J-10B - Prototypes
The J-10B was first released in 2009 and officially entered mass production in 2013. In the past 4 years, several J-10B prototypes have participated in the test flight and finalization of the model. At present, there are at least 7 J-10B prototypes and 2 J-10B mass production machine and public appearance. Observer Network takes a detailed inventory of the similarities and differences of these fighters.
The first J-10B prototype appeared in the second half of 2009. The red “01” number on the side of the belly intake duct is the main feature of the aircraft. As the first J-10B prototype, this aircraft has many improvements over the J-10A fighter, including the use of supersonic inlets (DSI) without a cover layer to replace the original adjustable rectangular air inlet. , Reducing the weight of the body under the condition of optimizing the performance of the transonic section; the line shape of the nose is modified and slightly extended to accommodate the new phased array radar and photoelectric sensor; the vertical tail is increased and large electronic equipment is installed at the top of the cutting tip Cabin; enlarged ventral fins to optimize control at high angles of attack; electronic countermeasure equipment pods installed between under-wing inner hangers. At the same time, as a prototype, the aircraft was equipped with a large nose airspeed tube to collect various information and atmospheric data during the test flight.
The aircraft appeared without any painting, and the yellow and green colors on the aircraft were the surface treatment colors of the aircraft components. The aircraft was then put into test flight at the airport and became the first prototype of the J-10B for flight. It is believed that the "01" prototype was modified and repainted at a later stage and was given the "1031" aircraft number.
The second fighter J-10B fighter was marked with a red "03" and its position was still on the side of the air intake duct on the belly. The main appearance characteristics and color of the aircraft are basically the same as those of the J-10B "01". The only change is that the aircraft removes the large airspeed tube and only uses the normal small airspeed tube. J-10B prototype in flight "03", pay attention to the cooling air inlet above the side gun of the air intake duct, which is an important basis for distinguishing between mass production and prototype The aircraft was soon put into test flight, speeding up the progress of the J-10B fighter test flight.
According to this numbering sequence, the J-10B should have a "02" prototype, but no photo of the aircraft has appeared. It is speculated that the "02" J-10B may be a prototype for the static damage test, which had already passed the static test.
It is worth mentioning that, during the test flight of the "03" J-10B, netizens first captured the details of the left side of the aircraft. It can be noticed that there is an equipment cooling air inlet above the 23mm aircraft gun. This design has existed since the J-10A. It was not unusual at first, but it later became one of the important basis for distinguishing the J-10B mass production type. It is believed that the aircraft was re-assigned the "1033" aircraft number after the design was modified.
J-10B prototype "1031" is the original "01" prototype after repainting. This is the first prototype of the J-10B with two-color camouflage coating. It is also from this moment that the "J-10B is about to be equipped." "Began to repeatedly appear in the military news of major media. However, from the perspective of the large airspeed tube used by the "1031" aircraft, its mission is still to conduct flight tests to verify the aerodynamic design and flight performance of the aircraft.
In the later test flight of the J-10B prototype "1031", it can be seen that the large airspeed tube of the nose has been removed, and 4 PL-12 air-to-air missiles are mounted under the wing. From the perspective of the painting of the aircraft, there were no electronic facilities installed in the equipment compartment at the top end of the vertical tail of the aircraft. Therefore, this part was painted with gray during the test flight instead of using the green wave-transmitting material like the first two prototypes. At the end of the test, the aircraft removed the large airspeed tube and continued to test flight with ordinary airspeed tubes.
After the aircraft was manufactured, it went to Yanliang, Shaanxi, for test flight identification. The aircraft used to carry PL-12 air-to-air missile coaching and live ammunition during test flights. It can be speculated that the aircraft carried a complete fire control system and had conducted air-to-air missile test firings.
J-10B prototype "1033" is the original prototype of J-10B "03". In one photo, the aircraft was painted with red "03" and "1033" numbers at the same time to prove its identity. It can be seen that after the improvement of the aircraft, the external large electronic pod has been cancelled, but the specific changes to the equipment are unknown.
The J-10B "1034" prototype is the fourth prototype. Like the "1033" prototype, the electronic pod under the wing is cancelled, while the root of the duck wing is extended. It is said that the integration will be miniaturized. The electronic pod is integrated into the front of the fuselage. J-10B "1034" prototype, it can be seen that the electronics pod under the wing has been cancelled, and the protrusion in front of the duck wing seems to be electronic equipment
An unnumbered J-10B prototype was later confirmed to be the "1034" prototype. The left side of the aircraft still had the cooling air inlet used by the early J-10B, but there were also electronic equipment protrusions at the root of the duck wing. Except not using the "Taihang" engine, the other characteristics of the aircraft are completely consistent with the later "1035" aircraft. J-10B prototype "1035" is the second J-10B prototype with two-color camouflage. Compared with the previous "1031" aircraft, there are many obvious differences: the aircraft first tested the removable air-receiving pipe; the under-wing Fixed electronic equipment compartment; the antenna on the back of the aircraft has also changed; the root of the duck wing has been slightly extended (it is said to be an integrated electronic pod); most importantly, the aircraft canceled the cooling air on the left side of the air intake duct At the same time, the domestic "Taihang" engine was replaced. J-10B prototype "1035", it can be seen that the electronic equipment compartment under the wing has been removed, and the tail nozzle color is also different. This is the basis for using the domestic "Taihang" engine. Dressing "Taihang" is considered to be the most significant improvement of the aircraft. It is for this reason that previous claims that the J-10B will use domestic "Taihang" engines as its power have spread widely.
J-10B mass production machine: "101" and "103" - There were at least two F-10B mass-produced machines currently on the market, and their basic characteristics are consistent with the final F-10B prototype. As the output of the "Taihang" engine has not been able to meet the production needs of multi-type fighters such as the J-15, J-16, and J-11BS, the J-10B mass production model still uses the Russian-made AL-31FN engine after comprehensive consideration. At present, China has imported thousands of AL-31 series engines from Russia and has an overhaul line for this engine, which has strong repair and maintenance capabilities.
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