Snow MonkeyIn all seriousness what is Spain’s ability to buy tranche 3B Typhoons? They’ve managed to pass economic austerity measures by 1 vote in parliament but if it’s a choice between a project where they have, what is it 13% workshare, and a social project I don’t see the Typhoon winning through given the state of their economy.
I believe you have broken the code.
Spain views T3B as a jobs program at the expense of those who would buy T3Bs.
I think this is a spot on take of Spain`s perspective on this.
The thing is, if Spain`s continuing participation means the other partners are legally obliged to fulfill their purchase obligations (or pay the same amount for nothing), why would they choose to cancel their own purchase, since that would allow the other partners to cancel their own tranches without penalty? As is, the amount Spain will spend on 3B is returned thru Spain`s workshare in all Typhoons. What`s more likely is just having the 3B deliveries strung out over a longer period… which is more palatable to just about ever partner country.
(What I`d like to know is what would bringing India in as a partner mean? I think that`s usually just touted as meaningful re: level of ToT, but really India would be finding itself in a very peculiar club if it joins Eurofighter)
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On a similar note does anyone know what has happened regarding the Greek Typhoon purchases? I believe it was on hold before the recession started but I don’t know what was included in their austerity measures and what wasn’t.
As already stated, the deal was cancelled, and a new process started, since which nothing much has happened.
Given Greece`s situation, I think the chances for Gripen NG are very good.
Assuming Gripen NG doesn`t win in Brazil (very likely) or India (?), Greece could probably negotiate a VERY good local production/development agreement taking Saab`s offer to Brazil as a model (given Greece`s long-term fleet needs are similar to Brazil) . Even if Gripen NG wins in India, Greece should be in a very good situation to negotiate full participation in all Gripen NG production (possibly sans Indian market) – and if they`re smart they should negotiate full participation in ALL Gripen production, i.e. to take part in upgrades of existing Gripens. Anyway, getting away from thread topic, so let`s take that to the Greek thread if need be.
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Forgive my ignorance here, but what are the increased costs of Catapults vs. STOVL?
I`m aware Catapults have higher personnel requirements, but how much of that is due to steam generators and last-gen technology which a new Electromagnetic design (like is being considered) would not need? Certainly, Electro-Mag Cat`s seem like something very appropriate for UK-FR cooperation…
Snow MonkeyIt was something the Yemeni regime would have preferred to have covered up (it doesn`t want to admit that it`s depending on Saudi Arabia to control border area, thus the conflicting Yemeni and Saudi statements), but essentially Saudi Arabia was attacking rebel controlled areas IN COOPERATION with the Yemeni regime (not against it`s will, as `attacking Yemen` would normally suggest). Likely plenty of civilians were killed as well, but the intent was clearly to do as much damage to the rebels as possible.
Anyhow, I hardly expect western policy to change over this, since the rebel group has islamist tendencies and thus it`s pretty much seen as a good war… to the extent that the Yemeni regime is getting more funds from US/etc to prosecute the war/ strengthen it`s military/security apparatus (this is just one of the various rebellions against the Yemeni regime, others have little to do with Islamists). Just like Saudi Arabia was involved in the Yemeni Civil War previously (against forces backed by Egypt) and that received the backing of the US and Israel, this is exactly what the Saudis are expected to be doing.
Snow MonkeyLike wrightwing said, Kuwait would be getting exactly what the Saudis are getting, which is Silent Eagle without stand off weapons and what radar would be equipped (AESA or no) is undecided (???) depending on the Israeli`s sway in Washington (or if that is ultimately decided to be important to the Israelis).
So whether or not Kuwait wants to be exactly in line with the Saudis is one question, and if the latest radar isn`t made available to them (and the Saudis) that may be another factor which might promote a non-US NATO solution (Rafale). Really, the Israelis probably would be OK with allowing Kuwait AESA while not the Saudis, but that wouldn`t be acceptable for the Saudis so it`s not a realistic option.
It seems clear that the Kuwait government was interested in Rafale from the get-go, so inquiring about Silent Eagle could simply be about being able to say (to their parliament) that Silent Eagle could be available but with the weaponry / radar limitations attached, i.e. use those as the reasons for Rafale purchase (rather than appear as fiat of some prince).
Personally, I think acquiring Silent Eagle when not already an operator of F-15 doesn`t make much sense, if anything the same modifications Boeing is touting could be applied to the Super Hornet to make a ¨Silent Hornet¨, though the radar and other systems there would likely be equally problematic if Israel`s desires take #1 priority.
Snow MonkeyHi people, can we keep this thread to Rafale NEWS, pissing contests about F-35 maneuverability and what not I’m sure are VERY VERY interesting to some people but probably belong elsewhere.
