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CHINA'S

EMERGES

China is lifting its veil of secrecy on


the elusive Chengdu J-10 fighter, which
may become China's first successful
fourth generation fighter. Richard D
Fisher, Jr offers new insights.
HE JIAN-10 or J-10's origins can be
T traced
back to a programme initiated by
the Chengdu Aircraft Go's competitor, the
Shenyang Aircraft Co, in the form of the J-9
canard fighter proposal. Shenyang's desire to
focus on what became the J-8 fighter forced
the J-9 to be shifted to Chengdu in 1969,
eventually producing a proposal for a 13 ton,
Mach 2.5 canard fighter bearing a resemblance
to Saab's JA-37 Viggen. This reflected a
preference for a pre fly-by-wire design, one
which included canards to provide a better
S h o r t Take O f f and Landing (STOL)
performance, while the efficient delta wing
provided better manoeuvrability. However, the
J-9 never advanced beyond wind tunnel
testing and by the end of the 1970s the
programme had ended because of lack of
funding, an inability to surmount technical
problems, and Chengdu's decision to
concentrate on new versions of the J-7 (MiG21C Fishbed). The follow-on J-10 proposal
started in the 1980s as China's answer to
emerging fourth generation Soviet MiG and
Sukhoi fighters. The canard configuration of
the J-9 was retained, though changing strategic
requirements caused by the decision of China's
leadership to downgrade military priorities in
the 1980s, followed by the fall of the Soviet
Union, forced a prolonged development period.
Requirements also shifted from an emphasis on
air-superiority to a multi-role fighter to replace
the Shenyang J-6 (MiG-19 Farmer), the Xian 0-5
Fantan and the J-7.
Through the 1990s, the J-10 was the source
o f g r e a t s p e c u l a t i o n and i n t r i g u e , a s
Washington tried to contend with the J-10's
new ally, I s r a e l . F o l l o w i n g the R e a g a n
Administration's decision to end funding for
Israel Aircraft Industries' Lavi (Young Lion)
fighter in 1988, forcing its cancellation, Israel
promptly offered its technology to China. At
36 March 2002

Clear pictures of the secret Chengdu J-10 have never been seen in the west, this being the best so far.

least one Chinese defector in the early 1990s


supplied the US with early design data. This
led to the US release of artist's projections
showing a canard fighter with elements of the
Lavi, and the Lockheed-Martin F-16.
However, China added to the confusion by
revealing photos of two J-10 models with top
members of the Chinese Communist Party
Politburo. In 1996 a photo of a canard fighter
was released alongside Politburo member Li
Peng, a noted hard-liner. This model featured
a near copy of the Lavi's vertical stabiliser but
a very different fuselage and main wing. The
photo was alleged to have been taken in 1990,
but revealed by Taiwanese agents. In early
2000 another photo of a different J-10 model
appeared in a Hong Kong publication, with
Politburo member Li Ruihuan. This model was
also a canard fighter, but one with a different
vertical stabiliser and the double-delta wing
having a less pronounced sweep.
It is now known that the final prototype
emerged in early 1998, the first flight taking
place on March 23 that year. The J-10 has
since been known to US intelligence services
and, one assumes, to those of its allies. But

This diagram of an ejection seat being fired


from what is thought to be a J-10 cockpit was
displayed at Zhuhai 2000 by the Jianghan
Aviation Life Support Industries. KEY-ALAN WARNES

the J-10 did not emerge into public view until


the unofficial release of a grainy photo on the
Internet in January 2001. In subsequent
months several photos emerged showing J-10s
in flight and close up photos began to emerge
in January 2002 (see J-10 Emerges, March
2001, p5). This led to at least one Chinese
internet leaker of J-10 information being
arrested. Although there is speculation that
the J-10 will have an o f f i c i a l debut at the
Zhuhai Air Show in November, existing photos,
plus additional new data, allow for a fuller
analysis of the J-10.

Israel's influence
Early 2001 photos of the J-10 reveal an F-16size fighter with a canard configuration similar
to, but not the same as, the Lavi. The J-10's
outward similarity to the Lavi is evident in the
shape of the s h o u l d e r - m o u n t e d c a n a r d
surfaces, and in the proportion of wing and
the lower fuselage ventral stabilisers as well
as in the wing roots. However, the J-10 is
larger than the Lavi, and also, in contrast, has
a conventional straight-trailing edge delta
wing with no wingtip hardpoints. The J-10 has

