The North Sea ACMI range has been closed down, apparently mobile phone signals interfere with the Radio masts. Also less airforces could afford to send aircraft to the range and GPS based range systems are more affordable.

I don’t think the RAF has an aggressor squadron in any real sense, the UK does hire private contractors like FRA to provide target facilities.

😮 Where did you find those?

Found in Afghanistan by an Italian patrol.

Quite ironic considering they were built in Italy. Apparently the Warbird restoration community are quite excited. Certainly these airframes could see a restoration.

On March 29th, El Mercurio newspaper reported about an offer of US NAVY to provide a hundred units of S-3B Viking for free to Navies of Chile, Argentina, Peru and Brazil.
Do you expect any interest?

http://www.defesanet.com.br/rv/fidae_06/2_mercurio_29_1_s.htm

If they are free I expect Argentina would welcome them.

Access to the GE F110 would be extremely useful to China in respect of their own WS10 program. The GE F110 is based on the core of the GE 101 fitted to the B1B and the WS10 is based on the core of the CFM56 which uses a core based on the GE 101 as well. The problem for China using the CFM56 as a start point for the WS10 is it will be adapted for airline use and there will be mettalurgical and detail differences. By looking at the GE F110 they will be able to incorporate those differences into the WS10.

Actually Gripen, Typhoon, Rafale…etc. are all considered 4th gen fighters. I think the only 5th gen fighters to date are the F-35 and F-22.

It would be nice if a bunch of South American countries pooled their resources to buy one common new fighter…maybe have Argentina, Brazil, Chile (and others) along with India and Russia all develop a new lighter 5th gen fighter. Another nice option would be for these South American countries to develop their own light fighter together.

The diplomatic and economic situation is improving, but I still think both of those options are still a dream….although it would be nice. If these countries purchase new equipment, it may be more costly upfront but in the long term, they will not need a new fighter for at least 20-30 years. So it could be a long term investment.

—–JT—–

This is a difficult subject and you will get different anwsers from whoever you speak to.

The manufacturers in Europe all call the Gripen, Typhoon and Rafale 5th generation whilst other sources especially ones in America tend to call them 4th generation. Aircraft in Russia like the Su27 get called 3rd, 4th and 5th generation depending on who you talk too.

In the end comparing generations is a game for arm chair generals and sales executives and not a reasonable method of comparing fighter types.

Reported in todays DNA that they are going for this expecting delays in the 126 MMRCA project. The Indian MoD has already contacted Dassault during President Chirac’s visit about the purchase and upgrade.

Twenty Mirage 2000-5 will be bought and the rest of the fleet will be overhauled and upgraded to 2000-5 standard with israeli and Russian Avionics by HAL. 😀 😀 😀

Giving them a total of four squadrons of the type….

Come to think of it.. in 2015 IAF orbat might be like this….

140 – Su-30MKI
126 – F/A-18E/F or F-16E/F
125 – MiG-21bisON or 20+ LCAs or a mix of them
80 – Mirage 2000-5
40 – MiG-27ML UPG
40 – Jaguars IS DARIN II and IM

Wow…Some Orbat

Fascinating development consideriing Dassault has announced that the Mirage line was being closed down. I suppose India is too big a cutomer to turn down.

Not sure about the Russian avionics bit though.

Due to the sensitive nature of many of the posts on the subforums we had to take them offline. Unfortunately we had to act quickly and were unable to give you any notice. However we are working on a solution and would ask you to be patient. For now I have unlocked the navy subforum and you should be able to access any posts on there if you follow the links. If you need any help then feel free to pm me. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for your patience.

Hooray! Were a national security risk! :diablo:

Kind of feel proud. 😀