JF-17 Block III vs F-16 Fighting Falcon C: A Race JF-17 Thunder won by a Mile | World Defense

JF-17 Block III vs F-16 Fighting Falcon C: A Race JF-17 Thunder won by a Mile

Scorpion

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JF-17 Block III vs F-16 Fighting Falcon C: A Race JF-17 Thunder won by a Mile
Pakistan Air Force for long had been using F-16 C's as the most elite fighters in its arsenal, but no more. The advent of JF-17 Block III with its deadly weapons capability and futuristic tech took Pakistan to the top. Block III variant is going to be the most deadly fighter in the subcontinent.
JF-17-Block-III-vs-F-16-C-A-Race-JF-17-Thunder-won-by-a-Mile-640x336.jpg


Pakistan is among the few countries which successfully launched the fourth generation fighter jet programs and completed them, Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder is an example of that. While Israel’s Lavi and India’s Tejas program got lost in the wind, Pakistan, in collaboration with China, successfully launched the most fearsome fighter jet in Pakistan arsenal. Though Pakistan might need a heavier “Air Superiority” fighter to counter India’s Su-30MKI, JF-17 has the capability to take on anything Indian Air Force throws its way.

The race for Pakistan is never over. The struggle to maintain air superiority is ever going between the arch-rivals in Subcontinent.

Pakistan’s JF-17 Block II vs F-16 C
The second installment of Pakistan’s star-fighter, JF-17 Thunder Block II was considered an equal to F-16 in its capabilities of aerial warfare and weapon carrying capacity. The modern version of the American fighter, F-16 C enjoyed several advantages at JF-17 Block-II but those came at a hefty price. F-16 C maintenance cost is too high and it has a considerably low sortie rate.

Even then Pakistani fighter enjoyed several other advantages at US’ top jet. JF-17 Block II’s operational altitude is quite higher and far superior ship busting capabilities due to the munitions it carries. The fearsome C-802 anti-ship cruise missile is loaded in the JF-17. Moreover, there are approximately 65 F-16’s in Pakistan Air Force’s service, of which only 18 are the modern F-16 C while all the other are the old F-16 A variants.


Before JF-17 Block II was inducted in PAF, F-16 C formed what was Pakistan’s small elite unit of PAF because of the fact that the A variants of F-16 in Pakistan’s service lacked modern sensors, avionics, electronic warfare systems and a superior air to air fighting capability. F-16 C was the most advanced fighter PAF flew, exceeding greatly the fighting capabilities of F-16 A and by quite a smaller margin, those of JF-17 Block II.

JF-17 Block III
In comes the JF-17 Block III and changed the way the world looked at Pakistan’s Air Force capabilities. Superior in every way to the most advanced fighter currently in Pakistan’s service, F-16 C, Block III variant of JF-17 Thunder boasts some significant improvements.

Engine
The Block III version of the JF-17 is slated to receive the RD-93MA or Chinese WS-13 engine, while its previous version had a Chinese license-built Klimov RD-93MA turbofan engine.

Speed
JF-17 Block III variant can exceed the speed of Mach 2, almost 2470 km/h.

Avionics
The JF-17 Block 3’s avionics are nothing less than a state of the art. JF-17 Block III will have a helmet-mounted display (HMD) and possibly an internal infrared search and tracking (IRST) system. The plane boasts a full glass cockpit and a new single panel multifunctional display.

Radar
Pakistan negotiated with British and Italian defense firms regarding avionics and radars for the JF-17 development. Radar options include the Italian Galileo Avionica’s Grifo S7 the French Thomson-CSF’s RC400 (a variant of the RDY-2), and the British company SELEX Galileo’s Vixen 500E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

Fifty JF-17s were to be upgraded and an optional fifty from 2013 onwards, at a cost of up to US$1.36 billion. The RC-400 radar, MICA AAMs, and several air-to-surface weapons are believed to be in the contract. The PAF also held talks with South Africa for the supply of Denel A-darter AAMs.

Beyond Visual Range Capabilities
The most significant changes in JF-17 Block III are to its beyond visual range combat capabilities. Advantages of integrating an AESA radar not only allows the JF-17 Block 3 to detect targets at far longer ranges, and to track and lock onto more targets simultaneously, but its is also less prone to jamming and leaves a far lower radar signature – meaning it is both more reliable and makes the fighter more difficult to detect.

Alongside state of the art Chinese electronic warfare systems, and what appears to be a radar cross-section reducing profile, a combination of modern avionics, and AESA radar and PL-15 missiles will make the JF-17 Block 3 an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat considerably more capable than any fighter currently in Pakistani service including the F-16 C.

Pakistani Project Azm
While JF-17 Block III variant, upon its induction, in 2022 will most likely take up the mantle of Pakistan’s most elite fighter jet, Pakistan has entered the race of making the 5th generation jets currently only being produced by the US, Russia, and China.