a broader vertical stabiliser than the Lavi, and


its underslung engine intake is more square
than semi-circular as on the Lavi and the F-16.
Chinese Internet sources note that the J-10
may eventually have eleven hardpoints - five
on the fuselage and six on the wings, though
the prototypes appear to have only one
fuselage hardpoint. Other Israeli influences
cannot be seen. These are thought by the US
intelligence community to include advanced
composite materials, flight control technology,
and avionics derived from US technology on
the F-16, but sold to China by Israel. Early flyby-wire tests were conducted on a converted
J-6 with the China Test Flight Establishment
(CTFE). However, Chengdu is reported to have
had difficulty mastering the J-10's fly-by-wire
system, which is also said to have caused the
crash of one prototype. Since the early 1990s
China is also alleged to have had ample access
to Pakistan's F-16s, enabling it to build a data
base that is also likely to have aided the J-10.
Chinese sources indicate the cockpit has
three multi-function displays plus a large
holographic HUD in a manner very similar to
that of the Lavi. The J-10 is also said to
employ a helmet display system. This could be
the clunky Louyang helmet display system
shown b r i e f l y during the l a t e s t Z h u h a i
Airshow in November 2000. Or it could be, as
Taiwan sources suggest, a variant of the Israeli
Elbit helmet display. Low-level and precision
attack missions will be aided by a FLIP and
laser targeting pod, which are likely to be
attached to a forward fuselage hardpoint. A
compact Chinese targeting pod similar to the
Israeli Litening was revealed at the 1998
Zhuhai show.

the 1990s redesign of the J-10. At the 2Q01


Paris Air Show, Chinese officials revealed their
intention to purchase 300 AL-31FN engines for
the J-10.
Chinese, Russian and Israeli-derived systems
will dominate the J-10's early weapons load.
For short-range combat it will carry the PL-8, a
copy of the Israeli Python-3, the PL-9, which is
based on the same Israeli missile, and the
Russian Vympel R-73. These AAMs all have an
off-boresight capability. For medium range
combat it will carry the Chinese PL-11 and in
the future, the Vympel R-77. For a t t a c k
missions the J-10 will carry free-fall and laserguided bombs, and Chinese guided missiles
such as the C-801/802, or future derivatives.
The J-10 could also c a r r y a new Chinese
ramjet-powered attack missile revealed at the
2000 Zhuhai show, or a co-produced version
of the Russian Zvezda Kh-31P ramjet-powered
anti-radar missile.

Changing with the doctrine

Russia's contribution
The J-10's initial radar is thought to be the
Russian multi-mode Phazotron Zemchug
(Pearl) which Russian sources note is a variant
of the Zhuk-M being fitted to the J-8IIC (or J8IIH according to some sources) multi-role
fighter. Taiwanese sources note that the J-10's
radar may also be called the Phazotron Zhuk
10 PD, with a search range of 86.5 nautical
miles, and the ability to scan ten to 15 targets
and track between four and six targets. Other
reports note that Israel has offered the Elta
EL/M-2035 radar, though its selection is less
likely. It is possible that future versions of the

Various poor quality shots of the secret J-10


have been leaked to the West over the years here are a few.

J-10 may feature a new Chinese multi-mode


radar. China's inability to produce a suitable
engine - a long-standing problem - led to the
adoption of the 12,500kg (27,560lb) thrust
Saturn/Lyulka AL-31FN. This version differs
from those on the People's Liberation Army
Air Force (PLAAF) Sukhoi fighters in having
the gearbox moved to the bottom of the
engine. Incorporating this engine helped force

The prolonged development of the J-10 has


had the ironic result of allowing the fighter to
adjust to changing requirements of the PLAAF.
The J-10 evolved from an interceptor and airsuperiority a i r c r a f t directed against the
former Soviet Union into a multi-role fighter
designed to implement new doctrines of hightech and joint-forces warfare aimed at forcing
'unification' with Taiwan.
In a Taiwan operations scenario, the J-10 will
complement other PLAAF multi-role fighters,
such as the Su-30MKK, Shenyang J-8IIC and
Xian JH-7 attack fighters in performing
o f f e n s i v e s t r i k e m i s s i o n s . It w i l l a l s o
complement Su-27 and J-8II f i g h t e r s in
offensive counter-air sweep missions coordinated by Russian-made Beriev A:50E
AWACS and other support aircraft. These, in
turn, will be co-ordinated with ballistic missile,
cruise missile, information warfare and special
forces operations.
With the expected use of helmet-sighted
missiles, the J-10 will have an immediate
advantage over Taiwanese fighters which may
lack helmet sighting systems for a number of
years. Armed with the Russian R-77 selfguiding A A M or a new PRC s e l f - g u i d e d
medium-range A A M based on the A M R - 1
design revealed in 1996, the J-10 would be
comparable to current Taiwanese and US

Above: The Lyulka Saturn AL-31 is likely to power the production J-10, but with the gearbox under
the engine itself. KEY-ALAN WARNES
Left: Israel's Lavi. Although the project was aborted because the US stopped funding, Israel has
received some form of gain by allegedly assisting the Chinese J-10 with Lavi technology. Israel
was hoping to gain more J-10 contracts but China has opted for Russian subsystems, a trend
which may grow following the failure of the IAI Phalcon AWACS deal. KEY-ALAN WARNES

www.airforcesmonthiv.com 37

Left: A variant of the Phazotron Zhuk-M being


fitted to the J-8IIC, called the Zemchug
(Pearl), is believed to provide the J-10 with
its radar requirements. KEY-ALAN WARNES
Below: The very awkward-looking Louyang HMD
could be one of a couple of helmet-mounted
displays being considered for the J-10.
KEY-ALAN WARNES

