft few weeks back. The JF-17 Thunder Block 3 is equipped with the revolutionary KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Water-Cooled Radar, along with other sensors, radars and weaponry upgrades.

Other features of the PAKISTAN’s Pride JF-17 Thunder Block 3 includes Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System, a three-axis digital fly-by-wire flight control system, Helmet Mounted Display and Sight System (HMD/S), enhanced Electronic Warfare Management System, thinner holographic wide-angle head-up display and hi-tech Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS).

Reportedly, PAKISTAN and its Iron Brother have selected the upgraded Russian Klimov RD-93MA afterburning Turbofan engine with enhanced thrust and a better Thrust To Weight Ratio.

IMO the News of the day! ?

For the first time the first JF-17 Block 3 prototype was seen carrying PL-10E AAMs.

(Image by ISUR via https://t.co/JGw20nXhYE) pic.twitter.com/TGQ66BvxkO

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 27, 2021

Based on all these distinctive features and specs, the JF-17 Thunder Block 3 can easily be certified as the 4.5++ Generation Plus Fighter jet, which only costs around 30 million USD per unit.

It is pertinent to mention that PAKISTAN has kick started the mass production of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 back in late 2021. PAKISTAN AIR FORCE has already placed an order for the procurement of 50 Numbers of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 Aircraft. The deliveries of the said aircraft are expected to start early 2022.