A metal propeller goes out the window, Tu-95 is infamous about having a RCS equal to a ship.
It will depend greatly if a propeller can be made in a suitable material, but it would still be sub-optimal

– The prop does not hve to be made out of metallic material (think about LP fan technologies for other jet engines)

– The lateral pods that are hanged bellow the wings masks the the rotating motion of the prop

– The prop give more easy contribution to low IR visibility (and acoustic) than a jet hence lower overall weight and maximized cruise range with a better endurance when you hve to fly low do identify individuals

– What is more interesting here are the pointy wing’s tips and how similar they are to the Boeing design as was shown on the pic posted sometimes ago by BiO

I think you are absolutely right but we are talking about a platform that will fly almost daily during the next 40 years. That fact only left a lot of potential savings on operating cost in the balance. And it’s not like the US haven’t already built a flying wing before.

Exotic would have been an oblique flying wing :rolleyes:

Something like that, although much has taken place from the time the Wedgetail radar was developed…I would like an open competition for the cheapest and most capable radar and sub systems/mission systems.

My bet will be for a flying wing with conformal radar and optionally piloted (no operator on board).

Sources?

Also I wasn’t aware the Su-30MKM had anything to do with debt payback.

Complete fail from myself. I was wrong. It seems I mixed with another Asian country but can’t remember wich one. My source was a review on either AFM or AI but as I don’t hve my archives with me it’s does not help.

Thx for correcting me TR1

-1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvzIOgylEnE

That’s official now: the T-50 is the selected mount of Master Yoda and the Jedi league.

Understanding which way that plane is flying is becoming more and more mind-twisting. In 20 years, kids will laugh at our old-fashioned expressions like: line of path, AoA, pitch rate, post-stall… But you’ve got it alrdy I guess

Thx Teer for your very detailled reply.

I think that your are in a better position than me to judge this ongoing story. So I will refrain to reply on that very subject untill we know more and what did happend really.

And let BAe Screw up yet another project? I’d rather not 😛

At least that MPA would hve sunk something :rolleyes:

Its not just the immediacy of the issue argument, the point is that a deliberately high PSQR was issued to HAL, which would have resulted in HAL taking a long time to develop the aircraft, that was then used to push for an OTS import, for which, conveniently, the PSQR was diluted across the board – not just in 1,2 areas, to literally favour the PC-7 (the fact that the ASR literally matches the specs of the PC-7 in some areas is note worthy). That combined with the manner in which IAF routinely attacks HAL & other DPSUs in public fora, while not acknowledging any of its own mistakes in procurement or local programs – that just reeks of high handed arrogance and the attitude, that they can get away with any “trick” to basically game the procurement per their fancy. In the past, the IAF did much the same with several other programs, and the attitude of some folks in AHQ (who advise the CAS) is particularly atrocious. (Remember advice given to a CAS to not even attend the LCA’s first flight – this sort of politicking is unacceptable and leads to dysfunctional relationships).

I don’t know but isn’t the IAF the customer and HAL the furnisher (pronounce the comply-er)?

All those political diatribe sounds strange from where I stand. That they modified the requierment in order to get quick delivery of a plane that will be cheaper, save students live and is basic enough to be introduced without prob by the services sounds absolutly raisonable. Frankly I wish more services would hve the balls to do that.

For the accusing part of the article, let’s wait and see how will react the justice administration.