In addition to the standard infrared sensor placed on the nose of the fuselage in front of the cockpit canopy, Thunder received a container-type optical-electronic complex WMD-7 "ASELPOD", developed by the Turkish company Aselsan. This multifunctional complex is an analogue of the American "Sniper ATP" (ATP, Advanced Targeting Pod), which has long been present in the weapons system of Pakistani F-16C Block 52. WMD-7 "ASELPOD" is a multifunctional product capable of operating both on sea / land and on air targets in TV and IR channels of sight. The container with high-resolution television and thermal imaging sensors, as well as with a laser rangefinder-target designator, has a mass of 235 kg and a length of 2.35 m. The computing facilities of the complex can simultaneously track 8 targets at a distance of up to 50 km, at such a distance large targets of the "missile boat ". At a range of 25, it may be possible to use laser targeting for bombs and missiles with semi-active laser homing heads. Units such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers can be detected from a distance of 15-17 km.
On the JF-17 Block II / III modification, developed conformal fuel tanks can be installed, increasing the combat range to 1600-1700 km, due to which the tactical potential of the vehicles is practically equal to the Rafal or Su-30MKI. At the same time, the maximum payload weight reaches only 3630 kg, which significantly limits the shock capabilities of the JF-17, leaving them at the level of the Taiwanese light fighters F-CK-1A / B Jingguo. The appearance of a helmet-mounted target designation system (NSC), an airborne radar with an AFAR and an infrared sensor, as well as the use of radio-absorbing materials in the airframe, brings the JF-17 Block III generation to a full-fledged generation "4+", but due to the use of RD-93 engines (WS-13) the vehicle does not reach the 4 ++ generation due to its low thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.9 kgf / kg.
A fundamentally new approach can be embodied in the hardware of the new stealth version of the JF-17 Block III, which fans of most Pakistani military-analytical forums have been dreaming about for a long time, and which Indian defense structures and well-read members of the forum are afraid of like fire. Technological sketches of a promising concept of the 5th generation JF-17X appeared on the network 3 years before the Block II machines entered the Pakistan Air Force. Before us is a fighter with airframe design features typical of the American stealth F-35A. It is made according to the traditional "midwing" scheme with a trapezoidal wing (area of about 42 m2) and large aerodynamic influxes at the root of the wing, which gives the car an increase in maneuverability in comparison with the F-35A (the latter has no influxes). The air intakes of the vehicle have a "month-like" shape without pronounced points and corners along the leading edge, which does not favor the reduction of radar signature.
The cockpit canopy is high and has a pronounced triangular shape, which is inherent in all 5th generation fighters. The nose of the fuselage is flattened in cross-section, slightly ogival, which is also typical for promising stealth fighters. The vertical tail is represented by 2 large stabilizers with a large sweep (about 40º) and a camber angle of 40-45º, which is typical of the F / A-18E / F "Super Hornet" / "Advanced Super Hornet" gliders and all modifications of the F-35. This design feature contributes to the scattering of enemy radar radiation, reducing the degree of its reflection. Small deflectable rear segments of vertical stabilizers are used as rudders. The horizontal tail unit (elevators) is represented by 5-sided planes that are standard for stealth aircraft, which successfully "dump" the electromagnetic waves of enemy radar systems like vertical stabilizers. Considering that not all structural elements of the airframe are distinguished by an inconspicuous radar appearance, the JF-17X will have an effective scattering surface within 0.5 - 0.7 m2 without weapons on the suspensions, which is about 3 times higher than that of the F-35A. More than 40% of the reduced ESR will be achieved not due to the shape of structural elements, but due to the use of radio-absorbing materials and coatings.
The most problematic design feature of the JF-17X may be the principle of placement of missile and bomb weapons. Based on the sketches given on the Asian Internet, we can talk about the absence of internal weapons bays on the inconspicuous modification "Thunder". As the underwing suspension points, of which there are 6 units on the fighter, ordinary heavy pylons are used, each of which can be safely positioned as "+ 0.01 m2" to the total RCS. Each "open" type PL-12 / 21D air-handling unit is approximately "+ 0.05 - 0.07 m2" to the EPR. As for the ventral suspension points, there can be from one to three of them on the new version. Each of them is semi-sunk into the fuselage (a similar design for the placement of the R-37 airborne missile system is used on the MiG-31BM). Thus, only 55% of the projection of missiles will be open to irradiating enemy radar systems, but in total this will give up to 80-95% of open ammunition, bringing the total RCS to 1 m2. The fighter is clearly not up to the 5th generation! A similar situation is observed today with the ambitious Chinese "stealth" project JH-7B, where they want to turn the JH-7A multipurpose tactical fighter into a 5th generation aircraft.
