Introduction:
This topic is about the History, Performance & Discussion of Chengdu J-10.
English is not my native language, and the sources are also quite diverse, so if you have any suggestions please feel free.
Due to confidentiality reasons, I can only provide rough data, such as the names and approximate performance of radar, engines, and weapons.
Chinese Air-To-Air missiles
As reference, this topic is about the Chinese Air-To-Air missiles,
Chinese Air-To-Air missiles, History, Performance & Discussion
J-10 (猛龙, Vigorous Dragon):
J-9 (Canard) “The Predecessor of J-10”
On April 1, 1966, the “J-9 Aircraft Design Plan” was submitted. The National Defense Science and Technology Commission held a meeting to review the design plan of the J-9 aircraft and submitted the “J-9 Aircraft Tactical and Technical Demonstration Report” to the Central Military Commission. The report proposes that J-9 has a maximum speed of Mach 2.4, a ceiling of 21 km, a maximum range of 3000 km, a Radius of action of 600 km, a maximum endurance of 3 hours, and a maximum Rate of climb of 180~200 m/s. In order to enable the 601 Institute (Shenyang) to concentrate on developing the J-8, the development task of the J-9 was transferred to the newly formed 611 Institute (Chengdu) in April 1970.
In 1978, due to the urgent requirements for the J-7C undertaken by 611, the development work of the J-9 began to shrink. In 1980, in order to implement the national economic adjustment policy, the development of the J-9 was completely suspended. Due to the Cultural Revolution, the J-9 lasted for more than ten years and ultimately came to an end. Its achievements, especially the canard layout, abdominal air intake and medium range intercepting weapon Fire-control system, provide valuable experience for the development of J-10.
Performance
- Engine: Type 910
- Radar: Unknown
- Air-To-Air Weapons: Unknown
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unknown
J-10
Like the “J-11”, the " J-10" is not a confirmed name, but this does not prevent us from referring to the early models that could only use PL-11 as the J-10. The image shows the earliest prototype, the J-10 “1001”.
The early J-10 differed from the J-10A in many details such as body shape and landing gear doors. Due to its initial intention to use the WS-10, the body shape was specifically optimized for the WS-10, and many positions were significantly different from the J-10A, which was confirmed to have undergone shape improvements after adopting the AL-31F.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: Type 1473
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-6x PL-8, 0-4x PL-11
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguide bomb/rocket
J-10A/J-10AH, J-10S
The J-10A is the first improved version of the J-10. In fact, some units tested it and provided feedback before the J-10 was commissioned. Therefore, the previous version was called the J-10, while the officially commissioned version was called the J-10A. Due to the determination to use the AL-31F, many adjustments have been made to the aerodynamic appearance of the J-10A, including adjustments to the rear end. Unlike the early J-10, which could only use the PL-11, the J-10A could use the PL-12 SRH missile and was equipped with the composite pylon, allowing it to carry up to six PL-12 missiles.
The J-10AH is the naval model of the J-10A, while the J-10S is its dual seater model.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: Type 1473
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-6x PL-8, 0-6x PL-12/PL11
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguide bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-10B
The J-10B is a major upgrade of the J-10A. The Diverterless supersonic inlet successfully used on the FC-1 has been applied to the J-10B. At the same time, the old 1473 radar has been replaced with a more advanced domestic PESA radar, which has greatly improved its ability to detect and attack ground and air targets.
Although there has been a significant improvement, due to the rapid development of China’s AESA radar, J-10C using AESA radar quickly appeared, and its performance completely overwhelmed the J-10B, resulting in only a few dozen J-10Bs being produced before China began to switch to J-10C production.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10
- Radar: XXXX PESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-6x PL-8, 0-6x PL-12
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguide bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-10B TVC
The J-10B TVC is a test model using WS-10 TVC that appeared at an air show. It is actually the first fighter jet in China equipped with a domestically produced vector engine.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10 TVC
- Radar: XXXX PESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-6x PL-8, 0-6x PL-12
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguide bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-10C, J-10CE
The J-10C is currently the final model of the J-10 series, equipped with the latest AESA radar and avionics system. It exists as a medium-sized multi-purpose fighter in the Chinese Air Force’s Three Musketeers system (J-10C, J-16, J-20), and has been improved to use the most advanced PL-10 and PL-15 missiles, as a Gen 4.5 fighter, it can easily suppress neighboring countries’ Gen 4 fighter jets.
J-10CE is a model exported to Pakistan, which is equipped with a redesigned fuel tank. It is equipped with PL-10E and PL-15E, which are downgraded based on China’s own PL-15. The maximum range is limited to 145 (PL-15 has a maximum range of over 200), and the performance difference between PL-10E and PL-10 is not yet known.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-6x PL-10/PL-10E, 0-6x PL-15/PL-15E
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguide bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
Source:
《中国飞机全书》第三卷
《歼九总师谈歼十》
《军工记忆》歼十
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