The amusing thing is that if most of you had your way you would be putting sveral pence on the basic rate of income tax.:rolleyes: 😉

Hey swerve…this states that for 500E

TWS>10 targets
Track formation range >25 nm
Look up detection range >35 nm.

http://www.selexinfrared.com/datasheets/Vixen500E.pdf

Doesnt the detection and tracking ranges seem too small for an AESA :confused:

Do remember that for s start this radar is tiny, it is intended to fit in the nose of a lead in fighter trainer.;)

I figure the service life of these things are probably not that long and the procurement cost for the upgraded versions is probably still pretty low and so they may just be doing this to wait until a replacement for Q-5 is available. It seems at this point from the talk of Chinese BBS that this is the most likely role of JF-17 in PLAAF.

I disagree, the Q-5s roles have been all but completely absorbed either by types now enetering service or likely to do so in the near future.

CAS- nicely covered by the WZ-10 and the J-10s light attack capability.
Long range strike- JH-7A was built for the role and is/will remain far more capable than the JF-17.

As far as the PLAAF is concerned the JF-17 should be considered a complete waste of time, effort and resources, there is no operational need for it whatsoever.

The Pakfa has yet to even fly yet alone go into production and service, when it eventually does it will likely not be procured in large numbers initially, therefore we can expect to see RuAF flankers in service for a very long time.

From xinhui @ CDF:

This is what the folks over there are saying:

With the JH-7A coming on stream in increasing numbers with the PLAAF, the light attack capabilities of the J-10 already demonstrated and the WZ-10 surely about to enter service the question has to be asked- why bother?

Even on the export front the JF-17 will soon bury the Q-5 once and for all.

I would have to agree………….with many of the current Aegis Destroyers being large and powerful enough to be called “Cruisers”.:D

And the DD-21/1000 or whatever it is being called now could easily be called a heavy cruiser!:eek:

I think LCa’s Radome is too small to fit good AESA?
now ofcourse if they are GaN TR modules , a different ball game. :diablo:

Shouldnt be a problem, Rafale has a small nose and its getting an AESA, the F-16 has a small nose and the block 60 got an AESA. Selex systems are marketing the Vixen-500E for small nosed aircraft as well.

No sunshine. you have neither read nor comprehended!

If pakistans efforts, and hundreds of men lost are pathetic, then all other countries efforts, SUNSHINE, are nothing but horse manure.

You do not count effort or commitment in terms of casualties, that is how you count faliure and the scale of the problem that in this case pakistan has created for itself.