in that regard I’m interested in the active defence systems being introduced to tanks, like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyiRQsEroSc

Trophy works because of it’s faster kinetics reaction time that render the speed at which the vehicle moves negligible and the speed of the incoming rocket marginal.

If we are talking about an A2A usage, then the speed of a Mach 2 approaching missile is no more marginal as would be the speed of the carrying platform.

There is no other way than the laser or a high energy beam (in which category the Laser is the easiest answer).

A HTK launched from an egressing plane at, let’s say, M1.6 will require a tremendous data linking capability as well as an enormous sensor agility for the launched missile. Think that regarding to a ballistic or a cruise missile missile, an HTK launcher is stationary or nearly stationary. IMOHO the plane fitted with an HTK will lead to a new order of magnitude in problems to be solved. I don’t see any interest going that way.

[…]

I think most people agree that India is doing ‘too much’, the disagreement lies in locating the excess. Personally I think it is AMCA that is misplaced: it is too soon with Tejas still unproven, there is still no engine and there is no indication that it has been designed with carrier compatibility in mind.
[…]

If the AMCA stay a demonstrator, it’s not too early. It’s the right time. Then India will have the entire Eu and non-DoD funded manufacturer to partner on equal terms for a 5+ Gen (Stealth plus increased dynamics).

If HAL is serious about building it for the IAF, it will probably be another Marut.

Taiwan and Rafale?

Giving the no-go for the F16 upgrade from the DoD, doesn’t anyone see a runway opening for the French jet?

-> One or two squadron in leasing for immediate service entry (standard F2 (reliqua) or F3 not converted to R)
-> First couple of example built in Fr
-> Following example built in India with a gradual indigenous (In/Tw) avionics upgrades

Need b***s of course

But everyone will be happy (MD, the Indian (strategically and their industries), the Asians countries heated-up recently by the ADIZ will see gladly the tension deported for a while from their shoulders and (my own guess) the… US.

Time to brush-up the placards, take one or two Indian official on board and deploy the big circus down there.

Obviously, the politcal side of the equation will have to agree from now to get a free residence on a Martin-Baker seat.

Sadly, vaccines effects are vanishing with the time…

Regarding the topic, sry Mack8 but after reading the first three lines, enough was enough.

You do realise your quoting a man formerly President of Lockheed?

Yeah you’re right but when I read that:
Too much was promised too soon.

I see a general trend in the industry (same quote from EADS manager on the A400 prog – and perhaps someone will come forward with an identical quote from one of the top exec involved in the PAK-FA)

And as a personal point of view, most of what he said makes sense!

We are now at the 100th anniversary of the bloody battle of WWI… And that we have to read the above… (
head shaking)

http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/resources/casdeath_pop.html

Sorted by percent dead of total Mobilized

Dead % Wounded % Missing/PoW %
Rumania 44.76% 16.00% 10.67%
France 16.36% 50.73% 6.39%
Germany 16.12% 38.33% 10.48%
Austria-Hungary 15.38% 46.41% 28.21%
Russia 14.17% 41.25% 20.83%
Italy 11.58% 16.87% 10.69%
Turkey 11.40% 14.04% 8.77%
Great Britain 10.20% 23.47% 2.15%
Bulgaria 7.29% 12.70% 2.25%
Portugal 7.22% 13.75% 12.32%
Serbia 6.36% 18.82% 21.62%
Montenegro 6.00% 20.00% 14.00%
Belgium 5.14% 16.74% 12.98%
US 2.89% 5.38% 0.10%
Greece 2.17% 9.13% 0.43%
Japan 0.04% 0.11% 0.00%

Source: http://www.worldwar1.com/tlcrates.htm

And last… to get a sense of their relative involvement relative to their own history:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf

Thx Sanem.

Just a quick remark regarding tail seatters: they are not that great in windy condition (wing in a sail geometry)… And a ship at sea is always in windy condition with a lot of turbulence.

Do we see a general trend surfacing?

:rolleyes: