This is the first picture I’ve seen of this radar. Thanks, MSphere. 🙂

Does anyone know where to find more info on this radar? For example range/modes? Also as I recall, there was a RAND report on the F-2 which basically stated that the reason the USA pushed so hard to base the F-2 on the F-16 was so they could involve US companies and gain access to Japanese technology such as composite wingboxes and the F-2 AESA. Swerve, I think you posted it here once.

But those spars originally anyways were rumoured to have cracks in them and aparently the Japanese went back to Ali spars. Not sure what the F-22 or the JSF is using for its spars.

Don’t need extravagant ucavs to cause iaf problems, turn some of the older f-7s into drones that can be remotely piloted they don’t need to win in a fight they can do just as much damage if used correctly distracting the iaf allowing them to fly in and hit what targets they want.

I wouldn’t expect a modern imaging IR seeker to take any notice of flares.

But you could throw something up into the air that blinds the IR sensor or fool the IR sensor maybe some form of inflatable foil baloon or something :S lol…

Could you not make a missile with a radar seeker but with IR cams to augment the radar image.

Or the F/B-22! How can a plane replace both the A-10 and the F-16 without being over engineered for one or the other role or be deficient in one or the other.

The Indian MoD strongly disagree and they are not the only ones.

While we are at it: yes the American F414 is also more advanced than anything in Europe (IMO) and the LM Sniper pod is better than the Damocles.
… and more: all this comes less expansive!

Yes… but they don’t transfer technology.

(and fortunatelly we have other good points too like discret BVR IIR, ECM, Meteor and AASM for instance)

AESA will not be a game changer, not for another few years and India will definately not get the kind of capability the USAF has been testing or trialing on its F-22’s. Directed microwaves will be usefull and will be able to bring some advantage but I can not see the USA giving that to the IAF. Nor can I imagine that the IAF will get the source codes from the US radars to do some slight mods.

Having said that I have to admit I do not know how much the F/A-18 EF and the F-16 radar will be modified for the IAF and if they will get some form of Kill switch in it (paranoid yup but not without reason.).

Lastly I will still maintain that given Indias current situation and access to high tech through the FGFA program or the purchase of ELTA or SALEX radars, the base aero performance has to be key. This is where my personal belief is that the F-16 and to a greater extent the F/A-18EF do not meet the mark.

Better to buy a well performing aerodynamically efficient aircraft and later upgrade to AESA radars.

I would also like to know how you can confidently say that the F-414 is more advanced than on any of the other jet engines?

US navy has put in an order of roughly 3.6 billion on each of the two LCS contracters. Each ship is going to be about 440million.

Loke, it will not happen just because you want India to develop something as you wish it. Mk2 itself will catch up with gripen NG. I haven’ heard of any Mk3 yet.

btw, how exactly is the gripen at the same level as rafale when it comes to LO or avionics ?

Let the LCA meets its original design goals before comparing the aircraft to the gripen NG. India does not need tech transfer now so there is no more of a mmrca need but to keep squadron strength up. Buy the cheapest and have it over with.

Why is it the age of an aircraft design rates a mention? the original Herc has been around since the 1950s, but with modern tech is still the most bought tactical airlifter. The F-16 is a superb design, and will be superior to alot of regional threats.

One is a transport and the other is a fighter. One has to carry cargo and the other has to cope with ever evolving threats.

If the F-16 aero design was superlative and upgrading did not detract from that then it is worth considering. Simple fact is with the block 60 this is not the case.

The C130-j is another matter, however would like to remind you that there were reservations about the j when it first came into service.

If India were offered the f-16xl it would be another matter.