I have brought forward the HQ-9’s discussion from the FC-1 SAGA thread to here

The lower picture suggests that the entire panel is monolithic, and that there is only one main array, not like the multiarray panel used in the MPQ-53. That rules out having illuminators underneath those panel.

Now, after careful search, we haven’t found any dedicate illuminators on board PLAN 052C DDG, so the 4 arrays of AESA radar MUST function as some sort of “Fire control” However, the 4 face AESA arrangement similar to Aegis has suggested the 4 arrays also must function as volume search function. Sampson MFR is such a shipborne AESA not only can search but also fire control provided ONLY the SAM is active radar guided Aster, if Sampson AESA needs to work with other TVM/Semi-ARH SAMs like SM-2, there must be a separate illuminator suites.

Notably, a rich country like UK only adopted 2 array arrangement of Sampson instead of 052C’s 4 faced because of high cost. So it’s impossible for PLAN to install 4 expensive AESA arrays just in order to provide 360 deg illuminating needs of a western prostrated SEMI ACTIVE RADAR HOMING HH-9, some even say the naval HQ-9A is just a clone of S300F.

In my view, the 052C’s Aegis alike radar works in S-band, this also complies with china’s current semiconductor industrial level to produce S-band T/R elements. Similar to Sampson but not to SPY-1, the 4 faced AESA provides air search while mid-course guidance to HH-9A SAM, the HH-9A will rely on its own active radar to home on the target in the final stage like Aster.

STMicroelectronics to sell China’s Loongson processor

http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/03/29/HNloongsonprocessor_1.html

Deal is aimed at promoting China’s homegrown processor as a viable option in markets around the world

By Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service
March 29, 2007

STMicroelectronics has signed a five-year agreement with the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Computing Technology (ICT) to sell China’s homegrown Loongson processor in markets around the world, the company said Wednesday.

The first chip to be offered by STMicroelectronics under the agreement will be ICT’s Longsoon-2E, a 1GHz processor that is manufactured using a 90-nanometer process. In a statement, STMicroelectronics said the Loongson chips, also called Godson, offer “impressive performance and low power” that are suitable to a range of electronics applications. The company did not provide details of those applications.

ICT previously relied on a spin-off company, BLX IC Design Co., to market the Loongson chips to customers, but its efforts have yet to yield much in the way of contracts. ICT did not immediately respond to e-mail questions concerning the agreement with STMicroelectronics and its effect on the relationship with BLX.

However, the agreement is likely to put some muscle behind ongoing efforts to promote Loongson as a viable processor option, thanks to STMicroelectronics’ larger size — the company is one of the 10 largest chip makers in the world — and established relationships with device makers around the world.

PLAAF most likely will acquire FC-1 once WS-13 turbofan is available to power the fighter. The current manufacturing capacity however is fully geared up to satisfy PAF demand.

As for BVR, I will vote PL-12 which is the most logical BVR AAM to be integrated with any future PLAAF FC-1. SD-10 is its export version and generally speaking, it’s on par with AIM-120 up to C version. I haven’t heard any TC-2 upgrading since it adopted the seeker failed in AMRAAM contest.

K8 is well received in Africa. The latest 2 K8P trainers were delivered to Ghana in last March. And Egypt is manufacturing 40 more of this plane after initial 80 units were built.

LoL, then they should upgrade their Radar soonest because under performed radar systems did kill, killed your own people. What’s more in a concern than priceless lives are lost?

The cockpit view of new IDF

You know what I’m thinking now? Tomcat is translated into “Xiongmao” or male cat in Chinese, so, ves versa, “Xiongyin” or Hsungyin” can be translate as “Tom-eagle” or “Tom-hawk” whatever they like

Rather than admitting it’s a “Airforce”, now I’m convinced next time those flies won’t be that lucky because when people are prepared, a rifle in hand can be much enough to bring such a “ Airforce” to its knees.