Something a little different this week. The JF-17 Thunder is lightweight multi-role fighter jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Although it’s a clean-sheet airframe, it utilizes the same engine as the MIG-29, technology from the Chengdu J-10, and a cockpit layout similar to the F-16 to aid in pilot conversion. It put on one heck of a show in Paris this year.
It’s a pretty nice looking aircraft, in my opinion. With lines that look like a cross between an F-20 Tigershark and a baby F/A-18 Hornet, I’d definitely call it prettier than most other other 4th-Gen aircraft not built in France or Switzerland.
And there’s a chance to fly one (virtually)! A JF_17 module is coming to DCS (and will be released by the time this blog comes out). The video below gives a nice overview of flying the virtual representation of this bird.
Looks like fun to me.