1. Chengdu, China (J-10)
Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute is the manufacturer.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force is the main user.
Program Cost (allocated in 1982): $74 million*
Unit Cost (FY2010): $28 million
Even though Chengdu may not be as big as some of the biggest defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin, it is the company that makes some of China’s most remarkable military aircraft. China refers to the Chengdu J-10, also known as the Menglong (meaning “vigorous dragon”), although it is known by its NATO reporting name, Firebird.
Facebook.com/Chengdu J-10 (China) @Avions et Armement&espace
The J-10 is a lightweight, multipurpose fighter jet with a single engine that can fly in all conditions. It has fly-by-wire flight controls with canard and delta wing designs. Originally intended to be a dedicated fighter, the J-10 evolved into a multirole aircraft capable of air-to-ground and ground-attack missions.
A Gryazev-Shipunov twin-barrel gun, air-to-air missiles like the PL-10 and PL-8, laser-guided bombs, the KD-88 air-to-surface missile, and the YJ-91A anti-ship missile are among the internal weapons of the J-10. The Chengdu is also capable of carrying the anti-radiation missile YJ-91. The aircraft has a total capacity of 13,228 for bombs, missiles, drop tanks, or avionics equipment.
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