[…] U-2 solely used #4 only to be shot down by SAMs. […]

U2 have mapped nearly the entire USSR closely better than any soviet assets at the time.

Hardly a sign of failure for an intruder 😉 Oh yes the Soviets did come up with an answer to that
but Kelly got free hands for the next iteration.

… And by the way… Gary DID survive. What is an exceptional achievement in term of (courage of course) and engineering achievement at the time.

For the rather good rest of your post… Generalization is a temptating difficult exercise 😉 I have read far worst (even from my self). :eagerness:

Very interesting TomcatViP. Admittedly I was thinking more of UAV design, but the link to the post F22 fighter competition got me to thinking about some design similarities between the Boeing FAXx design artwork and Taranis. Either way, this layout isn’t one which looks optimised for low speed loitering and perhaps it is a genuine feeder programme for a Rafale/Typhoon successor/compliment.

Certainly easier to make that jump with Taranis than it is with nEUROn for me.

Interesting. Do you see BAe 21st going down the same path as for the Kestrel in the 60’s ? 😉 Frankly I will be delighted to see that.

Coanda.

Do that at Mach 0.9.

Syrian rebels to get antiaircraft missiles from Saudis – report

Souce:
GlobalSecurity.org
http://www.VoiceofRussia.com

Interestingly, no US tech.

Once again a quick solving of the conflict is swept further away with disdain (UN have recently re-assessed the body count to more than 140k).

I don’t said those are unique revolutionary 5th gen features … or whatever you called it.
I only say that professional studies indicate that the enhanced C/D Hornet is not able to perform certain tasks as well as the Rafale F3. This is fact.
F/A-18E/F is a different fighter, and it is much more comparable to the Rafale/Eurofighter than enhanced Hornet in many areas ( sensor fusion, AESA radar, reduced RCS, EW, etc).

When I wrote “Enhanced Hornet”, I was not referring to any C/D version in production. It was a “what if” case build around the capabilities unique to the E/F in a C/D type of platform in terms of size and dynamics. But enhanced. Call it a H/I or whatever will suit the case.

@Hallow: I have never written anywhere that the Raf is subpar or equal to a 1980+ Hornet. You’d have outpaced your own thought ? [/JokeMode=OFF] [RunAwayMode=NOx] 😉

@Andraxxus : I enjoyed reading your posts.

The M2K turn rate makes me wonder why the IAF didn’t ask for an AL31F or a F119 plugged on the back of the Mirage… Given the price of the upgrade…. Oh wait… You probably forgot to factor the thrust at alt where the antiquated M53 still has something to say in pair with the old Delta wing 😉

I won’t be surprised if the IAF’s M2K pilots are the first converting to the PakFA.

India’s procurement process is what it is. It was clear when invitations to enter the bidding process were sent out. All potential suppliers entered into it with their eyes open. No point complaining about how long it is taking now.

Of course I’m sure, they will either succeed or fail – is there any other outcome you think can happen?

Like science, remote medicine, Earth observation, mapping, geographic data, erosion patterns, mass education, cyclone prediction, weather forecasts, distance learning, telecommunications for remote areas, internet to the masses, radio, TV? These are things for which India does not depend on anyone, and in the process ISRO earns its keep (IIRC the Mars mission cost less than last years earnings of Antrix Corp. ISRO’s commercial arm).

These happened because science was done as technology was researched and experimented with, all the while ignoring the sarcastic comments of gutter-inspectors.

Quite plainly it’s not you. 😉

Shalav,

Eu is a very old minded country. Don’t take all the BS talks as being representative of what the majority of ppl think. Look at the polls, the general trend in the press and make your own mind (ok not the most favorable time for such a comparison 😉 )

What I am trying to tell is that what imports is what the guy tuning this special EW component think about India, what the guy repaneling that side of the airframe think about Indians or what the guys packing that sensitive spare part have in mind when he is thinking about Bangalore…

The rest we don’t care.

India have an opportunity with the Raf. If it’s not MD, then there is plenty other airplane manufacturer around to please IAF. You don’t have to loose scarce time or squadrons numbers with futile or even pseudo philosophical questions.

Buy or discard.