The JF-17 Thunder is a single-engine, supersonic, multi-role fighter jet produced jointly by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The aircraft was developed to replace a group of Pakistan’s specialized military aircraft with a single platform that could perform a variety of roles. The JF-17 Thunder can undertake missions including interdiction, air superiority, strike, close air support, surface attack, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) data collections. The jet uses a powerful AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, a robust and efficient engine, optimized avionics, and it can carry a wide array of weapons. It took its maiden flight on August 25, 2003, and was introduced into service on March 12, 2007. It is used primarily by the Pakistan Air Force.
The jet is armed with a 23mm twin-barrel autocannon and has eight hardpoints able to carry a wide variety of stores, including external fuel tanks, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, guided and unguided bombs, and rocket pods.
The JF-17 Thunder measures 47 feet in length, stands 15 feet, 7 inches tall, and has a wingspan of 31 feet. It is powered by a single afterburning turbofan engine that produces up to 11,100 pounds of thrust in military power and up to 19,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner. The jet has a range of 2,163 miles, a service ceiling of 55,500 feet above sea level, and a maximum speed of 886 miles per hour.
