Friday, May 20, 2011

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Guardia Civil Spain. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Ecuadorian Naval Aviation. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Mexican Navy. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Irish Air Corps. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Irish Air Corps. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA Colombian Army. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA. (Photo: Airbus Military)

CN-235 MPA

CN-235 MPA. (Photo: Airbus Military)

JF-17 Thunder

JF-17 Thunder, designated in China as Chengdu FC-1 Xiaolong (枭龙, or Fierce Dragon), jet fighter is a new generation multi-role light fighter made under a joint-venture between China Industry Corporation and the Pakistan Air Force. This jet fighter is equipped with state-of-art integrated avionics and weapon systems to perform different combat missions. This photo was taken on 19 November 2010 at the 8th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition held at Zhuhai Sanzao Airport. (Photo: TMA_0)

JF-17 Thunder

JF-17 Pakistan Air Force in Farnborough 20.7.10. (Photo:ChrisChen76)

JF-17 Thunder

JF-17 on static display at Farnborough Air Show 2010. (Royce3333)

JF-17 Thunder

JF-17 Thunder. (Photo: Andy)

JF-17 Thunder

The JF-17 was developed primarily to meet the requirements of the Pakistan Air Force for a low-cost, medium-technology, multi-role combat aircraft as a cost-effective replacement for its ageing mixed fleet of Nanchang A-5, Chengdu F-7P/PG and Dassault Mirage III/V fighters and also have export potential to air forces of other developing countries as a cost-effective alternative to hi-tech but expensive Western fighters.

Pakistan and China signed the Letter of Intent for the joint development of the JF-17 (then called "Super-7") in 1998, followed by the signing of the Contract in 1999. The project got delayed due to the inability to find an avionics and radar package. In 2001, the Pakistan Air Force recommended that the airframe design be de-coupled from the avionics and radar systems for the aircraft to avoid further delay. This resulted in a fresh impetus to the project and the design was finalized and 'frozen' in 2001. The maiden test flight of the first prototype took place during 2003 in China, later test flights with a modified design with Diverterless Supersonic Intakes (DSI), and a modified tail design took place in 2006. Deliveries to the Pakistan Air Force for further flight testing and evaluation began in 2007, the aircraft's first aerial display also taking place that year in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron on 18th February 2010.

The JF-17 is expected to cost approximately US$15 million per unit. The Pakistan Air Force has announced that it has a confirmed order for 150 JF-17s, which may increase to 250 aircraft. The JF-17 will replace Pakistan's MiG-21-derived Chengdu F-7, Nanchang A-5 and Dassault Mirage III/Mirage V aircraft currently in service. Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe and eight other countries have expressed interest in purchasing the JF-17 at a recent military exhibition in Pakistan, according to an official. (Photo: Graham Detonator)