P.S.: Is this true, the weapons bus is going to change from MIL-STD-1760 / MIL-STD-1553B standard to STANAG 3910 fiber optics?
I know that the Typhoon already has 3910 optic fiber buses, but the weapons suspension points are 1760 compatible, not 3910.

Bye!

MIL-STD-1553B = STANAG 3838. all these designations define standards only. MIL-STD-1760 is the definition for a weapons interface bus which is essentially MIL-STD-1553B compliant. Block 20 aircraft will introduce a weapons interface bus compliant with the MIL-STD-1760E which is a fibre optic network. Block 20s also feature provisions for a new general purpose mission computer (GPMC) and the aforementioned HSDN. There are also upgrades to the generators, ECS and DASS hardware to offer more growth for future developments. The CORP programme is also a largely unknown quantity, though it has been part of the Supplement 4 contract that most know as T3A. 2.5 bln € from the 9.1 bln € Supplement 4 contract are allocated to CORP which covers development of new LRIs and SRIs to eliminate obsolescences and provide more growth. CORP as such isn’t T3 specific and elements of it are being step by step introduced on T1 and T2 aircraft.

As far as T3B is concerned the decision window is closing. The core nations won’t opt for it, but a major export contract may lead to T3B or not. The final 24 Saudi Typhoons and the 12 for Oman are simply a T3A extension that means that 136 aircraft are built under T3A acc. current contracts. A dedicated production block is induced for Oman.

As far as the Captor-E is concerned the radar might be qualified first for P1Eb on T3A and requalified for T2 later. Implementation is possible at various standards, but the core nations will likely integrate it post P2E. An earlier integration is proposed for export customers only.

One interesting thing about recent EADS comments on Tranche 3 : Provision for fast speed datalink…

Should read high speed data network. It’s a complimentary fibre optic data network to cope with future data transfer rate requirements.

Is the delay not in part because the Saudis wanted to change part of the order to tranche 3? I haven’t followed it but deliveries of aircraft leaving warton have been documented for a while now.

According original plans the Saudis should have received 72 T2 examples, 48 of which were meant to be locally manufactured. The deal has been changed since and all A/C are now being manufactured at Warton. A repair and maintenace centre is being set up instead of the assembly line and the final 24 aircraft will be block 25C from the third tranche.

No, I mean the oldie analogue cockpit (Photo Nr.15)

That’s a Su-33 cockpit which is distinguishable on that pic by three features:
1.) The glide slope indicator as mentioned by Frankey
2.) The variometer that only indicates vertical speed and no turn rates
3.) The new RWR display that must have been introduced with the SPO-29/L-150 RWR

Do any of you ever sit back and read your posts then think to yourself…man…”I’m just making stuff up because in reality I don’t know anything other than what’s publicly available (which is sometimes hard to verify the accuracy of) and thus I sound like a complete ass on the forum?”

I like a good debate as much as the next person, but the “debates” on this forum these days are just people basically propping up whatever flying machine best suits their fancy. I look back on the early years I came to this forum (well over a decade ago) and I’m embarrassed by some of the ignorant things I said. Unless some of you work for Lockheed or Sukhoi directly or you have some other direct role in the development of these aircraft, I can assure you…..you have no idea what you don’t know. I’ve learned that lesson many times over in my career. Being humble and not stating something as a fact when you have no idea of its credibility goes a long way toward people taking what you say seriously.

I’m not trying to be a jerk, but rather this is a plea for some sanity to be introduced back on this forum. I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as I used to because these discussions dominate the main page nowadays, and they have for quite some time. Whatever happened to just discussing items in the news (military aviation news that is) or perhaps just admiring a particular type and discussing (rationally) features about it that you like or don’t like? Perhaps a random educational thread now and again for those who may not know much about a given type (as in realiable sources information…not speculation that is claimed to be fact).

I’m sorry to barge in on this thread, but given the number of hits it’s getting I’m hoping at least one or two people will at least pause for a minute and think about what they are about to post. I’m sure I’ll get a few replies telling me to just leave if I don’t like it here, but the truth is that there is a wealth of knowledge here in some ways so I keep coming back hoping to learn something new every time I visit. Sadly, that has proven to be rare in the last year or two…

As there is no “like button”, I’ll say it directly. LIKE. Unfortunately such words are lost and remain unheard.

Maybe something more relevant to this thread:

DGA Takes Delivery of 1st Aircraft of Rafale Lot 4

(Source: French defence procurement agency, DGA; issued Sept. 19, 2013)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

Dassault has handed over to DGA Rafale B339, the first production European fighter to be fitted with an AESA electronically scanned radar, as well as other upgraded sensors. (Dassault photo)
PARIS — The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) took delivery on September 12, 2013 of the first aircraft of the fourth production tranche of the Rafale program. The sixty aircraft of this production lot are all fitted as standard with next-generation sensors, namely the RBE2 Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar with active antenna, the new-generation missile launch detector (DDM NG) and the new front sector optronics “Identification and Telemetry.”

The Rafale is the first European combat aircraft in service to benefit from AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, which significantly improves the detection range. It is the culmination of over 10 years of R & D efforts on active antennas. The aircraft, which is the 121st production Rafale to be delivered, is a two-seater variant carrying the French air force registration B 339. It will deploy in coming days to the flight trials unit at Mont-de-Marsan airbase.

The Rafale is the first omnirole fighter aircraft; that is to say it can, during the same sortie, carry out different types of missions, such as ground attack and air defense. Totally versatile, the Rafale can carry out the full range of missions that can be assigned to a fighter: air superiority and air defense; attack of land and naval targets; close air support of ground troops; reconnaissance, and nuclear strike. It is also the first aircraft designed from the outset to operate both from a land base and from an aircraft carrier. It is operated by the French Air Force and Navy.

To date, 180 production aircraft have been ordered by the DGA, and 121 have been delivered in its three versions: 38 shipborne Rafale “Ms” for the Navy, and 39 Rafale “B” two-seaters and 44 Rafale C single-seaters for the air force. The Rafale has been deployed for combat operations in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali.

The main industrial contractors for the Rafale program are Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran and MBDA.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/148102/dassault-delivers-first-lot-4-production-rafale.html

Concerning the reaerwards facing radar. It’s not confirmed, but the size of the radome is telling. For a dedicated jammer it’s too big and where is the counterpart to cover the frontal hemisphere? AESAs may serve the purpose of a jammer as well, so what a about a rearwards facing AESA radar with built in EA capability as is proposed for the N-036 radar complex in general? Someone asked for what a rearwards facing radar is good, well the T-50 won’t zip around at high altitudes and supersonic speeds all time and given that the KS-U appears to be a dedicated MWS instead of an EODAS like system it’s feasible to use a radar for rear hemispherical coverage in close in scenarios in particular to obtain a firing solution to adequately support LOAL capable AAMs well into the rear hemisphere. It would be a waste IMO to use a huge rearwards facing, dedicated jammer when you have none in the front where it certainly matters more!