Gorshkov, due to its hangar space limitations might be able to carry 20-30 fixed wingers and 8 helos. That is a very optimistic prediction. I would be surprised to see it carrying more than 16-20 fixed wingers. Gorshkov will be an operational PITA for the IN with hardly the reward that one would expect from operating a 45,000+ ton carrier.

I do agree with Ankush about the Gorshkov being an expedient choice. It was either that or no carrier.

Joey, regarding the IAC, just be thankful that the original design wasn’t built. The original design called for a 18k ton STOVL carrier 😮

Of course in the 90s, when the IAC was being designed, India wasn’t a trillion dollar economy either. As the economy grows, so will the country’s ambitions. 😉

For the amount of money and time that this deal is taking from conception to delivery, a Euro SY could have built a purpose designed and built carrier for the IN with ToT for an Indian yard.

At the end of the day, the IN gets a semi capable carrier with Mig-29Ks that were forced down their throat and no transfer of technology to build carriers or its aircraft at home. On top of that, the Russians managed to stall the IAC construction by jacking up the cost of the steel. :rolleyes:

The only way this deal makes sense is if the IN shelled out for this deal as a prerequisite for a more urgent and strategic deal. Only time will tell.

Thanks RonaldV, that’s good info.

What about F-16 or F-15’s engine ?

Neither the F-16 nor the F-15 have compressor faces directly visible from the frontal arc as much as the Mig-29 and Su-27 family.

Probably, but it is still a rather dirty solution from a signature reduction point of view.

I don’t think those fairing designs had any sig control intentions. Those fairings will blend into the hardpoints which will hold the weapon rail and then the weapon. That fairing will contribute next to nothing in terms of RCS compared to weapon and rail combo.

Here’s an article to go along with the AEW&C pic:

[url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/02/13/212066/bangalore-air-sh… air show: India progresses AEW&C scheme[/url]
Embraer offers Delhi technical assistance in integrating mission systems, while pitching ERJ-145 as the platform

India is slowly progressing its plans to indigenously develop an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) mission system with some technical assistance from Embraer, which is pitching to supply its ERJ-145 regional jet as the platform.

The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems laboratory is leading the project, says M Natarajan, scientific adviser to the Indian defence minister.

“After detailed and thorough analysis, a baseline configuration has been evolved and finalised,” said Natarajan in a speech to the Aerospace Technologies – Challenges and Opportunities seminar held in conjunction with Aero India. “The scope of the AEW&C programme is to deliver two fully qualified systems to the Indian air force as part of phase one. An additional six to eight systems are contemplated as part of phase two,” he added.

Embraer, which has sold AEW&C versions of the ERJ-145 to Brazil, Greece and Mexico, says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian government to supply the twinjet as the platform.

“Our platform has been selected to carry the Indian radar, communications and self-protection systems,” says Embraer Asia Pacific vice-president international business, defence and government markets Sergio Bellato. “We supply the platform and support the programme with our expertise. We are not supplying technology.” Bombardier says a modified version of its Global Express remains a potential platform for the AEW&C system, but it is yet to make a decision on whether to bid.

Embraer has enjoyed some sales success with the Indian military, having supplied the air force with four ERJ-135-based Legacy 600 aircraft, and the country’s border security force with one aircraft.

The Brazilian manufacturer is also bidding to supply the air force with nine Legacy-based multi-mission aircraft for personnel transport, aerial survey/mapping, target-towing and jamming duties. “The government is analysing the technical proposals,” says Bellato.

Bombardier says it may also bid for the multi-mission requirement if a request for proposals is released. Israel Aerospace Industries, meanwhile, says it is proposing a Gulftream G200-based solution.

Notice that what’s been highlighted (bolded) are quotes from named people and not just vague “high level sources.” Also, note that the originators of the quotes are in fact high level sources 😀

Indian AEW&C aircraft under development. Bombardier might also want to bid as the platform. This project should deliver 8-10 aircrafts over the course of its life.

Courtesy B. Harry

I wonder, if that frameless canopy opens forward like the F-35 and early models of the Mig-21.

It’s not going to be a frameless canopy, it’s a mistake by the modeller.