Entering the race alone is an admirable feat for Pakistan, a country running on a $280 billion. Pakistan’s ambitious and visionary Project Azm includes the design and development of multiple innovative aviation projects, including the development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and other projects.
 

Scorpion

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Ok here is an article I enjoyed reading but it's kind of insulting to compare the JF-17 to the F-16C.
 

CHI RULES

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JF-17 Block III vs F-16 Fighting Falcon C: A Race JF-17 Thunder won by a Mile
Pakistan Air Force for long had been using F-16 C's as the most elite fighters in its arsenal, but no more. The advent of JF-17 Block III with its deadly weapons capability and futuristic tech took Pakistan to the top. Block III variant is going to be the most deadly fighter in the subcontinent.
View attachment 12180

Pakistan is among the few countries which successfully launched the fourth generation fighter jet programs and completed them, Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder is an example of that. While Israel’s Lavi and India’s Tejas program got lost in the wind, Pakistan, in collaboration with China, successfully launched the most fearsome fighter jet in Pakistan arsenal. Though Pakistan might need a heavier “Air Superiority” fighter to counter India’s Su-30MKI, JF-17 has the capability to take on anything Indian Air Force throws its way.

The race for Pakistan is never over. The struggle to maintain air superiority is ever going between the arch-rivals in Subcontinent.

Pakistan’s JF-17 Block II vs F-16 C
The second installment of Pakistan’s star-fighter, JF-17 Thunder Block II was considered an equal to F-16 in its capabilities of aerial warfare and weapon carrying capacity. The modern version of the American fighter, F-16 C enjoyed several advantages at JF-17 Block-II but those came at a hefty price. F-16 C maintenance cost is too high and it has a considerably low sortie rate.

Even then Pakistani fighter enjoyed several other advantages at US’ top jet. JF-17 Block II’s operational altitude is quite higher and far superior ship busting capabilities due to the munitions it carries. The fearsome C-802 anti-ship cruise missile is loaded in the JF-17. Moreover, there are approximately 65 F-16’s in Pakistan Air Force’s service, of which only 18 are the modern F-16 C while all the other are the old F-16 A variants.


Before JF-17 Block II was inducted in PAF, F-16 C formed what was Pakistan’s small elite unit of PAF because of the fact that the A variants of F-16 in Pakistan’s service lacked modern sensors, avionics, electronic warfare systems and a superior air to air fighting capability. F-16 C was the most advanced fighter PAF flew, exceeding greatly the fighting capabilities of F-16 A and by quite a smaller margin, those of JF-17 Block II.

JF-17 Block III
In comes the JF-17 Block III and changed the way the world looked at Pakistan’s Air Force capabilities. Superior in every way to the most advanced fighter currently in Pakistan’s service, F-16 C, Block III variant of JF-17 Thunder boasts some significant improvements.

Engine
The Block III version of the JF-17 is slated to receive the RD-93MA or Chinese WS-13 engine, while its previous version had a Chinese license-built Klimov RD-93MA turbofan engine.

Speed
JF-17 Block III variant can exceed the speed of Mach 2, almost 2470 km/h.

Avionics
The JF-17 Block 3’s avionics are nothing less than a state of the art. JF-17 Block III will have a helmet-mounted display (HMD) and possibly an internal infrared search and tracking (IRST) system. The plane boasts a full glass cockpit and a new single panel multifunctional display.

Radar
Pakistan negotiated with British and Italian defense firms regarding avionics and radars for the JF-17 development. Radar options include the Italian Galileo Avionica’s Grifo S7 the French Thomson-CSF’s RC400 (a variant of the RDY-2), and the British company SELEX Galileo’s Vixen 500E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

Fifty JF-17s were to be upgraded and an optional fifty from 2013 onwards, at a cost of up to US$1.36 billion. The RC-400 radar, MICA AAMs, and several air-to-surface weapons are believed to be in the contract. The PAF also held talks with South Africa for the supply of Denel A-darter AAMs.

Beyond Visual Range Capabilities
The most significant changes in JF-17 Block III are to its beyond visual range combat capabilities. Advantages of integrating an AESA radar not only allows the JF-17 Block 3 to detect targets at far longer ranges, and to track and lock onto more targets simultaneously, but its is also less prone to jamming and leaves a far lower radar signature – meaning it is both more reliable and makes the fighter more difficult to detect.

Alongside state of the art Chinese electronic warfare systems, and what appears to be a radar cross-section reducing profile, a combination of modern avionics, and AESA radar and PL-15 missiles will make the JF-17 Block 3 an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat considerably more capable than any fighter currently in Pakistani service including the F-16 C.

