Mercedes Mullins
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon is a Chinese medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It was first reported in 1994, and its existence was confirmed in 1998. The J-10 entered service in 2004 as the J-10A, a single-engine, multirole fighter with a canard-delta wing configuration. The aircraft carries a maximum of 4,950 litres of fuel internally, comprising 3,180 litres in the wing tanks and 1,770 litres in the fuselage tanks. The upgraded version of the J-10, the J-10B, made its public debut in 2016 and features aerial refuelling capability. The J-10C, the latest variant of the J-10, has been reported to have consistently prevailed in simulated combat engagements against Su-35 fighters acquired from Russia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4950 L (3860 kg) internal. 4000 L (3120 kg) external with 3 drop tanks (2 × 1600L + 1 × 800L) |
| Powerplant | 1 × WS-10B afterburning turbofan engine, 89.17 kN (20,050 lbf) thrust, 135 kN - 144 kN with aft |
| Engine | WS-10B turbofan (Chinese-made), approximately 31,000 lbs of thrust with afterburner; earlier models used Russian AL-31FN engines |
| Speed | Mach 1.8 (approx. 2,200 km/h at altitude) |
| Range | Combat radius around 550-1,000 km (depending on loadout and fuel tanks); ferry range up to 3,200 km |
| Radar | Indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, estimated detection range of 100-150 km for fighter-sized targets |
| Armament | 11 hardpoints, capable of carrying up to 5,600 kg of missiles and bombs, drop-tanks containing fuel, or other equipment such as avionics pods |
| Ordnance | Short-range air-to-air missiles such as the PL-8 and PL-10 (on J-10C), medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles such as the PL-12 and PL-15 (on J-10C), unguided and precision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs, air-to-surface missiles such as KD-88, anti-ship missiles |
| Design | Medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft using a delta wing and canard design |
| Manufacturer | Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The J-10C can carry 4,950 litres of fuel internally
The J-10C, an upgraded version of the J-10B, is a medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It is China's answer to Western light fighters such as the American F-16 and Sweden's Saab Gripen. The J-10C can carry 4,950 litres of fuel internally, comprising 3,180 litres in the wing tanks and 1,770 litres in the fuselage tanks. It also has a maximum external capacity of 4,000 litres with three drop tanks (2 x 1600L + 1 x 800L).
The J-10C is equipped with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) fire-control radar and an imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10. It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and entered service in 2004 as the J-10A. The J-10C is armed with various air-to-air and surface-attack weapons, including short-range air-to-air missiles such as the PL-8 and PL-10, medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles such as the PL-12 and PL-15, and unguided and precision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs.
The J-10C has been reported to have consistently prevailed in simulated combat engagements against Su-35 fighters acquired from Russia, with its reduced radar visibility allowing it to detect and fire on its target first. Its lower radar signature and significantly more advanced sensors and weaponry for both visual and beyond-visual range engagements are cited as leading advantages. The J-10C's combat radius is around 550-1,000 km, depending on loadout and fuel tanks, with a ferry range of up to 3,200 km.
The J-10C has been purchased by Pakistan, with an initial order of 25 aircraft in 2020, followed by an additional order of 11 aircraft the following year. China is now eyeing the Middle Eastern market, potentially selling the aircraft to nations like Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia.
High-Octane Fuel: Does It Boost Performance?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The J-10C has been used in combat by Pakistan
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon is a Chinese medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It was designed for air-to-air combat but can also perform strike missions. The J-10C is an upgraded version of the J-10B, with improved radar, imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10, a WS-10B engine, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
The use of the J-10C in this conflict provided military analysts with valuable insights into the plane's capabilities. The apparent success of the J-10C against the Rafales also boosts China's reputation as a manufacturer and seller of weapons, with China being Pakistan's biggest military weapons supplier. The successful deployment of the J-10C in combat may pose a challenge to Western defence manufacturers, as it could be a commercially viable alternative to Western products.
The End of Fossil Fuels: When Will It Happen?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The J-10C is China's answer to Western light fighters
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon, also known as the Firebird, is a Chinese medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It is produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) of China. It is also exported to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The J-10 is mainly designed for air-to-air combat but can also perform strike missions.
The J-10C is an upgraded version of the J-10B, equipped with an indigenous AESA fire-control radar and imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10, WS-10B engine, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles. It has been reported to have consistently prevailed in simulated combat engagements against Su-35 fighters acquired from Russia. The J-10C's reduced radar visibility allows it to detect and fire on its target first, giving it a significant advantage.
The J-10C has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of around 550-1000 km, depending on loadout and fuel tanks. It can carry a mix of precision-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and medium-range air-to-air weapons. The aircraft's internal fuel capacity is 4950 L (3860 kg), with an additional 4000 L (3120 kg) external fuel capacity with 3 drop tanks.
Exploring Fuel Requirements for Leaving Earth's Atmosphere
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The J-10C has 11 external hardpoints for weaponry
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon is a Chinese medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It was designed for air-to-air combat but can also perform strike missions. The J-10C is an upgraded version of the J-10B, with improved radar and imaging capabilities, as well as a more powerful engine.
- Air-to-air missiles: Chinese-made Python PL-8, P-11 or PL-12, or Russian Vympel R-73 or R-77.
- Anti-ship missiles.
- Air-to-surface missiles.
- Laser-guided bombs.
The J-10C has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a range of 1,850 km. It has consistently prevailed in simulated combat engagements against Su-35 fighters, with its reduced radar visibility and advanced sensors providing significant advantages.
The J-10C has been exported to several countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt, and has been reported to outperform the F-16.
UK's Fossil Fuel Energy Sources: How Much and Why?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The J-10C is not China's most advanced fighter jet
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon is a Chinese medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft. It is mainly designed for air-to-air combat but can also perform strike missions. The J-10 entered service in 2004 as the J-10A, with the upgraded J-10B released in 2008. The J-10C, which began production around 2015, is an upgraded version of the J-10B. It is equipped with an indigenous AESA fire-control radar and imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10, WS-10B engine, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
The J-10C has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of around 550-1,000 km, depending on loadout and fuel tanks. Its radar has an estimated detection range of 100-150 km for fighter-sized targets. The J-10C has 11 hardpoints, capable of carrying up to 5,600 kg of missiles, bombs, drop tanks containing fuel, or other equipment. Its PL-15 missiles have a range of 200-300 km (domestic) and 145 km (export), outclassing the AIM-120D.
The J-10C is an upgraded version of the original J-10, which entered service in 2004 as the J-10A. The J-10 has been relentlessly upgraded since its debut in the 2000s and is Beijing's answer to Western light fighters such as the American F-16 and Sweden's Saab Gripen. The J-10C is a key component of China's airpower strategy and has been used in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
Weight of 1000 Gallons of Fuel: How Heavy?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The J-10 fighter jet can carry a maximum of 4,950 litres of fuel internally.
The J-10 has 11 external hardpoints to which 4,000 litres of fuel can be attached using 3 drop tanks (2 x 1600L + 1 x 800L).
The J-10 has a total fuel capacity of 7,950 litres when both internal and external fuel tanks are used.