foreign inputs. It is also likely that future J-10s


will incorporate radar absorbing materials, if it
does not already use radar absorbing paint
developed in China.
Then there is a potential People's Liberation
Army Navy (PLAN) reguirement for a naval
variant of the J-10 should the PLAN realise its
long-standing ambition of obtaining large
CTOL aircraft carriers. In 1997 the US Office
of Naval Intelligence speculated that a twinengine version of the J-10 could be developed
for this purpose. Such a version might use the
Klimov RD-33 engine, though a more powerful
version of the AL-31, such as the recentlyrevealed AL-41, could also be used. With either
engine solution, Chengdu could develop a
twin-seat dedicated attack variant of the J-10.
With significant foreign help, China has
finally produced a world-class fighter in the
Chengdu J-10. It can be expected to be a
challenge to Taiwan's Air Force, or to current
generation US fighters that might have to
assist Taiwan. And for the right price, China
may finally be able to offer a modern fighter
aircraft to compete with Western and
Russian models.

The J-10 may come equipped with the Russian R-73 (NATO name AA-10 Alamo.), but China would
like to integrate the R-77 beyond visual range air to air missile. This would be a good marketing ploy
aimed at those countries who are not allowed to acquire the AIM-120 AMRAAM. KEY-ALAN WARNES

fighters armed with the AIM-120 AMRAAM


AAM. With an expected 9g manoeuvring
c a p a b i l i t y , the J-10 may a l s o p r o v e as
manoeuvrable as the F-16.
It is not clear how many J-10s will eventually
enter PLAAF service. Between six and ten
prototypes are believed to have been built so
far. There is speculation that 30 could be built
by 2005, while one US estimate notes that
e v e n t u a l p r o d u c t i o n c o u l d r e a c h 500.
However, the J-10's cost and p o t e n t i a l
complications over foreign components may
inhibit the production of such large numbers.
The J-10 will also have to prove itself as
worthy as the Russian Sukhoi Su-27s and Su30MKK fighter and attack aircraft now being
acquired. In addition, the PLAAF is building a
new multi-role version of the Shenyang J-8II
fighter (perhaps because J-10 development is
not proceeding fast enough). About 100 new
multi-role versions of the Shenyang J-8II
fighter are to be built.

Foreign sales
Marketing the J-10 is likely to be
d e p e n d e n t on C h i n a ' s
success in developing a
domestic engine,
reportedly
t h e

26,730lb thrust WP-15 (Wopen) turbofan.


Even though it is less powerful than the AL-31F,
the W P - 1 5 ' s s u c c e s s w o u l d r e p r e s e n t a
considerable advance for China. One of the
first possible customers to see the J-10 was
Thailand's Air Force Commander, who in 1997
had great praise for the fighter. Pakistan is
another potential customer and it could meet
success in A f r i c a or even Latin America.
Although Iran is also a potential customer, in
exchange for its early technical help, Israel is
believed to have extracted a promise from
China not to sell the J-10 in the Middle East.
In varying degrees, the J-10 will compete
with other Chengdu products like the FC-1, J7MF and J-7MG. The J-10 will cost more, but
not n e a r l y as much as its W e s t e r n
competitors, such as the Eurofighter, Gripen,
Rafale, F-16 and F/A-18, and may perhaps be
c o m p e t i t i v e w i t h the MiG-29. C h i n a ' s
penchant for offering 'friendship prices' could
mean that more countries may have access to
this multi-role fighter. For the future, Chengdu
is said to be considering upgrade options for
the J-10. These include a thrust-vectored
engine, a prototype of which was in a photodisplay at the 2000 Zhuhai Air Show, but
failed to elicit comment from Chinese officials.
Also being considered is a phased array radar
- either a Russian model or a new Chinese
phased array radar likely to be based on

An artist's impression of the Chengdu J-10. A small number


of these aircraft are operational with the Air Force Flight
Test Centre at YanLiang. PETE WEST
38 March 2002

While the original Chinese caption for this


photograph refers only to the test flight of a
new aircraft, the date mentioned, March 23,
1998, indicates that this test pilot was, in
fact, making the first official flight of the J-10.
CHENGDU J-10
Length:
Span:
Weight:
Engine:

49ft 19/20in (14.57m)


28ft 4/5in (8.78m)
42,409 Ibs (19,227kg)
Alyuka AL-31F 27,560lb thrust or WP-15 26,730lb
thrust
Speed:
Mach2
Ceiling:
59,000ft (18,000m)
Stress:
9g
T/0 run:
1,148ft (350m)
Fuel:
internal: 3,715 gallons; wing: 2x 838 gal;
fuselage: 1x 468 gal.
Avionics: multi-mode radar (Phazotron Zemchug; Zhuk PD
10; Elta EI/M-2035); FLIR; HUD; MFD; HOTAS,
Helmet Display.
Armament: Gun: 1x 23mm
AAM:
PL-5; PL-8; PL-9; PL-11; R-73; R-77
Attack:
Bombs; Laser-guided Bombs; Kh-31P; C-801/0802;
new Chinese Ramjet-powered missiles.

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