This is an old article but I found it interesting anyway. Hope hasn't been posted earlier. Google translation:
http://www.militaryparitet.com/perevodn ... dnie/1116/
29.09.10 CHINESE JOURNAL COMPARES THE PERFORMANCE AND PROSPECTS OF FIGHTERS FC-1/JF-17 AND LCA TEJAS
September 29, 2010
"Military Parity." Forum china-defense.com published material available in the September issue of Chinese military magazine "Weapon of knowledge" (article in Chinese, is an approximate translation of the name - "VP" ), which analyzes the performance and prospects of light fighters - Sino-Pakistani FC-1 Xiaolong ( "Xiaolong" - "Cruel Dragon" - the Chinese symbol ) / JF-17 Thunder ("Thunder" - Pakistani designation) and the Indian LCA Tejas .
At the present time fighter FC-1/JF-17 supplied by the Air Force of Pakistan and finds an initial operational capability. This combat fighter aircraft to replace the F-7 (J-7 / MiG-21).
Indian fighter LCA Tejas is still at the stage of flight testing and should also come to replace the MiG-21.
Both aircraft have nearly the same size and are designed for close air combat and providing close air support for ground troops, also could be used against naval targets.
In developing these fighters designers abandoned achieve such characteristics as the MiG-21 supersonic air intercept at high altitudes, opting for capacity building of aircraft at lower speeds and altitudes, thus striving to achieve multifunctionality combat use. According to its characteristics of Sino-Pakistani and Indian fighters occupy an intermediate position between the American aircraft F-20 Tiger Shark and the F-16 Fighting Falcon .
Fighter LCA Tejas has tailless aerodynamic design with a thin Triangle wing a large area, thus this fighter has a low wing loading and was designed to achieve high supersonic speeds. But later refused to do so, the plane is a bit heavier and has a relatively weak engine.
Incidentally, FC-1/JF-17 not obtained easily, since the period of its development, China had modern construction materials such as titanium and composites, and in this respect fighter level does not correspond to that now achieved in the country for developing such materials .
Both aircraft have the nose section, which houses a pulse-Doppler radar with a diameter of about 60 cm detection range goals may reach 60-100 km.
Of great importance for the performance of these cars have engines. At an early stage of development FC-1 China hoped to use American motor F404 , but the embargo on Western military equipment has changed those plans.
Was captured Russian engines RD-93, which is significantly inferior to its technology and resources to American turbofans, but has a much greater thrust. But it was a blessing, because FC-1/JF-17 was more severe than expected designers.
Indian fighter turned a little more lighter and smaller in size, but these advantages are offset by the use of a weaker engine. Serial LCA Tejas can be equipped American engine F404-GE-400 with a maximum thrust augmentor 71 kN, while RD-93 has a rod 81 kN.
Indian fighter can beat his rival, if it is equipped with such engines as the F414-GE-400 , M88-3 or EJ-200 (thrust 98.87 and 89 kN). But the use of these advanced engines by Indian designers to generate a lot of difficulties. Indian engineers are trying to develop its own engine Kaveri , but even received technical assistance from Russia and France, are faced with enormous challenges.
Export prospects FC-1/JF-17 for the next 10 years could reach 350-400 cars. In addition, you can create on its basis a light shock deck plane, similar to the French Super Etendard , but at a higher technological base. Fighter LCA Tejas will need at least 2-3 years of flight tests before it goes into production. Export potential of the aircraft is estimated to be very limited. To achieve profitability, the Indian Air Force will have to buy at least 200 of these aircraft. The author writes that while India is experiencing difficulties and losing time, Chinese fighter jets JF-17 and J-10 have to go out on a broad "international cooperation" and to take a leading position in the global market of light fighters.
