isnt that pretty much the indian Su-30MKI upgrade?
Guess I should be more precise. I’d want the structural improvements and some of the new electronics of the Su-35S in a twinseater.
The MKI is from the Irkut line of Flankers, with canards and the heavier front end.
If I’m a poor dictator: new built MiG-29 SMT
If I’m a rich dictator: Let KnAAPO pimp a Su-30MK with Su-35 tech. Call it the Su-30MKPimp
Even if the Chinese *could* export their Flanker versions, *would* they ? They have their own domestic needs, which may come first.
There is no risk for Russia to lose sales in India. Indians get b!tch slapped over and over again by say Dassault, and still are hellbent to throw money at them. So, why should the Russians treat them differently ?
But show these aircraft to an outsider, someone who has no idea what country the aircraft belongs to or what exact function the fighter performs, and I’ll bet you the F-22 will always come out on top.
I for one never liked the F-22. The production model is a bit better than the prototype. Still a boxy ugly thing.
Same as everytime when this thread pops up:
top: YF-23
flop: YF-32
The first step is to define the targets it needs to intercept. I would expect extremly short reaction times in the future. As consequence, loiter time is more important than the classical attributes of an interceptor. The platform has to detect and engage ground hugging, stealthy cruise missiles as well as hypersonic targets.
Possible targets:
-conventional aircraft (rotary/fixed wing) + cruise missiles
-UAV swarms
-ballistic missiles
-satellites
The core of the concept is therefore a directed energy weapon, providing the necessary range and sufficient reloads to deal with drone swarms. -> new technology development necessary
The airframe itself should provide long loiter time in the first place, top speed is of secondary concern. All aspect stealth in radar, IR and optical frequencies. -> new surface materials required, airframe itself based on current technology
Propulsion: variable cycle engine for optimized loiter time prefered -> new technology development necessary
Sensors: spheric coverage by multispectral sensors. -> evolution of existing tech
The aircraft should be unmanned and of course network capable: evolutionary design of current datalinks and AI.
The largest obstacle is imho the weapon. Nothing existing provides the capability let alone is compact enough to fit into a fighter airframe.
Guess they use similar engine settings as we here in Germany did. Longer engine life, but more fuel consumtion and even more smoke then with original Soviet settings.
The real question is, why new aircraft at all ? Why not just upgrade the available airframes to SMT standard ? Airframe life extension included. Since most advanced a2g weapons would be new additions to the armory, no need to restrict the source. Russian ammunitions are not that much more expansive compared to Chinese ones.
If the desire exists, even additional airframes can be bought at firesale prices:
http://defense-update.com/20140416_russian-air-force-receive-new-mig-29s.html
More UK funded multiple launcher news from Flight Global this time:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]237898[/ATTACH]
That’s the a2g loadout of 2 Tornadoes for CAS/interdiction + 4 BVR missiles. Just wondring what the combat radius would be.
If the moderators cut all the Taranis stuff out and binned it the world would be no worse off (after all I have got to the bottom of it on my specially designed Taranis therapy thread).
Now, are there plans to operate Typhoon and FCAS together? I think the evidence suggests so:D:angel:
I don’t think so. More like the fat weapon system and whatever UCAV operating together.
Guys, don’t get worked up on this Mercedes/Polo thing. Substitute F-15 for Mercedes and you have the analogy I think was originally intented. The old warhorse may not come with the latest gadgets, but it is still better in some old fashioned performance parameters.
6 Brimstone and 4 PW IV is exactly twice what the Tornadoes carried over Libya. Plus the option for 4 BVR missiles. That’s good enough for me. Can someone identify the dual carrier ? Couldn’t find any detailed info on it.
I’m a bit surprised noone really took notice of this:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]237197[/ATTACH]
Swapping the Stormshadows with fuel tanks and this looks like a solid loadout. Pretty much what the Tornadoes carried in Libya times 2 plus Meteors. Now the question is: just a mockup or really in development ?
India:
1 Moar Su-30: already in service, local assembly possible
2 MiG-29 SMT (UPG): new built Russian ones come at 30 mill a pop. The Indian UPG version is structurally an SMT spiced up with some Indian electronics. Easily absorbed into service, existing support structure and dirt cheap. Tons of ammo certified and good enough as cheap bomb truck.
Russia:
1 Su-35S: helps de-risking systems intended for use in PAK-FA
2 Su-34: replacement for the remaining Su-24’s