I just cant wait to see this thing, howeverit will only be interesting if it flys with all its goodies! It is interesting that the Mig-35 is said to have a 6000hr life span as well, I get the feeling that there might have been some tech sharing done.;)

I have just noticed something interesting, one of the loadout diagrams says that this thing is capable of carrying twelve RV-AAE’s including six under the intakes and fuselage. I would have thought that it would be limited to four under the fuselage and intakes?:confused:

A couple of other things come to mind, firstly the rear sting mounted Osa radar that was mentioned in earlier reports dosnt get any sort of mention here suggesting that it may have been deleted?:confused: Also the aircraft, whilst having a forward looking optical unit appears to lack the kind of under fuselage unit that the Mig-35s OLS-35 provides. Instead it seems that the flanker relies on external pods.

Ps, thanks for posting.;)

Thanks Arthuro, I had seen that picture before thats why I was curious. I am surpised that Dassault have not even done an airshow mock-up of the Rafale with 8 or 10 Micas, it would be a great attention grabber.

Now that fuel cell technology has reached an acceptable level of maturity I think it would be a good idea for the RN to look at a mix force of SSK and SSN.

My preferance would be an off the shelf design like the Scorpene or U212/214 class built at a UK yard with a suitable insertion of technlogy (Sonar, combat systems and optronics masts) from the Astute program to allow commonality with the SSN boats.

We would then get much the capability of the SSN boats but with reduced endurance and maybe a greater chance of exports.

Note the size differences, you would never get even a 3000ton SSK as capable as an Astute.;)

Great pictures, thanks for posting! Does anybody have any of a production Rafale with a full AAM load-out? 8 Micas or more?:confused:

Slightly more than 180m in length, the ship is characterised by a large upper deck area (with a cross-deck stretching back from the forward sponsons, a single integrated mast structure, vertical launch silos forward and amidships. The extended centre hull of the pentamaran, and the full breadth superstructure across the wide beam of the ship make the F5 a potentially excellent weapons and sensors platform. It allows clear separation of topside sensors, such as a fixed four-face MPAR, and 64 VLS weapons silos in two modules fore and aft, as well as an electromagnetic rail gun, all, with good arcs of fire. Further spaces in the superstructure and below deck, have been reserved to allow the modular fitting of additional weapons and sensors to provide a rapid swing capability for changing missions; whilst the upper deck layout also allows safe and easy RAS evolutions when underway. The F5 also boasts a double hangar capable of housing two Merlin type helicopters and a large flight deck aft . This arrangement also offers flexibility to segment the hangar to accommodate embarked military forces, deployable sensors, UAVS, UUVs and Special Forces craft. These can be deployed from the unusually wide flight deck, which has room for the operating footprint of Chinook sized helicopters.

Dimensions: 181,5 / 32,1mts.
Displacement: 6339ton full load
Crew: 105 hombres
V.Max./ Autonomy: 45knots /5500mn a 35knots (with one refuelling)
Armaments / equipment: 155mm canon, 64 cell VLS with littoral attack capability, capacity to operate helicopters/UAVs, hull and towed sonars, electronically scanning radars, passive sensors.

Thats the one, however in my little fantasy it would be fitted with the 5 faced Zenith version of the Sampson radar and an extra 32 VLS cells (the design apparently has space reserved for that.:diablo:

I’d just like to point out that if the mentioned game of chess between US and China ever turns to war, there is no guarantee that chinese with overwhelm US, aicraft numbers wise. I guess it depends on the support US may or may not get from countries like South Korea/Japan/etc, which would offer bases from which USAF could operate. With such bases, total number of US planes could very well match chinese.

Even in the worst case scenario, where US would use just guam, okinawa and carriers, starting balance of power would not be so terrible, 400-450 US fighters vs 1200-1500 Chinese ones. Within first 24 hours of hostilities, we’d see a big change in that ratio.

There are a couple of big issues that need to be remembered regarding the China US situation. Firstly all China’s efforts are centred on 2050, it is by then that their economy should have overtaken the US and when their current linguistic interpretation of there rearmament should be complete, what US and chinese armed forces will look like then (4 decades time!) is anybodys guess.

Secondly the only real reason the two might find themselves in a scrap is Taiwan, the Chinese have said that they will not invade unless the Island declares independence and the US is very opposed to it doing so.;)

I assume the old 30mm pods are still around, the Sea Harrier used them too after all. The US ones would have to be purchased first.

I dont know whether the old ones would fit, remember that the SHAR’s and GR-3’s had a different airframe.:confused:

Couple of questions regarding the Tornado and F-18E:

Is the upgraded Tornado GR4 carrying a Litening pod still able to carry 2 1000lb LGBs?
Is it possible to carry the smaller 500lb LGBs in tandem for a maximum of 5 under the fuselage?
Or is it even possible with the larger bombs?

How many Harpoon missiles is the SH able to carry? Should be no problem for the 4 inner wing pylons, but what about the outer pylons? The Harpoon is 520kg while I have read once those stations are only rated for 1000lb.
Also, the 1000lb class guided weapons are generally heavier than 1000lb. Would be intersting to know if those can be carried there.

I dont know how much this would help but I have before now seen a picture of a Tornado with 8 1000lb dumb bombs under the fuselage, I only ever saw it once but with the likes of JDAM becoming available it might come to life again.