Depends if Spectra detects the APG 77.

I would think the Rafales would use Spectra and OSF solely to look for the raptors…

So either:

– Spectra can detect the APG 77 (likely) and the Raptor gives away its whereabouts and the Rafale pilot can either fire a Mica IR with spectra alone, or if the spectr track isn’t neat enough it could cue OSF for a more accurate two-sensor track.

– Spectra can’t detect the APG 77 (less likely IMO, but possible) and the F22 has got a huge advantage because it can use radar while the Rafale pilot would be limited to OSF.

Then there is the question whether Spectra could defeat an AMRAAM. If it can then both fighters may be forced to WVR, and there the Mica IR is probably way better than a 9M.

Nic

There’s another option- Spectra can detect APG-77, but not immediately, and with severely degraded performance, resulting in far less reaction time and/or less accurate passive targeting. This still leaves the Raptor with a significant advantage. As far as the missile advantages, the MICA does have a longer range than the -9M, however if the F-22’s IR reduction works well enough(or is able to approach from a vector, outside of the OSF field of view), and gets within SRAAM range, then the odds are much more even. Once the Raptor gets the -9X, it’s WVR lethality will be even that much higher. As for the Spectra’s effectiveness against the AIM-120C7/D, that’s all pure speculation. The Rafale pilot better hope that it works.

Damnit you have already made the exact same reply in the old thread to which I already replied that the Rafale could use L16 in RECEIVE only mode when attempting to be discreet.

Nic

Presumably, at some point the Rafale would’ve had to send a signal to the source of the datalink, even if after that point it was in the Receive only mode, and the Raptor would be operating with support too, but both of these things exceed the scope of this mental exercise. If neither aircraft had any outside help, and it was strictly 1 vs 1, each aircraft relying on its onboard systems, what do you think the outcome would likely be?

A smart rafale pilot would fly without the radar, trying to detect the raptors by passive means (L16 with sea, ground and air assets, OSF, SPECTRA).

So it all comes down to whether SPECTRA can detect the APG77 or not. Which is why the US didn’t want to use it in ATLC 😉

Nic

If the Rafale was using L16, he’d give his position away to the Raptor. The OSF would only help if he knew where in the sky to look. Even if SPECTRA detects the brief bursts of radar from the Raptor, the Raptor will still see the Rafale long before being in OSF/MICA range.

The aircraft can reach speeds of up to 2,1 thousand kilometers per hour. F-35 will be armed with 25-millimeter cannon, and also receive six external points of suspension and two pylons at two internal bays. F-35 can carry nuclear weapons.

source:lenta.ru
date:14.05.2010

This article would tend to support the M1.8+ speed capability, rather than the M1.6 limit that many opponents like to assert.

At 10-15km, what’s superior about the MICA compared to other late model western IR missiles? It was my understanding that its advantage was in its range compared to other missiles. At 10-15km, the more agile missiles should have the advantage.

Is Rafale better than the F-18C? yes it is, but in terms of basic parameters is lighter, with lower wing load and better TWR.
It has nothing to do with having canards or LERXes or foreplanes and tailplanes is pure lift, drag thrust and weight

Rafale of course pulls 23.9 deg/s STR while the F-18C and F-18E pull barely 18 deg/s in STR

I’ve yet to see a Rafale perform some of these manuevers-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ti0z_T0H9g

FWIW, as the topic is related to F-35… while the F-35’s architecture has possibility to integrate NGJ, there would be necessary hardware modifications and other likely cockpit updates required to the a/c as well. It’s not as simple as just plugging-in a modularized F-35 airframe when the time comes. As such, there will obviously be extensive testing done to assess actual feasible operations of an F-35 NGJ platform and whether to go there/fund it, or stick with platforms such as Growlr.

All F-35s are prewired for NGJ, and the space is there. It’s more a matter of updating the software.

Really? Any figures on this?

And one more thing I forgot to address before.
What stopped USAF to stick at least a pair of Duranadals into each bay and go for the runway?

Were F-117s certified to drop Durandals? The F-117s were tasked with hitting targets in the least permissive airspace, that would’ve been higher risk to other platforms. The task organization was based upon requirements and capabilities, and which platform was best suited. C2/IADs was considered higher priority for the F-117s due to their unique abilities. The Tornados had better anti-runway capabilities, due to the variety of weapons they could carry.