Chris Lofting
2022-01-05 14:06
Not long ago, it was reported that the United Kingdom may "refuse to provide ejection seats" to prevent China from selling 12 Xiaolong fighters to Argentina! It's a pity that China is not South Korea. It doesn't eat this set at all. Simply replacing the imperial ejection seat used by Xiaolong with a domestic one can easily break the British blockade. And China's next move is even more relieved. According to the foreign media "full flight" (full aviacion), China has officially submitted an offer for the Xiaolong fighter to Argentina, and this time it submitted a fourth-and-a-half generation standard. The Xiaolong Block3.
It is reported that this batch of 12 Xiaolong Block3s includes 10 single-seat aircraft and 2 two-seat aircraft, with an average unit price of about 50 million US dollars. On the surface, this price should be the most expensive among all Xiaolong orders, but this is a fourth and a half generation fighter jet, and Argentina is the first time to consider buying fighter jets outside the European and American systems, so this order In addition to including the necessary weapons, accessories and technical support services, it should also include the establishment of a logistical maintenance system, an overhaul plant, and technology transfer. Looking at all the current four-and-a-half-generation fighter contracts, the price of $50 million is definitely the cheapest, and it is very likely that China will not make any money this time.
Xiaolong 3 with PL10E mounted
It is worth mentioning that this batch of Xiaolong will be equipped with the domestic HTY-5D ejection seat used by the J-10. Easily cracked the British conspiracy to use the ejection seat to try to block the contract.
Domestic ejection seat
The reason why we gave this very cost-effective offer should be considering the great political significance of this order. On the one hand, my country's high-end weapons have successfully entered the traditional sphere of influence of the United States in South America again, which is of great significance for enhancing my country's international influence. On the other hand, it is also a response to the United Kingdom's active response to the United States' participation in the containment of China, which has seriously interfered in my country's internal affairs many times. Especially recently, it dispatched the Queen's aircraft carrier formation, which will enter the South China Sea soon to engage in the so-called "freedom of navigation" provocative behavior. a powerful countermeasure. This order is worth it even if it doesn't make money.
Queen's aircraft carrier formation set off for global voyage
Where is the Xiaolong Block3 upgrade?
Compared with the Xiaolong Block2, the Xiaolong Block3 basically has no difference in appearance and aerodynamic layout, but the interior has been reborn. The biggest change is the installation of the KLJ-7A electronically scanned active phased array radar, which works in the X-band, the antenna diameter exceeds 600 mm, and integrates about 1,000 T/R components. The detection distance in air-to-air mode reaches about 170 kilometers, and it can track 15 targets at the same time, and guide and attack 6 of them at the same time. The maximum detection distance of stealth targets such as F35A can reach more than 80 kilometers. Overall performance is comparable to the APG-81 radar used by the F-35.
It is worth mentioning that the KLJ-7A has a standard version of "single-sided array" and a wide-angle version of "three-sided array". The latter installs a slightly smaller radar front on each side of the main antenna, which greatly expands the detection angle range of radar waves. The area has basically achieved seamless coverage, and the battlefield awareness has been qualitatively improved. It can more stably track high-mobility targets and stealth targets at large angles and large maneuvering conditions. If the Xiaolong Block3 quoted to Argentina this time uses this version of the radar, it will greatly improve the medium-range air combat capability of the Argentine Air Force, especially the ability to fight stealth targets like the F35.
Two versions of the KLJ-7A radar
In addition, Xiaolong Block3 will also upgrade the new equipment of the J-10C level, including large diffraction HUD, helmet sight, electronic warfare system and missile warning system. In addition, the Xiaolong Block3 has also been upgraded to a three-axis four-degree telex system, which further improves the maneuverability of the aircraft.
The cockpit of Xiaolong Block 2
For the engine, Xiaolong Block3 chose the Russian RD-93MA engine, the maximum afterburner thrust can reach 9300 kg, which not only makes up for the reduced mobility caused by the weight gain of the aircraft, but also solves the problem of active phased array radar. power consumption problem.
Different from the Xiaolong Block2 sold to Myanmar and Nigeria before, this time it is provided to Argentina with a fixed fuel pipe. After an aerial refueling, the maximum range can be increased by at least 30%, and the combat radius can be increased to more than 1,200 kilometers. The F35B used by the British aircraft carrier are all short legs. According to the data disclosed by the United States, the F35B takes off in a short-distance taxi with full internal fuel and full internal weapons, and the maximum combat radius is only 833 kilometers.
F35B is a small short leg
In other words, if Argentina equips Xiaolong with CM-400AKG hypersonic anti-ship missiles with a range of 290 kilometers (maximum speed of Mach 5), with the superb skills of Argentine pilots, it can completely pose a huge threat to the British aircraft carrier formation. Obviously, equipping Xiaolong Block3 can give Argentina a lot of advantages in the future confrontation with the United Kingdom in the Malvinas Islands.
Xiaolong can carry two CM-400AKG hypersonic anti-ship missiles with a range of 290 kilometers
Now that quotations have started, will a formal contract be far behind? Xiaolong's fourth user is coming soon. And through this contract, we will not only officially enter the ranks of the global high-end fighter export club, but also use this order to carry out a strong countermeasure against the United Kingdom, which is seriously interfering in my country's internal affairs, and kill two birds with one stone.
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