DCS World DCS: JF-17 Thunder

DCS World DCS: JF-17 Thunder adds the single-seat, single-engine JF-17 multirole light fighter to DCS World. Developed jointly by AVIC Chengdu and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), the aircraft was designed for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Its design phase ended on May 31, 2002, it first flew on August 25, 2003, and the first aircraft was delivered to the PAF in 2007. JF-17s serve in the air forces of Pakistan and Myanmar, and the aircraft saw combat on February 27, 2019.

The JF-17’s development grew out of the PAF’s search for a replacement for the Shenyang J-6, the Chinese version of the MiG-19. The PAF was not satisfied with the Chengdu J-7M, and after more than 20 years of development the resulting Thunder became a very different aircraft. Its features include a bubble canopy, strake-wing layout, KLJ-7 radar and WMD-7 targeting pod.

Flight and cockpit

The module models the aircraft with a nonlinear, high-fidelity 6DOF rigid-body flight model using real-life aerodynamic coefficients. Its flight controls recreate the full-authority longitudinal fly-by-wire system and lateral/directional control augmentation, including different modes and control-law behavior during malfunctions.

The detailed 6DOF cockpit has three large MFCDs and a HOTAS interface. The exterior model includes details such as wrinkled skin, faded paint, oil residue and individually represented rivets.

Aircraft systems

The module simulates the JF-17’s communications and navigation, fire control, stores management, electromechanical management, air data, DTC card, warning and defense systems. It also models the hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, environmental conditioning, oxygen, lighting, power plant control, zeroizer and ejection seat systems, as well as the g-suit.

More than 200 system malfunctions and over 100 damage partitions cover nearly 100 onboard devices. The effects of malfunctions in one system on others are also simulated. Ground crew interactions include detailed radio command options, and aircraft configurations can be adjusted in Special Option.

Sensors and weapons

The KLJ-7 radar can track 10 targets and attack two at once. It can also search for and track moving surface targets on land and at sea. The WMD-7 targeting pod can search for and track surface targets, identify air targets, and guide laser-guided weapons.

The JF-17 can carry stand-off weapons including LS-6 and GB-6 glide bombs, the C-802AK anti-ship missile and the CM-802AKG Man-In-the-Loop (MITL) missile. Its electronic warfare equipment includes chaff and flare dispensers (OESP), a KG-600 self-protection jamming pod that can locate radiation sources, and a tail-mounted missile approach warning system (MAWS). An onboard datalink shares battlefield information between JF-17s and with AWACS.

Campaigns and capabilities

The aircraft has air-to-air refueling capability. JF-17 campaigns in the Caucasus theatre are listed as to be determined.