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Significance Of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 For PAKISTAN AIR FORCE:
The JF-17 Block 3 is the first major modernized and high-tech Fighter Jet that PAKISTAN AIR FORCE is going to induct in its Combat Fleet in the next couple of years. The JF-17 Thunder Block-3 is a major leap from its predecessors, including the JF-17 Thunder Block-2 and JF-17 Thunder Block-1 Aircraft.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Aircraft would be equipped with state of the art high-tech Weaponry, Sensors and Radars, including the three-axis/all-digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight-control system, a single Panel Multifunctional Display (MFD) based cockpit, Integrated Electronic Countermeasures Suite (ECM), Integrated Electronic Warfare (EW) Suit, a revolutionary Helmet Mounted Display and Sight System (HMD/S) and a cutting-edge and high-tech KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar.
Giving an insight to the key features of the PAKISTAN AIR FORCE’s Next Generation JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Aircraft, Air Commodore (r) Kaiser Tufail said, “With AESA radar, the JF-17 should be able to resist enemy jamming [via its] many small transmit-receive modules (TRM), making it a much more survivable platform.”
The aircraft’s BVR capability is also expected to be greatly enhanced, especially in an environment increasingly beset with EW advances. Assuming the AESA radar works as expected, the JF-17 would have a more advanced radar than that of the F-16, thus becoming the PAF’s preferred platform in the air-to-air role,” Air Commodore (r) Kaiser Tufail added.
Air Commodore (r) Kaiser Tufail further added that after inducting all these high-tech technologies and armament in JF-17 Thunder Block-III Aircraft, the Aircraft will be in a position to take a qualitative lead and edge against the F-16 V Falcon Aircraft, especially in the domain of Air to Air Platform. All these factors and key advantages will help to make the aircraft more Superior and lethal than the F-16 Combat Aircraft.
One of the biggest advantages of the JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Aircraft is its revolutionary KLJ-7A AESA Radar that allows tracking and engaging of multiple targets simultaneously. This capable radar will give a qualitative edge to the JF-17 Thunder Block-III Aircraft in Air to Air Combat Operations in complex Electronic Counter Measures and Electronic Warfare Environments.
It is pertinent to mention that the CHINA has also used the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar to its 5th Generation Long Range Stealth Fighter Aircraft J-20 or Shenyang FC-31.
Moreover, the aircraft will get the same one panel multifunctional display and a Helmet Display and Sight (HMD/S) system. So, in a way the Fighter Pilots of PAKISTAN AIR FORCE will be familiar with the interoperability of both the aircraft just by flying the JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Combat Jet.
Nevertheless, there is a huge significance of JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Aircraft for the PAKISTAN AIR FORCE (PAF), as the Aircraft is a 4.5++ Generation Aircraft and it can easily compete with any modern aircraft of this domain in an efficient manner.