Snow MonkeyPlasma stealth..:(
Every time i hear that phrase i swear i the next phrase up will be ion drive engine or cloaking device..:rolleyes:
Thrust me AI, there will be no plasma stealth feature on Pak-Fa..
When you’re imagining it as some Star-Trek invincible stealth vs. everything, I can understand that.
When one takes the actual reports as to how it’s allegedly planned to be used, i.e. turning it on for ~1 minute to shield the RCS of specific areas of the aircraft (radar, ?) it seems alot more reasonable a project, one with limited aims and alot of time in development.
Even WITH plasma turned on, who knows if PAK-FA will equal F-22 RCS in all angles… maybe so, maybe not… SO WHAT?
Snow MonkeyThe term is somewhat vague because they’re haven’t been any in-production helos designated as ‘5th gen’. But Comanche, along with Sikorksi’s X2 and Boeing/Piasecki’s high speed projects have been mooted as being ‘5th gen’. Judging from the accompanying information, it sounds like a combination of Comache stealth and X2 speed is being contemplated here.
Snow MonkeyThe new canopy is a RuAF requirement as already stated, and in fact people have already posted the ‘leaked’ contract signed for development of such canopy, so it’s development is already in progress and contractually obligated.
Snow MonkeyThanks, arturo.
It would seem the ‘lack of funding’ for IR upgrade to OSF (which UAE wants) could easily be ‘solved’ by UAE taking more of their deliveries from French factories (they want to set-up their own) which allows deferring French orders (the plan from the start) and thus keeping defense budget flat…?
The info re: 125kg/1000kg AASM makes sense, AASM is expensive enough that 125kg versions are not going to be cost-effective at all, though Sagem may well like to sell more of their guidance kits. If Rafale goes thru in Brazil, it will be interesting to see if any Brazilian weapons programs are adopted by other Rafale users, including France, if they offer good capacity/price ratio.
What is the dual air/ground missile program being discussed? Is this within joint UK/FR cooperation? Since it mentioned non-cooperative target recognition, is there plans to integrate 2-way datalink to allow missile seeker to send back information, allowing self-destruct if ROE is not met?
It seems a shame that SPECTRA development is being constrained by requirement for compatability with earliest tranches with 80’s tech and analog/digital hybrid. Nobody but France operates these earliest group, so for exports this compatability offers nothing, and given France’s own operations, there will be no lack if the earlier models’ SPECTRA is never upgraded. At least it seems they are making progress within these confines.
Snow MonkeyIf you wanted more than the two ‘shoulder’ short-range missiles, extending the shrouds the length of the wing chord to accomodate a further 2 short-range missiles, or allow longer length missiles, seems like an approach to be considered. I don’t think they’re worried about a lack of missiles, but who knows, perhaps that might be appealing for FGFA/the 2-seater?
Snow Monkey“But still no sign of side weapons bays? I don’t see them.”
the door of the under-wing small weapon bay is pretty clear in the picture 😎
Snow MonkeyThis announcement is only about a development/test engine, not a final production engine.
In other words, exactly like development engine used for the in-development Tejas, or Rafale and most other planes. Nobody buys an in-development engine for use as a test engine while the final engine itself is being developed, that would defeat the whole point. Price is really secondary if you know Japan, and as a test engine it will not be procured in large amounts anyways.
The question is really what is Japan trying to do with this project as a whole as well as the engine specifically.
Clearly it would be cheaper and have as good or better performance if they partnered with an existing engine builder to develop a next-gen design or advanced version of current engine, and if that’s the case the question is if they are looking to find a test-engine provider who would also partner with them in this regard. If they’re going to the trouble to develop their own engine from scratch, I don’t see why they don’t aim for a F136-class engine, but perhaps Pratt/ GE+RR may not be willing to transfer enough tech. Then again, if they are developing their own from scratch the idea of 2 engine redundancy might be re-assuring.
Snow MonkeyHopefully this is an indigenous development then, rather than espionage against FR/UK?
Really? Who cares if it was product of espionage. :rolleyes:
…That was some mild ironic humor given French and UK subs managed to run into each other even with this alleged capability 😉
Snow Monkeythe french it seems have similar sat based capability to detect subs
Hopefully this is an indigenous development then, rather than espionage against FR/UK? 😉
@Austin, hear any news about Rus-M, Angara or PPTS?
Snow MonkeyI’m sure Iran was glad to hear all the technical problems have been solved… :rolleyes:
Snow MonkeySupposedly the “next generation” of Mesma (essentially a hybrid fuel-cell system) should have even better submerged endurance than the current system or HDW’s fuel cell, and this will probably be available in the time-line needed.
I think DCNS/Thales Australia has good chances for any replacement, but I think a significant factor no matter which bidder is how they address automation and crew load reduction.
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