Sorry but the F-35 carries A LOT more fuel than its weight & aerodynamics require to match its “competators'” flight endurance & range (the F-35A has plenty of flight endurance & range to spare vs its “competators”). The F-35A doesn’t weigh THAT much more than its “competators” but can carry more fuel INTERNALLY than they can with THREE external tanks (take a wild guess how much weight & drag those external tanks add – not to mention taking up three hardpoints).

The F/A-18, Mig-29/35, Rafale & Typhoon all have TWO engines & generally speeking, one engine providing a given amount of thrust is more effecient than two providing the same amount – that is why all but the largest airliners now have two engines instead of four (the 777-200LR & 777-300ER have “just” two engines with 115,300 lbs of trust each).

All you need to do is show me the combat radii of each fighter relative to their fuel capacity.

F-16C = 500 to 600 nm

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=103

F-35 = over 600 nm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/jsf-specs.htm

Typhoon = 750nm (air to air)

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-2242.html

look at the ratios man (fuel fraction), it’s not even close

F-35 weighs 2350 lbs more than the EF yet it carries 8400 lbs more fuel

Su-30MK weighs 12400 lbs more than the F-35 yet it only carries 2400 lbs more fuel

So you’re saying that RAND assuming 50% internal fuel capacity for the F-35 is wrong? Its common to assume 50% or 60% internal fuel capacity as the dogfight weight of the aircraft.

Carrying more fuel does not mean anything about how the plane consumes fuel.

Yes Scooter, if you have a higher empty weight, you should assume a higher burn rate to deliver that energy to transport that mass, otherwise go home and start learning basic physics. Or did the US school system failed you too? Lets add to that, with larger engines you do have to assume a higher burn rate due to the increased internal surface friction between moving parts. If the engine has to move at a higher revolution rate to generate the energy to move the increased mass, that would also add to the energy consumption. Add to that, a plane with a large internal volume is going to have surely a larger surface area as well, and that means increased surface drag.

Another problem when you do have an aircraft with an enormous internal fuel capacity, and believe me, the Flankers have this problem too, is that when you are met with a fighter that carries external fuel tanks, the other fighter can just jettison his external fuel tanks and he would be closer to his ideal dogfighting weight just like that. But if you have an enormous fuel capacity, you cannot rid of the fuel that quickly, can’t leak it off and can’t burn it fast enough. It’s a problem if you planned a long ranged mission, set the fuel accordingly, then suddenly finds opposition along the way much sooner than you anticipated.

That’s based in a 1km radius turn actually.

There is no pre-Zhuk versions of the Finback, other than an intended export model. Nothing like that ever entered the PLAAF service.

In 1995 before the F-8IIM was built, the J-8C was already developing and testing the domestic slotted array KLJ-1 radars that would eventually end up in the J-8H. This model also tested the EL-M 2034 radar from Israel, with a modern HUD and has two MFDs.

J-8B Block 2 and J-8D introduced a “fixed” version of the Type 208 radar that is capable of using the PL-11. This is the definitive earlier versions of the J-8II with the green nose. Probably what you are referring to, compared to the later, black nosed variants that could use the PL-12.

Shenzhou 7 also demonstrated the ability to launch a micro satellite.

This is a picture of Shenzhou 7 taken by the micro satellite it launched.

http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3133&d=1222907215

Melamine as a resin is actually a very durable, even fire resistant, plastic. That’s why you want that inside machines, not inside the human body.

BS. A Letter of Intent is itself, a firm commitment. That’s why its placed on paper, and its all in black and white. For that matter how many letters did Sukhoi get, you seem to be counting them as orders, and even the options are being counted as orders. The LOI itself spells a general sound plan. Although its generally not legally binding, it shows that the one who provides the LOI is firmly committed to that plan in order to convince the receiver of the LOI of the party’s intent and good faith.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-letter-of-intent.htm

Contracts, corporate buy-outs, mergers and other business matters can become very complicated and time consuming for both sides. It may take months or even years to hammer out all of the details surrounding a proposal. Meanwhile, creditors and stockholders may start to wonder if the ‘other side’ is genuinely interested in completing the process. This is the reason many company representatives draw up a ‘letter of intent’ early in the negotiating stage.

A letter of intent is a document which spells out the general plans of an individual or company involved in a business deal. If a large company plans to buy out a small manufacturing plant, for example, a letter of intent might contain a specific date for the proposed sale to take place. A letter of intent might also include plans for expansion or downsizing staff levels or rehiring employees. It is not the same as a legal contract, but an official letter of intent can be treated as a demonstration of good faith.

One of the major reasons for seeking a letter of intent from the other party is to provide investors with tangible proof of the deal or potential takeover. It is not unusual in the business world to make or receive numerous offers for lucrative deals or contracts. Most of these informal maneuvers never materialize into real agreements. Having a letter of intent allows a company to arrange for additional financing or report the new development to employees and stockholders.

The term ‘letter of intent’ can also apply to other areas besides business and industry. Recruiters for collegiate sports teams will often visit prospective players at home in order to promote their school’s athletic program. Typically, a very talented athlete receives a number of these visits from rival schools. At some point before the beginning of the school year, the player must sign a letter of intent which indicates his or her future plans. Having a star prospect sign this letter of intent for a specific school is often seen as a great success for the recruiter.