(Unless your referring to the nozzle itself, moving from a circular to a square nozzle can cost up to 9-10% in efficiency IIRC – that cannot be easily worked around as far as I am aware; maybe delaying the shape change from circular to rectangular to as late as possible would help, I’m not sure if the drop is due to extra internal pressure losses, or to reduced efficiency of the wake mixing phenomena – maybe both)

Some reports suggest that a LO nozzle with a good design might be able to keep it under 5%

Fair comment but returning to what I said:

“It is my understanding that the intention is to use Kaveri / M-88eri, whatever you choose to call it as the powerplant for the AMCA.”

I did not say it was definitely going to happen, I said the intention was to use modified Kaveri engines in the AMCA.

I hope the modifications stay well short of 100%! Anywhere near that figure and without transfer of critical technology, India might just as well manufacture a suitable engine under licence it seems to me. Cuts out the risk of engine procurement holding up AMCA (with the possibility of further aircraft imports being deemed necessary?)

One more thing: if France declines to pay for a 90KN+ M-88 and AMCA needs an engine of that thrust, will India end up indirectly paying development costs for the Armee de l’Air?

If Kaveri ends up on AMCA (in 90 KN + avatar), it will be a totally redesigned engine and not a modification from the current one. The deal GTRE is now looking for is wrt co-development is not a modification or a consultancy per se but actually sharing the work. The current Kaveri was designed to be only slightly better than GE-404, but the customer requirements have reached a completely new level now and the design has reached its potential.

that pyramid shaped bump on the tail seems to be a ripe spot for electro optic sensors.

Indian Sukhoi 30MKI to be upgraded into “Super Sukhoi”

The upgrade will include a new cockpit, an upgraded radar and certain stealth characteristics to make it less visible to enemy radar than the present Sukhoi 30. Most significantly, the aircraft will be able to carry a heavier weapons load including the airborne version of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, he added.

The Irkut chief did not provide any indication of the price of the upgrade project. However, going by the general cost trends of similar upgrades, the price could run close to a billion dollars. The Super Sukhoi would be a potent weapons platform offering both ground attack of precision targets and air superiority roles.

Just a billion dollar ?

I think you guys have got your wires crossed. Article 101 KC is the DASS equivalent for the PAK-FA composed of 6 elements:

101 KC (?) is the sensor replacing the traditional OLS;
101 KC-O is the spherical mounting behind ’52’s canopy;
101 KC-Y are the (4) distributed sensors.

That ‘Sniper’ pod’s designation is not (yet) known. It may explain the failure to induct license produced ‘Damocles’, I hope it’s as capable as the aforementioned western types.

This system is already undergoing testing on Su-35 right ?

Regarding the exhausts, I think since the program has started with a 3D TVC, IMO is very likely the production T-50 is MEANT to get a 3D TVC, because all the program, all the requirements and all the airframe was designed and tested with this kind of device, so the rounded 3D TVC is here to stay.

If indians want their exhausts ala Raptor…well, is their problem, go and pay for that garbage…

But I think russians are not that dumb.

give the IAF a 3D TVC LO nozzle and they will pay for superior garbage as well 🙂

Doesn’t bode well that they can’t even sign the jv contract,after all this time!

Well depends on what the french are bringing to the table (regardless of what they are capable of) and what price they expect. As one of the objectives of the JV, Indians were to develop the low pressure stage and french were to develop the high pressure stage of the new engine. Since it has been dragging on for the past few years, i believe neither side has reached an understanding for the work share and the extant of JV.

Main battery of PAK FA. RVV-BD(Raketa Vozduh-Vozduh Bolshoy Dalnosti)(Long Range Air-to-Air Missile)

thanks to muxel

how big is that bad boy ?