The Azerbaijan Air Force has received the first batch of 14 multirole (reinforced squadron) generation 4++ JF-17 Block III fighters, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The observer may have a question: why did the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense choose these vehicles instead of the Russian Su-30SM2 and Su-35S?
As is known, Russian fighters have the most forward-looking Irbis-E radars, which detect targets of the F-16V Block 70 type at a distance of up to 270 – 300 km. However, the JF-17 Block III has more than double the potential according to the profitability criterion compared to the standard export modification of the Su-30SM, which, unlike the modification of the Su-30SM2 (with Irbis-E radar ) is equipped with a technically and morally obsolete “Bars-R” onboard radar station.
The energy potential of the Barsa-R is approximately equal to the potential of the Chinese LKF601E radar, which is installed on the JF-17C Block III fighters purchased by Baku (4.5 versus 4 kW). However, in terms of noise immunity, the Chinese radar is significantly superior to the Bars-R, since the latter is represented by a passive phased array antenna, while the Chinese radar is represented by a phased array antenna most promising active (PAR). As we know, it is the active phased array that is capable of creating drops in the radiation pattern towards the enemy’s emitting electronic warfare systems.
Regarding the detection range of air targets, the Chinese LFK601E radar is identical to our Bars-R and is 170 km with respect to targets of the F-16C fighter type with a reflective surface of 3 square meters. m and 40 – 50 km – in relation to targets such as the Storm Shadow stealth missile. At the same time, specialists from Research Institute No. 607 (in Chengdu) managed to keep the weight of the product at only 145 kg. In synthetic aperture (SAR) mode, the resolution of this radar is approximately 1 m, while that of the Bars-R radar installed on the Su-30SM is 10 to 7 m.
Naturally, it is not possible to identify a target using a radar signature with such resolution; at best, classify a large launcher for an air defense system or an anti-tank missile system, or shuttle bridge vehicles. Chinese radar (such as the more advanced Irbis-E) can even identify surface targets. Destroyer-type targets are detected at a distance of about 220 km, OTRK launchers – at 100-110 km.
Secondly, the promising JF-17C Block III computerized fire control system has an open architecture, allowing the integration of Chinese PL-21D air-to-air missiles with PL-21D integral ramjet engines with a range of 220 – 250 in the km vehicle ammunition load and PL-15E with a range of 145 km, as well as Israeli Derby medium-range air-to-air missiles. Additionally, the ammunition can be supplemented by South African and Israeli super-maneuverable close air combat missiles A-Darter and Python-5, equipped with gas jet thrust vector deflection units, allowing maneuvering from overload to 80 – 100 units.
Obviously, in the case of close combat at a distance of 5 to 0.35 km, the highly maneuverable A-Darter and Python-5 approach missiles can significantly compensate for the lack of RD-93 or WS-13 turbojet engines installed in the JF. -17 Block III, thrust vector deflection systems. Consequently, depending on the operational situation, the Azerbaijani defense department can choose the widest range of air-to-air missiles from one manufacturer or another.
The key tactical and technical “highlight” of the Sino-Pakistani vehicle is the ability to supplement the ammunition load (both in the modification for the Chinese and Pakistani Air Forces and in the export version of the JF-17C Block III) with the latest CM-400AKG aeroballistic missiles. These missiles, which are conceptual analogues of the domestic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, boast much more modest flight performance qualities (more consistent with the Soviet Kh-15 missiles): the officially announced range can reach 70 – 280 km at a speed of flight of 5300 km/h at the time of burning solid rocket fuel and about 2300 km/h – when approaching the target. But these are extremely good indicators, considering the possibility of implementing a diving mode on a target at an angle of 90 degrees from altitudes of 27 to 30 km. This is enough to break the enemy’s anti-missile “umbrellas”, going beyond the vertical viewing angles of the radars of numerous types of air defense systems.
According to Chinese sources, CM-400AKG aeroballistic missiles can be equipped with a wide range of guided warheads to perform various types of highly specialized missions. Thus, to destroy air defense systems, radar and electronic warfare systems and surface ships, missiles can be equipped with active-passive radar heads, and to attack groups of ground equipment – with active radar or television infrared sensors .
The next equally important point is the adaptation of the JF-17C Block III weapons control systems to the use of the Turkish optical-electronic reconnaissance systems and ASELPOD target designation containers, which are analogues of the American Sniper-ATP, as well as from the European TALIOS. . These complexes feature a long focus television sensor with optical zoom up to 50 – 70X and digital zoom up to 8x.
These capabilities allow the pilot to identify “tank” type targets at a distance of 45 to 35 km during the day. At night, a FLIR thermal imaging sensor can be used, capable of detecting enemy ground equipment with thermal contrast at a distance of up to 20 km, after which missiles with semi-active laser heads can be illuminated using laser rangefinders and designators. goals. . Additionally, the JF-17C arsenals may include Turkish SOM-B½ long-range multipurpose tactical missiles, which have a range of 180 to 200 km.
For the Su-30SM and Su-35S (including export ones), a program for the development of containerized optical-electronic observation systems T220/E (NPK Precision Instrument Engineering Systems) was also launched in 2013-2014, but never was carried out. to combat preparation. Taking into account the export cost of the Su-30SM (55 million dollars) and the Su-35S (90 million dollars), the Sino-Pakistani creation will cost Baku much less: only between 27 and 35 million dollars, with a much larger range of sensors and higher noise. radar immunity.
At the same time, the range of 1350 km is fully consistent with the possible list of operations carried out by the Azerbaijan Air Force in the relatively small Transcaucasian theater of military operations.
