I actually see Rafale AESA as a weakness. It may be available years before Typhoon’s but Rafale size constraints should mean that the Typhoon AESA will be a better AESA. If you are going to fly an aircraft for 20+ years, why chose an aircraft on the basis that it will have a better radar than the alternative for 2/3/3+ years? Furthermore, it is hardly as if Captor is not a good radar, so you would be severely handicapped until AESA was available.
As you say, it does depend to some extent on the sense of urgency. I just don’t think that is a winning point where AESA is concerned. Perhaps I’m wrong and the selectors will see things differently.
Quote:
The flyaway price is just one thing concerning cost. Theres much more to it than just that alone.
I agree with EELightning’s comment here. For example. what does it cost to update a Mirage 2000? What will it cost to update a Rafale?
I rather agree and that last post was still in my
recent tendency of “let’s wait around a pint”.
Every nook and cranny contains a nutshell.
see-saw type decision and not Ockham’s razor.
About the RBE2-AESA, I wondered a lot, mused somewhat.
I wondered why its small size which physics describe as
less efficient is not more of subject?
Why this clear cut advantage to the AESA debate/evaluation
is not more present on the commercial front?
Have EADS/BAe/Eurofighter Gmbh have suddenly developed
quasi virginal pudeur & restraint? I mean what a juicy bone, er …
Barring the usual reference to Klingon tech, the best I could
come up with was that a proper use of a good if …AESA plate
through a great sensors’ fusion/netcentric/MMI to a SPECTRA
dedicated protection suite possibly quite the nice one . . .
could not have been completed by a reasonable array of
respectable pieces of armament into a WARPLANE?
So that having developed a “omni”role swiss knife at last,
the AdlA has matured in concepts for use of a plane that
serves the whole range of duties, formed the cursus for
carrier-based use to far afway and the omnirole bombers
of EC 7-1* and EC/1-91 are now implementing the leadership
in reco in Lybia, still taking their turn for the latter in nuke alert,
same Lybia over which the future Normandie-Niemen’s pilots,
already chosen, are honing their skills?
I mean, at some point it should become clear that even though
still set for upgrades initially deemed necessary and doing so
through the existing fleet always, the plane as a tool is now fully
integrated and as such, in the case of the Typhoon here or another
later, is at last the sellable product that many fine gentlenations
would consider to acquire?
I sincerely understand why some might have wished that the Raffy
went from confused youth to dazed seniority but really mates …
the Rafale has come of age.
So still not quite that expectant about India, let me trust my prefered
bird as MMRCA goes and support the Typhie if the Japanese REALLY
want to make a point 😎
Good day all, Tay.
P.S. If someone has a better idea or sources to shed light
on the RBE2-AESA vs Captor-AESA or want to start a thread;)
* Sorry, neurotic nationalist nervous tick since Al-Dhafra.
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