data set on the Predator we know that 90% of the actual aircraft sorties were in combat.

Yes you don’t have to train an UCAS. You only have to test it operationally and ensure that it remains efficient against the threat. Supporting operators will have enough training experience via simulators or using just of few “mules”.

So the cost of ownership is down to the minimum. Hence the 90% I guess.

As Mr.Graham explicitly says, SR-71s never dared to fly over mainland China.

A12 / Nixon / SR71 😉

You certainly don’t need me to elaborate further with my poor man English.

Dear Xman,

I have no problem for fr to buy military equipment to India or Egypt. But that is called Foreign military assistance. Not sale.

And this shld be the subject of a vote at the Fr national assembly because in two years, it’s not granted that the next legislature would back-up such awkward military sales.

Oh and by the way, I have for long advocated a Fr FMS type of contract as being more in line with the Fr strategy in a modern world (endorsing local prod when there is not always enough logic or momentum in that decision).

I believe I read somewhere that L&T will tie up with Areva. Here is one article (although not the one I had read):

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-narendra-modis-france-visit-sees-arevas-nuclear-plant-agreement-with-npcil-lt/articleshow/46883874.cms

Thank you for the link.

But as Yama said, it’s a surprising move given the present difficulties with the EPR (recently flagged for the lack of securities inherent of its design (CO2 buildup (=corrosion with heat)) and the offer from the US President during his visit in India. But we are OT.

US Air Force general fired for A-10 ‘treason’ comments

In a statement, Post [the fired two stars General] said he regretted his “impromptu remarks” and “I offer my humble apology for causing any undue strain on the command and its mission.”

Now let’s see if the US congress will push the USAF to reinstate him in the next budget 😮

@Twinblade: Thank you!*

Getting to 14 in 2016 seems a bit ambitious doesn’t it?

[…]
There are long-lead items that would need to be ordered and we are already well into 2015. The production ramp probably couldn’t start until 2017 at the earliest.

Not that much. You have to understand that the assembly line is not that really an assembly line like you can see at Boeing,r LM or Airbus (civilian). Ramping up is then more a matter of space and manpower. Dassault doesn’t lack any of that, thanks to a long history started in cramped workshops soon buried in urban development and… the massive Unemployment that Fr faces and has accustomed itself (characterized by a massive rate of qualified workers).

For parts and sub components, most sub-contractor are not exclusively working with MD and have capacities covering a wide range of customer. But we might see the availability of some parts being stretched beyond a sustainable level for critical items.

So, what concerns me the most is
– spare part that will have a marked effect on availability of the Fr AF when the Adla is engaged on a very aggressive tempo (there no way that Dassault will let Egypt or India suffer from it before the order are completely fulfilled). Let see if FrAF open some diversification to tackle with that.
– “Quality” (non conformity in fact) that could lead to increased cost during lifetime.
– Delay that might affect other program (5x, 7x etc…)

I have always said that an aggressive ramp-up is better than a slow and progressive augmentation of prod (slow before then fast). We will quickly see what is the strategy chosen. The experience to deal with similar challenge was there at least some years ago (the Mirages 5 and F1).

But surely, there is more in that story. Lets’ see what comes next.

Does it involves some kind of financial backing like with Egypt ?

Also @USS Novice: where is that nuclear deal with Areva? Do you have a link. Thx in advance.

You wld be really surprised… For ex, most Audi are draggier than an average Ford*. A 90’s Ford Probe (the best Cd ever in its class) was far less draggy than an expensive Ferrari.

Have a quick look here

I however do agree with what you say that aerodyn is more intuitive than any RCS evaluation (unless you work at Northrop advanced design department of course). But…. There are but (wave drag, heat and plasma for ex).

Just look at the 35, it will be years before our internet experts understand the basis of its formula… Or probably the web will be devoid of any Porn before Sweetman admits his lack of common sense.

*Excluding SUV and alike of course!