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