Unless you cram a UCAV with RHAWs and sensors then you need some form of off platform SA. In other words you need JSTARs and AWACS and other bits and bobs to make sure someone doesn’t just fly up next to that 6 million dollar UCAV with 6 one million dollar AMRAAMs on board in a helo, lean out the window and shoot you down with a PK general purpose machinegun.
If you do cram it with all those sensors then the cost of the UCAV will not be hugely different from a manned aircraft to buy. Ownership costs could be reduced by training the “pilots” with light RPVs and keeping the real UCAV in a sealed plastic wrap that you rip open when you go to war.

But Garry what about the situation where the guiding aircrafts(AWACS) themselves get involved in mess? So wouldn’t that make UCAVS orphan and alone ?I am saying this because the way current Radar & BVR Missiles development is taking place I dont think AWACS advantage would stay for long! Think about AWACS killer missiles!?

Thanks

They are used mainly in A-G missions. With a small A-A load (6 missiles) you don’t need more than 5000 kg (internal +2×370 gal ext. tanks)
__________________

Well proposed Russian Upgrades on Su-27 in volves RCS reduction and other advanced avionics I dont remember the recent link I read but here’s an old info about it

Su-27BM Russian Update: First stage is new radar with SS mode and AA-12 capability from early 2001 to Su-27S. Second stage will add inflight refuelling probe and possibly Sapson (Peregrine Falcon) laser designator/FLIR targeting pod. Engine thrust is planned to be increased from 2002 to 12500 – 13800 kg and further increased to 14500 –15000 kg from 2004. A conformal pod for carrying AAM and reduced RCS is also planned (Use Vsmall from front with AAM pod). TIP mounted L005S jammer pods (3rd Gen J&D) are also planned, along with eventual towed decoys (4th Gen J&D). 70-80 are to be updated from 2002 (however only 30 were funded, planned for 2002-2003 upgrade).

If they were thinking about buying Rafales, then why not just take the Rafale’s radar and throw it into their FLANKER?

Rafale’s radar is shorter in range compared with Bars. While Rafale will not need a longer range radar because its much smaller RCS (compared with Flanker)

cru I found out an intresting quote orginally written by GarryB in MKK vs Rafale thread..

An A-4 Skyhawk has a lower radar cross section than an F-14… I guess the Skyhawk will detect the Tomcat before the Tomcat will detect the Skyhawk…

Larger aircraft tend to have larger radars… this means potentially better radar range than with smaller radars.

Lava.. you are inviting flame.. please refrain from using words like ‘dirty’… etc.. etc..

Himanshu
I havent meant to use derogratory word against FC-1 nor I intend to(Simply because I dont like to disregard other people’s hardwork.. I wish them best of luck!)! What I was trying to explain that India did not follow China/Pakistan example( Hey ! Let the plane fly first.. Later on see we will see about upgradation & Enhacement! ) simply because India had learnt its lesson while development of Marut…that better use Indegenize parts as far as possible instead of relying on outside help on later stages..U must remember how good project like Marut suffered due to lack of good engines! Thats why India is taking special care & pain this time that KAVERI is developed !!

If Group A would get over the idiotic idea that anything associated with Pakistan has to be inferior, and Group B would get over the idiotic idea that anything associated with India has to be inferior, we’d have a much better forum.

SOC 🙂
I have no illusion as such that someone’s army is inferior or my country’s army is superior! If u read my signature I am simply here to hear things, learn things about my first love military aviation! But I cant stand when other guy
say nasty things about my motherland or my people! Hope as u said I have to develop a thick skin! I look forward to learn things from u guys! I’ll be glad if u help me in acquiring knowledge !

Thanks

Thanks Bhairav For the Info!! I got info from my friend,local Sewa Bharti & NSS friends are also oraganizing funds! I’ll be contacting them soon!! Hope my friends in south are Okay!
Let us pray for peace to departed souls!:(

seems like LAVA is exploding..but plz dont cause flame tsunamis here (back in the days they use to call spam tsunamis on IRC ;-), not related to recent ones ok.)

And Phrozen Flame being Extinguished!! :rolleyes:

Blah Blah…..Rant rant.. make sure it’s from credible source, else it’ll take 30 years to confirm.

*u* U mean AFM is Not Credible????? 😮