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Peter G

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December 1, 2009 at 12:43 pm in reply to: Rafale News VIII – more about everybody's favourite French fighter #2411628

Peter G
Participant

Use them to convert 11F until additional new aircraft are delivered. Then use them on light duties or into reserve until the remainder of the fleet catch up and airframe hours.

The current(?) plan is stand up 11F from 2012, then 17F sometime after that. Once sufficient aircraft are delivered, squadron strength is planned to increase from 10 to 14 aircraft. Thats 42 operational from the 56 remaining (AFAIK the 60 aircraft was cut to 58 in December 2008).

This probably means Charles de Gaulle objective air group is 28 Rafale M, 3 E-2C, 2 Panther, 2 NH90.

November 30, 2009 at 11:45 pm in reply to: Rafale News VIII – more about everybody's favourite French fighter #2411956

Peter G
Participant

F1 upgrades

The French Navy’s (Aéronavale) oldest Rafale M fighters are to be upgraded from F1 to F3 standard in a €300 million contract, French Defence Minister Hervé Morin announced.

It had been previously stated that the upgrade would commence in 2012, but now has been brought forward under the government’s Economic Recovery Plan. Ten aircraft will be ungraded, first delivered in 1999 to Flotille 12 (12F) at Landivisiau but subsequently withdrawn as the F2 version entered service from July 2007 and placed into storage.

The upgrade will take 18 months, after which the Rafales will replace the Super Etendards currently serving with 11F at Landivisiau.

Earlier this month the French Government approved the purchase of 60 more Rafales for the French Air Force and Aéronavale, bringing the total commitment to 180.

http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=1175&thisSection=military

November 29, 2009 at 2:15 am in reply to: Another retired tanker commander speaks #2413464

Peter G
Participant

Excellent photos!

Italian B-767T/T (might be the local name):
Jan-late 2010: Delivered.
Can receive fuel at

Figures I have for the Italian KC-767:
Can receive fuel at 1115 USG/minute (yeah it can receive fater than it can give!)
Boom passes at 883 USG/minute (probably 900 USG)
Centreline hose at 589 USG/minute (probably 600 USG)
Wing hoses at 392 USG/minute (probably 400 USG)

November 28, 2009 at 1:15 pm in reply to: A400m DATE SET ? #2414307

Peter G
Participant

Yes the A400M is planned to refuel helicopters.

November 28, 2009 at 11:57 am in reply to: F-22, Typhoon, Rafale, and F16's Block 60 #2414342

Peter G
Participant

There hasn’t been a selection between the Boeing GBU-40 and Raytheon GBU-53 yet.

November 28, 2009 at 11:05 am in reply to: F-22, Typhoon, Rafale, and F16's Block 60 #2414440

Peter G
Participant

Thats the GBU-39 SDB. Guidance is via I&GPS and is brilliant for hitting stationary targets. The warhead can penetrate up to around 90% of the 2000 lb BLU-109….

SDB II with tri-mode seeker (SALH, F&F IIRH & MMW) with capability against moving targets hasn’t even been selected yet, let alone flown.

F-22 was operational with GBU-32 JDAM in December 2005. This went on to replace the F-117A attacking known fixed targets. 63 F-22 get the APG-77(v)1 radar with a SAR mode under Block 30/Increment 3.1, along with subsonic drops 2011-2013. Further 83 F-22 Block 35/Increment 3.2 get the actual software to designate new targets using the SAR mode 2014-2018.

SAR isn’t any good against mvoving maritime targets in any case, they could receive targets over Link 16. Unfunded Increment 3.3 will add a GMTI mode, but nothing has been said about a sea search mode.

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app5/sdb.html

November 28, 2009 at 10:06 am in reply to: F-22, Typhoon, Rafale, and F16's Block 60 #2414479

Peter G
Participant

F-22s have already hit moving targets.

Using what weapon? SDB II isn’t in service yet.

November 28, 2009 at 8:30 am in reply to: A400m DATE SET ? #2414576

Peter G
Participant

They’ve already got a tanker role and as have numerous armour, EW, etc options.

The French Air Force might replace its two Gabriel C.160 with A400M variants.

November 28, 2009 at 7:09 am in reply to: US To Withhold F-35 Fighter Software Codes #2414682

Peter G
Participant

I once read something (that I didn’t really believe) that the source codes for the RAAF Hornets were modified to prevent them detecting or locking onto US built aircraft or something along those lines.

A situation supposedly resolved by breaking the source code.

Be a little awkward in the numerous US/Australia exercises if true…

November 28, 2009 at 1:11 am in reply to: Impressive Weapons Load 2 (again) #2414964

Peter G
Participant

No, single only.

November 28, 2009 at 1:05 am in reply to: A400m DATE SET ? #2414969

Peter G
Participant

Word around the campfire is a 7th C-17A and A400M cut to 19 or lower:
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4394666&c=AIR&s=TOP

November 28, 2009 at 1:01 am in reply to: Impressive Weapons Load 2 (again) #2414971

Peter G
Participant

Yep, that was the one. Thanks.

November 27, 2009 at 10:29 pm in reply to: A400m DATE SET ? #2415100

Peter G
Participant

More info here:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/27/335567/airbus-targets-week-50-for-first-flight-of-a400m.html

November 27, 2009 at 1:12 pm in reply to: Impressive Weapons Load 2 (again) #2415806

Peter G
Participant

What about the one with 6 ASRAAM and 6 AMRAAM?

November 27, 2009 at 11:39 am in reply to: Australia: Green light to buy Joint Strike Fighters #2415945

Peter G
Participant

I doubt the original December 2009 HUG/JASSM date will be met?;)

I’ve also heard 2010, which also seems a little fast?
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