A way out of this situation may well be equipping the JF-17X with "stealth" containers of the "Enclosed Weapons Pod" type. One vehicle can carry a similar container on the central ventral suspension point, designed to accommodate 4 PL-12 / 21D-type air combat missiles, 1 YJ-91 anti-ship missiles or 6 small-sized guided aerial bombs. The EWP type container has a multifaceted body shape, forming an EPR within the range of 0.02-0.05 m2. For the exit of missile and bomb weapons, a large double-leaf hatch at the bottom of the container is used. Today, EWP containers are being tested in ground anechoic chambers, as well as on board the experienced 5th generation tactical fighters J-20, and will soon be adopted by the Chinese Air Force. Similar containers are used on the most modern variants of the American F / A-18E / F - "Advanced Super Hornet". When using the EWP, the JF-17X will be able to win long-range aerial combat against Rafal, Tejas, and in some cases even against the Su-30MKI. In close combat, the JF-17X will continue to yield to the Su-30MKI, Rafals and Mirages, since no information has been received about the installation of a new type of turbojet engine.
Since almost every modern tactical aviation unit of the “4 ++” generation has an optical-electronic sighting system on board operating in the infrared sighting channel, it is worth entering into the survey an assessment of the level of the fighter's infrared signature. The JF-17X is doing more than well in this regard, as is the F-35A / B / C. Only the engine nozzle is exposed to strong heating from the combustion products. The engine itself is located in a nacelle of a much larger diameter than the engine body. Due to this, several layers of heat-absorbing materials can be laid between the TRDDF body and the inner generatrix of the engine nacelle. In IR photographs taken with amateur infrared cameras, it is clearly visible that the thermal signature of the F-35A is almost at the same level as that of the F-22A: the rear fuselage is completely "cold". This infrared visibility will be typical for the JF-17X.
There is another rather interesting concept of the JF-17X, which was recently presented on Chinese and Pakistani resources. The technical sketches show a similar single-engine fighter with a mid-trapezoidal wing. Unlike the previous version, there is a much greater similarity with the 5th generation machines. The air intakes have an angular trapezoidal cross-section with beveled back and inward side and top edges (like the F-35A). The nose of the fuselage has a pentagonal cross-section with a developed bottom edge (like the J-31). This sample does not have pylons for hanging PL-10E melee missiles on the wingtips, and the rear wingtip angle is represented by a 45-degree bevel to reduce radar signature when the aircraft is irradiated from the rear hemisphere. The same bevels are found on the vertical stabilizers. Nevertheless, there is still a shortcoming with the external placement of weapons. This modification of the JF-17X is a radical and rather expensive alteration of the Block III version, and therefore its refinement and mass production are unlikely, because very soon the full-fledged 5th generation fighter J-31 "Krechet" will enter the arms market. Here, there is a full-fledged internal weapons compartment, and there is a more reliable twin-engine power plant, and, finally, an expanded optional kit for avionics and weapons, supported by service centers for servicing from the manufacturer "Shenyang".
Today Beijing is making every effort to accurately and confidently oust Washington's "tentacles" from Pakistan, and seeks to establish comprehensive military-strategic cooperation with Islamabad as soon as possible. For this, the Celestial Empire will use a whole range of military-political and economic instruments based on a common anti-Indian strategic concept with Pakistan, because Delhi is the main "pole" of the actively developing "anti-China axis": India - Vietnam - Japan - Australia - South Korea. In view of this, the purchase of J-31 stealth fighters from the Shenyang company is not far off, and before that, the power of the Pakistani Air Force will be supported by the latest production version of the JF-17 Block III fighter, and, possibly, its first stealth concept, JF- 17X.
