Company Su-30MK, ‘503’ previously used to test Irbis-E radar, it’s speculated that it will be (or has commenced) flight testing of Tikhomirov’s AESA radar for PAK-FA (pic taken 24/05/11 @ Zhukovskii):

117 installation compared to 117S:

Apologies TR1, I should’ve posted the link:

http://www.npo-saturn.ru/?sat=64

According to Chepkin, yes

The ‘Type 30’ maybe a further development of the 117 using components from MMPP Salyut (who’s head stated last year that they already had components for the 2nd stage engine ready to be integrated). It would also explain the drawn-out contractual wrangling settled only in January, after heavy government pressure/intervention- which is understandable if Salyut was ‘surrendering’ their own developments and IP to Saturn.

Chepkin hints that the ‘Type 30’ may receive a new AL-XX designation soon, and ties in well with recent reports that the 2nd stage 5G engine development is ahead of schedule, with delivery slated for 2015.

It’s also possible (as already intimated elsewhere) that this is the engine for the FGFA, hence the demonstration to the Chief of the IAF the other day, which would mean this is still not the definitive engine for the RuAF machines (so-called Izd. 129).

Barring any mis-quoting and/or poor journalism- it’s very good news indeed :).

MMRCA decision by December (?):

With only Typhoon and Rafale left in the reckoning after the “gruelling and transparent” technical and flying evaluation, MoD’s Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) and Technical Offsets Evaluation Committee (TOEC) are now working to submit their reports soon.

“We should be ready to open the Typhoon and Rafale commercial bids in July,” said the source. Thereafter, it will take another month to determine the lowest bidder (L-1) because of “huge mathematical and data verification” of the lifecycle costs of operating the jets over a 40-year period. Commercial negotiations with the L-1 vendor will then begin before the final contract is ready for signing by December.

Asked about “points” being raised by eliminated vendors, sources said only Rafale and Typhoon were found “compliant” on all the 643-660 technical attributes or ASQRs (air staff qualitative requirements) laid down to meet IAF’s specific operational requirements.

“Our test pilots flew 222 sorties, over 270 hours, on the six fighters in different weather conditions in India and abroad. Each vendor was informed of its jet’s performance at every stage… they have no reason to complain,” the source said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/india-goes-full-steam-to-finalize-104-billion-jet-deal/articleshow/8525665.cms

…and here’s the first IAF MiG-29UPG ‘UB’ upgrade:

And Dassault/Thales/Snecma don´t see India as their best/biggest export chance?
If any party isn´t willing to invest to meet off-set requirements, their bid will be thrown out.

Dassault et al may be ready and willing, but remember the offsets are worth some $4.75bn, and French unions (not for the first time) may have the final word.

Having said that, I came across this interesting snippet regarding Snecma’s M88 ECO core integrated with Kaveri, and its application on not only the AMCA, but also on AURA (India’s UCAV project). The rumours of Dassault inviting Indian participation in nEUROn (or a similar jv) may hold water afterall (pg.27).

http://sg.zinio.com/reader.jsp?o=int&offer=274582255&pub=69582310&prev=sub

Excellent work Buitreaux!! (but where are the CFTs?) 😎

I cant open page

EADS beats SAAB in the R&D centre race (where is Dassault?)

Bengaluru: Cassidian, the defence and security division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS), on Wednesday said it has opened a new engineering centre, the first of its kind from a global defence firm stable, in the city.

The centre will work in the areas of radars, protection suites, avionics, information technology and three-dimensional visual simulation, aero-structure and aerospace modelling and simulation.

“This is the first defence-oriented engineering centre operated by a foreign company in India and therefore a landmark achievement towards Cassidian’s strategic goal to establish a long-term partnership with India,” the company’s chief executive officer Stefan Zoller said here.

The new centre is staffed almost entirely by Indian engineers who have undergone extensive training in Europe. It has plans to increase the current number of 60 employees to over 200 by the end of 2012.

“The centre in Bangalore is a perfect example of our commitment to increase our industrial footprint in this rapidly growing country and to create a wide range of opportunities for industrial cooperation,” Zoller said.

The centre will be the first Cassidian engineering development effort outside Europe. It will be integrated with the firm’s engineering organisation to participate in Indian and global programmes.

http://www.asianage.com/business/eads-defence-arm-opens-centre-india-518