遭外机雷达照射挑衅 歼-10C飞行员“夺枪反打”

Recently, a video about "J-10C being illuminated by foreign aircraft radar, and the pilot responding in kind" has attracted widespread attention. How dangerous is it to be illuminated by radar? What exceptional qualities do our pilots possess, and how does the advanced performance of the J-10C enable them to successfully achieve "counter-strike" 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 excellent psychological quality, he handled the situation calmly.

Shi Luquan: This is a provocation; if it were friendly, they wouldn't turn on the radar. This is our territory; why should I turn and leave? 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 conventional response procedures are clearly defined.

Fu Qianshao: When aircraft from foreign extraterritorial countries approach our territorial waters and airspace, we will dispatch military aircraft for monitoring and handling. The conventional response measure 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, issue voice warnings, and if the other side continues to approach, we will use radar illumination and fire flares as warning measures. 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 the gun raised, the safety off, and the opponent's head in the crosshairs, with only the final action of pulling the trigger remaining.

Fu Qianshao pointed out that during this confrontation, although it is temporarily unclear what type of radar illuminated our J-10C fighter jet, the actions of the other side 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 in the first instance, winning crucial time for subsequent handling.

The successful counteraction of radar illumination by the J-10C and the reclaiming of airspace dominance is supported by the hardcore performance of this third-generation and a half fighter jet after improvements and upgrades. Compared to the early J-10, the J-10C has achieved key technological breakthroughs in radar systems, detection methods, and other aspects, allowing it to gain absolute advantages in electromagnetic countermeasures and aerial tactical games, becoming an important technical confidence in responding to foreign aircraft provocations.

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

Firstly, the nose has changed from the original circular cross-section to an oval cross-section, and the radar system has also been upgraded from pulse Doppler radar to 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 side cannot detect that they have been locked on, significantly enhancing the detection capability 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 "counter-strike." Fu Qianshao explained that the radar reflection characteristics of the aircraft change with the angle, and sometimes a single maneuver can lead to a sharp decrease in radar cross-section.

The issue 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 of 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 is very professional; first, they took the initiative through maneuvering actions, then chose 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 threat 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 the 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 ensuring 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 sky of the motherland.

（Reporter from the General Station: Cui Tianqi, Hu Zechun）