The sad truth is that a navalized Eurofighter would require a far longer timescale than the JSF and would been even more costly on a per unit basis.

Is it even feasible to modify exsisting fighter design for naval purpose rather than just purchase rafale? what is landing speed for EF compared to Rafale?

JonS, I’ll try to find the source about the lesser fuel capacity of the Su-27K/33. I’m not knowledgeable about the details but I’d speculate that the slightly shorter wing span, wing folding mechanisms, in-flight refueling mechanism, shortened rear boom and the structural reinforcements would be the causes of the lesser fuel capacity.

Never seen figure of 6.5 tons for max internal fuel, always seen it quoted as 9 tons+ so was wondering where you got that figure from. Because those changes shouldn’t affect its max fuel that much. Because mig-29k can carry 5tons+ internal fuel similar to mig-29smt.

What is the payload (in weight) of the Su-33 when operating from Adm. Kuznetsov?

The su-33 operating from Adm kuz are purely for Air superiority there are some limtation on amount of payload it can take of from Adm Kuz. (MTOW is about 30 tons as opposed 34 tons IIRC as if that matters since it doesn’t carry munitions).

^ ESSM, there is even video of it taking out Supersonic drones (Talos?). Anyway the best way to kill ashm is thru soft kill mechanism, to date the best sucess any nation has had against ashm was what israel did to the Arab’s Styx ashm thru the use of ECM.

currently on of the hotly debated topic is hizb. actually manufacturing these missiles in lebanon as the confict is ongoing? There already reports of missiles evolving in terms of range and warhead supporting this claim. Just a few mins ago afula was hit by new type of katyusha strengthening this theory.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153292020774&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

Let me guess its gonna have billion dollar per aircraft price tag.

And that looks nothing like a 9M317.

Look here:

http://pvo.guns.ru/pvo/naval/m22_9m317.htm

Thats the current image of ks-172 so i suspect its based or incoporates features from 9m317me the current variant.

Russia moves to vertical-launch Shtil
“The new launch technique has required drastic changes to the configuration of the missile. The long-chord wings have been replaced by vestigial fixed surfaces located not on the missile centrebody but near the rear of the airframe just ahead of the cruciform tail surfaces. These fixed surfaces may be intended to control the airflow passing the tail fins. The latter move to steer the missile – the same control scheme used on the 9M38 – but are folded to allow the round to be stored in the container/launcher”

Originally it was thought to be a 9M96 derivative of some sort.

I don’t know what missile people are looking at if they think the KS-172 and 9M317 look alike.

Because of this image?
http://www.strategycenter.net/imgLib/20050912_9a.jpg