Pakistani Project Azm
While JF-17 Block III variant, upon its induction, in 2022 will most likely take up the mantle of Pakistan’s most elite fighter jet, Pakistan has entered the race of making the 5th generation jets currently only being produced by the US, Russia, and China.

Entering the race alone is an admirable feat for Pakistan, a country running on a $280 billion. Pakistan’s ambitious and visionary Project Azm includes the design and development of multiple innovative aviation projects, including the development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and other projects.

Sir some points in this article require explanation.

1. F-16 C's as the most elite fighters in its arsenal ( PAF F16 apart from Jordan ADF jets are already up graded with MLU in Turkey they are explained to be almost equal to C version. Only exception is not having CFTs)
2.JF-17 Block II’s operational altitude is quite higher the service ceiling of F16 is mentioned as above 59000 feet meanwhile that of JF17 so far is 55,499 ft .
3. RD93MA installation is still not reported as PAF officials have shown content on existing engines off course some upgrade/ tweaking is understandable.

If some one can explain and compare F16 C with JF17 block 3 reported data it shall be highly appreciable.
 

TomCat

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JF-17 Block III vs F-16 Fighting Falcon C: A Race JF-17 Thunder won by a Mile
Pakistan Air Force for long had been using F-16 C's as the most elite fighters in its arsenal, but no more. The advent of JF-17 Block III with its deadly weapons capability and futuristic tech took Pakistan to the top. Block III variant is going to be the most deadly fighter in the subcontinent.
View attachment 12180

Pakistan is among the few countries which successfully launched the fourth generation fighter jet programs and completed them, Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder is an example of that. While Israel’s Lavi and India’s Tejas program got lost in the wind, Pakistan, in collaboration with China, successfully launched the most fearsome fighter jet in Pakistan arsenal. Though Pakistan might need a heavier “Air Superiority” fighter to counter India’s Su-30MKI, JF-17 has the capability to take on anything Indian Air Force throws its way.

The race for Pakistan is never over. The struggle to maintain air superiority is ever going between the arch-rivals in Subcontinent.

Pakistan’s JF-17 Block II vs F-16 C
The second installment of Pakistan’s star-fighter, JF-17 Thunder Block II was considered an equal to F-16 in its capabilities of aerial warfare and weapon carrying capacity. The modern version of the American fighter, F-16 C enjoyed several advantages at JF-17 Block-II but those came at a hefty price. F-16 C maintenance cost is too high and it has a considerably low sortie rate.

Even then Pakistani fighter enjoyed several other advantages at US’ top jet. JF-17 Block II’s operational altitude is quite higher and far superior ship busting capabilities due to the munitions it carries. The fearsome C-802 anti-ship cruise missile is loaded in the JF-17. Moreover, there are approximately 65 F-16’s in Pakistan Air Force’s service, of which only 18 are the modern F-16 C while all the other are the old F-16 A variants.


Before JF-17 Block II was inducted in PAF, F-16 C formed what was Pakistan’s small elite unit of PAF because of the fact that the A variants of F-16 in Pakistan’s service lacked modern sensors, avionics, electronic warfare systems and a superior air to air fighting capability. F-16 C was the most advanced fighter PAF flew, exceeding greatly the fighting capabilities of F-16 A and by quite a smaller margin, those of JF-17 Block II.

JF-17 Block III
In comes the JF-17 Block III and changed the way the world looked at Pakistan’s Air Force capabilities. Superior in every way to the most advanced fighter currently in Pakistan’s service, F-16 C, Block III variant of JF-17 Thunder boasts some significant improvements.

Engine
The Block III version of the JF-17 is slated to receive the RD-93MA or Chinese WS-13 engine, while its previous version had a Chinese license-built Klimov RD-93MA turbofan engine.

Speed
JF-17 Block III variant can exceed the speed of Mach 2, almost 2470 km/h.

Avionics
The JF-17 Block 3’s avionics are nothing less than a state of the art. JF-17 Block III will have a helmet-mounted display (HMD) and possibly an internal infrared search and tracking (IRST) system. The plane boasts a full glass cockpit and a new single panel multifunctional display.

Radar
Pakistan negotiated with British and Italian defense firms regarding avionics and radars for the JF-17 development. Radar options include the Italian Galileo Avionica’s Grifo S7 the French Thomson-CSF’s RC400 (a variant of the RDY-2), and the British company SELEX Galileo’s Vixen 500E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

Fifty JF-17s were to be upgraded and an optional fifty from 2013 onwards, at a cost of up to US$1.36 billion. The RC-400 radar, MICA AAMs, and several air-to-surface weapons are believed to be in the contract. The PAF also held talks with South Africa for the supply of Denel A-darter AAMs.

Beyond Visual Range Capabilities
The most significant changes in JF-17 Block III are to its beyond visual range combat capabilities. Advantages of integrating an AESA radar not only allows the JF-17 Block 3 to detect targets at far longer ranges, and to track and lock onto more targets simultaneously, but its is also less prone to jamming and leaves a far lower radar signature – meaning it is both more reliable and makes the fighter more difficult to detect.

