IIRC the X-32 had a rather complex system of inlet blockers in place. Also it had a belly duct like the F-16 and not Flanker-type straight rectangular ducts leading straight to the engine face.

Huh ? Inlets don’t come any straighter than x-32

There is potential for integrating a radar blocker directly with the square engines that the PAK-FA would eventually be fitted out with… who knows?

For all we know, the initial compressor face could itself be made out of radar absorbing composites and covered in RAM

The seeker view, or lack of it should be irrelevant , cant the data from the sensors on the aircraft be fed to the missile so it only requires lock well after it is launched

X2. Wasn’t this touted as one of the advantages of 360 degree electro optic sensors ?

Hmmm maybe I am. But, there just seems a lot of news coming out all of a sudden when theres a huge deal due to be announced any time now – coincidence maybe. When was the last time we heard any news concerning upgrades for the Typhoon was released? Four, five or even six months ago maybe? (Sooner?)…

Ah well. Its getting some quite serious upgrades anyway.

Not to forget there is Swiss, Malaysian, South Korean and Japanese tenders to think of, where, especially in Korean and Japanese tenders, the competitors might struggle with initial delivery dates.

Next generation encryption technology developed by Cassidian is fitted into the Eurofighter. Encryption is a critical cyber security technique to ensure mission data is securely exchanged between friendly forces.

Eurofighter Typhoon will be the first aircraft in the world to be equipped with next generation encryption technology developed by Cassidian with support from Raytheon Systems Ltd. The full electronic key management system will be delivered shortly for integration into the platform and will be a major step forward for the management of multi-crypto platforms, potentially reducing the key loading process from one hour to less than one minute on a daily basis.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/27690/?SID=44df5b2c294a64ed015f295d57c90c88

I am not sure as to how this technology might be put to use, particularly this part

Eurofighter Typhoon will be the first aircraft in the world to be equipped with next generation encryption technology developed by Cassidian with support from Raytheon Systems Ltd. The full electronic key management system will be delivered shortly for integration into the platform and will be a major step forward for the management of multi-crypto platforms, potentially reducing the key loading process from one hour to less than one minute on a daily basis.

I thought Link-16 had its own encryption standards, besides would this new encryption be compatible with export customers network ?

After a few month’s hiatus, here’s an updated IAF force composition prediction. This takes into account the revised Mig-29 and M2K upgrade sched. Note that at 2030, the IAF will have about 7 fighter types. The irony is that in 2012 the IAF will operate about 7 types. So even after almost 20 years, the IAF’s menagerie of fighters will not come down. Even in the 2040s the IAF will operate about 5 manned fighter types.

Also, by 2030, about a quarter of the force will be 5th gen and the overwhelming majority (2/3rds) will be 4th gen (MKI, MMRCA & LCA). All this assumes a HAL production rate of about 35 frames (total) of various types per year.

good job as usual victor 🙂

Why even bother ? What is wrong with privatisation. Its the best way forward. Sell them all infact there should be no PSUs and only companies based on profit in that way our country will have higher growth rate and better companies.

Seems like your wish has been granted, NDTV tweets that Govt might divest (at least a significant part of ) HAL.

just 250 kg bombs. that’s official statement from KTRV. (KAB-250/UAB-250 (SDBski))

Kh38 which is supposedly going to fit inside Pak-Fa weapons bay itself weighs 1120 lbs, i suppose we may see larger bombs as well.

Note what else they don’t include in the price which is pretty stupid as most of those avionics items are an intergral part of the aircraft and not a bolt on option as they are with the older generation aircraft. You can’t have an F-35 without them so might as well be honest with the price and highlight what you get for the money as it will hurt them more when people have been quoting one price to their voters and than have to admit later the real price was much higher.

So its probably nearer to $85 million than $65 miilion, and that if the production run is uneffected by the US DoD budget cutbacks or technical issues which delay the aircraft getting into full production.

The article says $111 million in 2011 dollars. Probably will hit 125 in 2020 dollars when its time for customers to pay.