» » » » » JF-17 Thunder Gets Long Range Teeth: SD-10A BVRAAM

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Meanwhile a new picture of JF-17 thunder has appeared at the Chinese Military website showing JF-17 thunder carrying four air to air missiles. Even though picture is not clear enough, one can easily see that it is carrying two within visual range missile (SRAAM) and two larger missiles which are appears to be SD-10A (BVRAAM) beyond the visual range missiles.

Plaaf Fc1 Fierce Dragon (Pakistani Jf17 Thunder) Fighter 1-48 Trumpeter
Pakistan Air Force had confirmed last year that it is going to acquire SD-10A beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) to equip its JF-17 fighter jets. SD-10A BVRAAM were also displayed alongside two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighters at the Farnborough Air Show last year. Model of JF-17 Thunder was displayed at the Farnborough Air Show 2010 with six air-to-air missiles incorporated in its wings four of which were SD-10A BVRAAMs.

SD-10A is an active-radar guided BVRAAM which is already operational with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). So far Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-8F, Shenyang J-11 have been seen using this BVRAAMs and missile will be integrated with the JF-17 Thunder by the end of 2010.

S-10A BVRAAM is 3934 mm long and weights 199 kg. SD-10A has a range of greater than 70 km. Its performance is comparable the USAAF’s AIM-120A AMRAAM and Russian R-77 which is sometimes also called AA-12 Adder.

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  1. UnknownApril 21, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    AFAIK, PAF is interested in SD-10B for JFT not SD-10A. SD-10A is for export.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MjaawadApril 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Jane's Defence Weekly reported that SD-10's manufacturer, the Luoyang Electro-Optical Technology Development Center (LOEC) has said that SD-10 has a dual-mode seeker which allows the SD-10 Active radar terminal homing as well as passive radar terminal homing capability. Further information indicated that a refined SD-10A has been cleared for service on the J-10 and J-8 aircrafts and Pakistan Air Force is expected to purchase it for its JF-17 Thunder aircrafts.

    Now few people at different forums started referring to the refined SD-10A as SD-10B (just to easily identify the improved SD-10). Manufacture Luoyang Electro-Optical Technology Development Center (LOEC), PLAAF & PAF officials has never used the term SD-10B.

    Another example can be given of the of the AIM-120C which were first delivered in 1996, later on an improved version called AIM-120C-4 was delivered in 1999 and further improved version AIM-120C-5 (Also purchased by the PAF) were delivered in July 2000 and then production shifted to the AIM-120C-6, AIM-120C-7 before moving to the AIM-120D designation.

    So unless PAF or manufacture (PLAAF uses term PL-12) uses the term SD-10B it will remain a fan boy’s term.

    Thank You for your comment

    I Hope that you will continue the positive input in future too.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete

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