more than 3 years ago, I posted something in this thread ...PAF's 10-115 jet stayed in CAC for quite a while as the test platform of all kinds of payload mount/firing test.
and this famous example in 1982 conflict...
this asymmetric loadout might be the normal AShW configuration for this light weight class multi-role fighters...
one C-802A missile with 2*1100L drop tanks, and with
2BVR+2WVR as self defence , the inner fuel is 2.3 tons, the total fuel would be around
4 tons.
of course the JF-17 could also carry
2 C802s with a 800L drop tank only..but obviously the combat radius would be much shorter...
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somehow ,JF-17 might be a china home-designed single engine fighter with the BEST basic range performance thanking to its normal aerodynamic configuration with good Lift-to-drag ratio
... BTW,RD-93 actually is a Low fuel consumption engine (higher by-pass ratio)--some funny comment about this so called Russian 'gas-guzzling' label here and on BR is always laughable without basic understanding.
basic range is a performance parameter used by Chinese design system. it's not the so called 'clean configuration' range without any external payload. in JF-17 case , this basic range is the tested under the configuration with full inner fuel(2.3ton) , 23mm gun ammunition, and tip pylons+ 2 PL-5IIE WVR missile....and JF-17 managed to achieve the
1800km goal as the contracted....and again, JF-17 is an Export project not the national defence equipment R&D project. the Certification process and require are a little different. the designer/manufacture side's test normally won't approach the limitation of this plane once it achieved the performance parameter described/required in the R&D contract between AVIC and the customer(PAF/ Pakistan Government). ..on the range performanc, JF-17 still has some little potential waiting for the PAF test unit to tap. the funding is always the hurdle ...
the problem of light combat airplane is : the influence/ratio of increased drag by external payload would be much higher than the heavy class planes. fully mounted JF-17's range would less than the 3000 km ferry range (3 drop tanks only).
combat radius is another thing. normally it's about 1/3 to 1/5 of the max range under different combat configurations. with a 800L tank short, this range performace of AShW mission should be near the low boundary if without any in-flight refueling although now JF-17 has such ability.
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on Airshow Dubai 2011, some PPT on the Chief Designer's introduction event...
and the deputy chief designer's interview in 2015 :
4.5 tons payload ability approved after the
additional test in 2013-14 for BLOCK II configuration. so the central line pylons can carry the 1100L drop tanks.
