Chengdu J-9

The J-9 is also known as the FC-1 or JF-17 is a third generation fighter jet being developed jointly by the People's Republic of China and Pakistan. It had its first test flight on September 3, 2003. The first prototype was built in May of that year. Pakistan and China plan to jointly manufacture 16 planes by 2006. The aircraft is being built by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corportation (CAC) and the Pakistani Aviation Integrated Company (PAIC).

note: the designation "J-9" is false as of this point (2005). J-9 was a designation assigned to a light air superiority fighter that never went past initial studies. In fact, the PLAAF has so far resisted the FC-1 due to the availability of the more capable J-10.

The aircraft is based off the design of the MiG-33 which was rejected by the Soviet Air Force. It is intended to be a light-weight all-weather multipurpose fighter. The Pakistan Air Force and the PLAAF both intend to induct 8 JF-17s by 2006. It is rumored that some in the PLAAF would rather focus on the J-10.

note: the original FC-1 concept was actually based on the Super-7, the Project 33 from MiG, not to be confused with MiG-33, an ungrade of the baseline MiG-29, has some influences on the FC-1, but by no means is the FC-1 actually based on Project 33.

The history of its development begins in the late 1980s. China had agreed with Grumman to upgrade a number of its F-7s in what was called the Super-7 Project. But in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and in light of increasing costs, the program was cancelled.

After this, China began to develop this aircraft on its own. The government of Pakistan got involved looking for a modern aircraft to add to its aging fleet. The Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group is also involved.

The project is expected to cost about half a billion dollars. Pakistan is funding at least 50% of the project, and each individual aircraft is estimated to cost about $15-20 million which makes it a good option for export.

The aircraft will have a single-seat and single engine, and have a top speed of Mach 1.6.

External links

• One of The Best Online Discussion Militry Forums about Pakistan by Pakistanidefenceforum.com
• Project Super Seven from Pakistanidefence.com
• from Chinese Defense today
• from GlobalSecurity.org