Alongside state of the art Chinese electronic warfare systems, and what appears to be a radar cross-section reducing profile, a combination of modern avionics, and AESA radar and PL-15 missiles will make the JF-17 Block 3 an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat considerably more capable than any fighter currently in Pakistani service including the F-16 C.

Pakistani Project Azm
While JF-17 Block III variant, upon its induction, in 2022 will most likely take up the mantle of Pakistan’s most elite fighter jet, Pakistan has entered the race of making the 5th generation jets currently only being produced by the US, Russia, and China.

Entering the race alone is an admirable feat for Pakistan, a country running on a $280 billion. Pakistan’s ambitious and visionary Project Azm includes the design and development of multiple innovative aviation projects, including the development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and other projects.
Source of the article please ? Everything is wrong in this article @AliYusuf @Signalian
 

BATMAN

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They really want to export some of them

Why not, still jF-17 has tight competition in so called open world. Where they are trying to enter the market.
If you are getting this impression by reading the OP article than it's just part of a much bigger story.
Simply by comparing the operational cost, jF-17 is winner by far.
 
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BATMAN

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Sir some points in this article require explanation.

1. F-16 C's as the most elite fighters in its arsenal ( PAF F16 apart from Jordan ADF jets are already up graded with MLU in Turkey they are explained to be almost equal to C version. Only exception is not having CFTs)
2.JF-17 Block II’s operational altitude is quite higher the service ceiling of F16 is mentioned as above 59000 feet meanwhile that of JF17 so far is 55,499 ft .
3. RD93MA installation is still not reported as PAF officials have shown content on existing engines off course some upgrade/ tweaking is understandable.

If some one can explain and compare F16 C with JF17 block 3 reported data it shall be highly appreciable.

RCS and TWR of jF-17, as well in favor of jF-17, and these are some serious parameters in modern warfare.
 

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TomCat

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I would be happy to read some correction. My info is poor when it comes to the new block.
As expected, it is some “non-defense” website with a focus on various subjects.

Some mistakes :

Engine : Still RD-93MK, no chance for MA yet, no official word. As for WS-13, that is a ready option, plug and play, but it all comes down to customer’s requirement. JF-17 has been flown multiple times with that engine in the past.

Single Panel MFD : No, not yet, even in Block 3

Speed : Mach 2 isn’t confirmed, probably yes or no, this is a mystery still.

HMD : Could be true i guess. Time will tell, China has multiple projects in this regard, HMD is already equipped on J-20 and J-10.

A-Darter : Not confirmed. Not unless HMD is in use. Then only we will know for sure what is the choice for HOBS missile, could be PL-10E or A-Darter

Radar : KLJ7A air cooled is selected. The article is stating about some deals that were being considered in the very early phase of this project, maybe around 2002-2003, i read about this on another forum (MICA and French Radar).

And lastly, Block 3 thunder will leave F-16C far behind and will be on par on many aspects with F-16E of UAEAF, below in terms of engine and MTOW while Better than F-16E in terms of BVR capabilities and Jamming
 

space cadet

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As expected, it is some “non-defense” website with a focus on various subjects.

Some mistakes :

Engine : Still RD-93MK, no chance for MA yet, no official word. As for WS-13, that is a ready option, plug and play, but it all comes down to customer’s requirement. JF-17 has been flown multiple times with that engine in the past.

Single Panel MFD : No, not yet, even in Block 3

Speed : Mach 2 isn’t confirmed, probably yes or no, this is a mystery still.

HMD : Could be true i guess. Time will tell, China has multiple projects in this regard, HMD is already equipped on J-20 and J-10.

A-Darter : Not confirmed. Not unless HMD is in use. Then only we will know for sure what is the choice for HOBS missile, could be PL-10E or A-Darter

Radar : KLJ7A air cooled is selected. The article is stating about some deals that were being considered in the very early phase of this project, maybe around 2002-2003, i read about this on another forum (MICA and French Radar).

And lastly, Block 3 thunder will leave F-16C far behind and will be on par on many aspects with F-16E of UAEAF, below in terms of engine and MTOW while Better than F-16E in terms of BVR capabilities and Jamming
That maybe true, but it is unproven. I want to see sales, if it is that good we will see sales. Countries will be lining up for it.
 

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They really want to export some of them
The day they wake up and realize you dont only buy mil H/w but political clout as well, they will change their strategy.
 

Falcon29

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I don't see Pakistani AF adopting this platform/jet if it is not up to the tasks. Pakistani AF is professional and experienced and I do believe that this is a capable jet that meets their needs. Pakistan also reached a deal with the US in upgrading their current F16 fleet.
 

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