Isn’t it what some tell us since years already, that the radar of the Rafale is not its most important sensor, but just one and that the aircraft primarily relies on its passive sensing systems?;)

@BW
I think that you underestimate the importance of radar systems and overestimate the capabilities of optical systems. Furthermore adding countless arrays, but eliminating the front radar is counter productive. An optical sensor would lack the weather “independent” performance of the radar, it’s in most cases much more inaccurate and unlikely to provide the quantity and quality of radar data. On top of that it would lack a lot of capabilities! EA, COM, SAR, terrain following etc.

No idea how good the JRDRAM will be, but the concept itself is a good one. Combining a BVR missile with multimode seeker and ARM capability and possibly adapt it to destroy vehicles as well would be a nice and flexible weapon with long range and excellent reaction times.

@TMor
A dedicated ARM (alternatively a Multirole missile like JDRADM) would offer greater range and speed and could allow the aircraft to launch from a greater distance. In a multilayer threat environment such long range systems might be complemented by short range/low altitude defences which would pose a serious threat for low flying aircraft. Low altitude is no guarantee for success and the greater the distance you can shoot the safer you are. Take into account that it’s not two aircraft vs one isolated SAM. These aircraft might be threatened by a number of SAMs and enemy interceptors possibly bolstered by AWACS, though they may have support on their own side as well, but the offensive is ever linked with problems especially in a scenario China vs. India.

That’s certainly true, but the probability of more electrical power with more powerful engines is in the end greater. I didn’t insist that there is 20% more electrical power due to the additional thrust either.

Now now… TWR is nowhere near 20% better though.

Nic

I said the engine is 20% more powerful, not that the aircraft’s TWR is 20% better and we are talking about the impact on power generation here and not about the TWR.;)

There , I am going to put forward my opinion .

In such a case it is useful to add phrases like “IMO/IMHO”, “I think”, “I believe”, “I could imagine” or something like this. This helps to avoid confusion.

While there is enough room to implement that many TRMs on the swasplate , I wonder where they will get the power from to run the radar … :confused:
To fully use the radar , the Typhoon would need to use something like 15-20kW (!) , depending on the GaAs MMICS used . Here , we also have to take into account the cooling system .

These are certainly valid concerns. I think ~15 kW should be possible, maybe more. Thus far there are little data out there at all so all we could do is guessing in the one or other direction.

Now , Thalès said that to boost the RBE2-AA output power from 9,6kW to 14kW , only a new cooling pump was needed , meaning that the actual electrical system could cope to such demand .
Is the Typhoon ‘s electrical system capable to provide up to 5,000-6,000 more Watts than the Rafale ? :confused:

And General Silvy said an upgrade of the electrical system is necessary. It could mean both.
While I wouldn’t want to make a guess wrt how much more power the electrical systems on the Typhoon could generate in comparison to the Rafale, the fact that the engines are at least 20% more powerful is certainly an advantage.

but you might be surprised to learn that an all-solid state ECM suite was actually adopted from day one.

It’s quite possible that a new antenna design was introduced, I recall reading that Tranche 2 would see the addition of a “polarisation diverse antenna”. The DASS employs quite a few different antenna types, but this may possibly refer to a duel polarisation configuration phased array as is currently seen employed on the ALQ-703.

Yes I figured it out form there and it was indeed surprising. New antennas are to be introduced with the P1E upgrade and appear to be ready for testing now.