IRST detection of a head-on target is for a plane, not a missile. A plane is a MUCH larger target and heats up more due to friction.

Precisely the “E”? Anti ship.
The “K” is a diferent story.

The “E” is the lead developmental airframe for UAI. As such it can carry the JSOW, JASSM, and any future ASMs that gets UAI. All the E’s have been updated with Blk1 UAI functionality.

Show me where it (IRST) is operationally used as an MLD first.

A MAWS might get you a 5-10km heads-up to an inbound AAM coming in on a high-arching attack.

Not much time to do much.

At 10km, a descending AAM going m2 will hit you in 15 seconds.

On the RedFlag issue, I was speaking of the F-35B, not the A. Here ar a few reasons why I think it will happen by 2015.

–The USMC’s first Operational Sqdn just stood up next door at Yuma. They will have all their F-35Bs by the end of the year.
–The USMC is eager to get the F-35B to IOC and demonstrate it’s capabilities (makes it a smaller target for budget cutters).
–The USMC’s center for developing F-35B combat tactics is also in Yuma.
–The JPO has used surrogate aircraft (BAC1-11, CATB, Falcon, etc) at several joint exercises (Red Flag, Bold Alligator, etc) and would jump at the chance to fully utilize the networked capabilities of multiple F-35Bs.

On the question of the Aim-120D
–In the Red Flag plan above, they will likely be Aim-120C7
–The Aim-120D will be IOC within the year. Not known if the Aim-120D will make it into Blk3 or Blk4.
–ATK is on contract (Sep 2009) to deliver technologies related to a new AMRAAM motor in 2013. Range improvements, lighter weight, more energetic propellents, multi-pulse motor, etc were part of the plan.
–IMHO the above motor will form the basis of the Aim-120D+ (next block of D)
–The key benefits of the 120D that allow for a greater range and NEZ are it’s high, arching flight profile. The 120D has a GPS assisted INS. This allows the 120D to know precisely where the target is as long as the datalink is active and to know precisely where it is. This allows for better target & interception prediction leading to a more efficient arching flight profile. Also, because of the better target prediction & interception it can go active much later than previous AMRAAMs. This would allow the 120D to use more power for it’s seeker (if it has this capability to vary the power) while using the same battery size. Going active later in the intercept (vs previous AMRAAM versions) gives the target less time to deploy countermeasures. The two-way datalink will allow the AMRAAM to communicate it’s status ensuring a better intercept. Lastly, an arching profile is better because it can use gravity to recover maneuver energy and because the target will present a larger RCS when viewed from above rather than head-on.

Thanks ob, my bad.

Postpone =/= Cancel

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130111/DEFREG04/301110015/Turkey-Postpones-Order-Its-First-Two-F-35-Fighters?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

ANKARA — Turkey said Jan. 11 it has postponed an order to purchase its first two U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets due to technical problems and rising costs, but said it still intends to buy 100 more in the long run.

“Due to the current state of the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) … and the rising cost … it was decided to postpone the order placed on Jan 5, 2012, for the two aircraft,” the Undersecretariat for Defence Industry (SSM) said in a statement.

The SSM, the public body responsible for Turkey’s arms purchases, said the decision was taken because the technical capabilities of the aircraft were ”not at the desired level yet.”

After the initial purchase of the two jets, Turkey plans to order 100 units of the stealth fighter to replace its current fleet consisting mainly of F-4 Phantoms and F-16 Falcons, according to the statement.

Looks like they want their initial planes at Blk3F (IOC), not Blk2 as they would be if ordered now.

IIRC Turkey is not part of the IOT&E program so they would not need Blk2B jets.

In order for kinetic energy to be effective it has to be transferred.

Is it sea skimming with a level penetration or a dive?

If it goes through a carrier, from left to right, it may just **** off the tech in the hanger and not do much damage. No necessarily even a mission kill. 😉