Provocation by Foreign Radar Lock: J-10C Pilot "Counterattacks"

Recently, a video about the "J-10C being illuminated by foreign aircraft radar, with the pilot responding tit for tat" has attracted widespread attention. How dangerous is it to be illuminated by radar? What exceptional qualities do our pilots possess, and how do the advanced capabilities of the J-10C enable them to successfully execute a "counterattack" under the "gun barrel" and ultimately drive away the foreign aircraft?

In an aerial engagement, a pilot from a certain unit of the Central Theater Command Air Force, Shi Luquan, encountered radar illumination from a foreign military aircraft. Thanks to his strong psychological resilience, he handled the situation calmly.

Shi Luquan: This is a provocation; if it were friendly, they wouldn't turn on the radar. Why would I turn away from my own territory? When the distance got closer and the radar warning disappeared, I immediately switched the radar to standby mode.

Military commentator Fu Qianshao explained that when foreign military aircraft approach our territorial waters and airspace, our standard response procedures are clearly defined.

Fu Qianshao: When aircraft from foreign extraterritorial countries approach our territorial waters and airspace, we will dispatch military aircraft to monitor and respond. The standard countermeasure is to drive them away, during which there may be situations of dangerous proximity between both sides' aircraft. In response to approaching foreign large reconnaissance aircraft, our aircraft will perform maneuvers in front of them and issue voice warnings to drive them away. If the other party continues to approach, we will use radar illumination and launch flares as warning measures, while firing shells in front of them constitutes a serious warning.

Among these, radar illumination is a crucial point from warning to counteraction, and it is also a signal of escalating danger in aerial confrontations. If illuminated by fire control radar, it is often regarded as a significant military provocation and a major escalation in international relations. It essentially means that the parameters of the target's distance, direction, speed, and altitude have been measured and transmitted to missile or artillery systems. For example, for a fighter jet, being illuminated by fire control radar is akin to having raised the gun, disengaged the safety, and framed the opponent's head in the sights, with only the final action of pulling the trigger remaining.

Fu Qianshao pointed out that during this confrontation, although it is currently unclear what type of radar illuminated our J-10C fighter jet, the actions of the other party are equally extremely dangerous and provocative. The reason the J-10C can respond quickly in critical moments lies in its advanced electronic countermeasure system, which can detect threats immediately, buying crucial time for subsequent actions.

The successful counteraction of radar illumination by the J-10C and the reclaiming of airspace dominance is supported by the hardcore performance of this upgraded third-generation and a half fighter. Compared to the earlier J-10, the J-10C has achieved key technological breakthroughs in radar systems, detection methods, and other aspects, giving it an absolute advantage in electromagnetic countermeasures and aerial tactical games, and becoming an important technical foundation for responding to foreign aircraft provocations.

Fu Qianshao: The early J-10 was equipped with pulse Doppler radar, which is the mainstream advanced onboard radar for third-generation fighters. After improvements and upgrades, the J-10C has achieved multiple key technological breakthroughs, becoming a high-performance third-generation and a half fighter.

Firstly, the nose has been changed from a round cross-section to an oval cross-section, and the radar system has been upgraded from pulse Doppler radar to an active phased array radar, with the core T/R components made of gallium nitride material;

Secondly, an infrared search and tracking system has been added, which was not available in the early J-10C configuration. The core advantage of the infrared search and tracking system is that it can detect targets tens or even hundreds of kilometers away without turning on the radar, using passive detection methods. Since this system does not emit electromagnetic waves, even if it captures enemy target information, the other party cannot detect that they have been locked on, significantly enhancing the detection capabilities and methods of the J-10C.

In addition to the advanced electronic countermeasure system, the excellent aerodynamic design of the J-10C is also a crucial factor in its successful execution of the "counterattack." Fu Qianshao explained that the radar reflection characteristics of the aircraft change with the angle, and sometimes a single maneuver can lead to a dramatic reduction in radar cross-section.

The problem is that not all fighter jets can achieve this, and not all pilots can do it. If advanced equipment is the hardware foundation for the J-10C to counter foreign aircraft, then the professional handling procedures of the pilots are the software core that won the initiative in this confrontation. In the face of sudden radar illumination threats, every action and tactical choice made by the pilot tests their combat capability and psychological quality, and the handling by the J-10C pilot in this instance is a classic example of aerial confrontation.

Fu Qianshao: The handling process of this J-10C pilot was very professional, first turning passive into active through maneuvering, then choosing a favorable angle to implement radar search, illumination, and tracking of the target, reclaiming airspace dominance, and could take further pressure measures based on the situation, ultimately driving away the foreign military aircraft that posed a danger to our territorial waters and airspace.

Our pilots, through maneuvers and counteractions, not only achieved reverse radar illumination but also occupied an absolute tactical initiative position, putting the foreign aircraft in a difficult position to retaliate. Military commentator Fu Qianshao pointed out that this is a result of the Chinese Air Force's daily high-intensity training and realistic exercises.

The impressive performance of the J-10C showcases the comprehensive upgrades from equipment performance to tactical design, and it also highlights the superb flying skills and solid combat capabilities of Chinese Air Force pilots. From early national air defense to today's far-sea patrols, from single aircraft operations to system confrontations, the development of the Chinese Air Force has always centered around safeguarding national sovereignty and protecting the security of territorial waters and airspace. The Chinese Air Force has the capability and confidence to respond to all external threats, using hardcore strength to protect the blue skies of the motherland.

(Reporter: Cui Tianqi, Hu Zechun)