RayRWooow, a friend sent me this photo…..:dev2:
I tell you just make a small watermark on the photo.there is no dearth of unscrupulous publications..and when the picture is so beautiful..:cool:
RayROh, please………….the 30 year old designed Viper is still more capable than 95% of the tactical fighters currently flying! (i.e. Blk50/60 & F-16I) A Bison pilot would last about a half second!:diablo:
And someone who has never flown a plane in his life knows it better than a fighter pilot who has flown in the exercises..:diablo:
btw..do you know the meaning of the phrase “tongue in cheek”….guess not:rolleyes:You should pay more attention when sometimes Swerve corrects your spelling and grammatical mistakes..:p
RayRpoliticians aside, does anyone know what the IAF themselves prefer out of the contenders?
I dont know what you mean by what IAF prefers because they still havent done the trials and there is no official/unofficial consensus IAF decision.And opinions vary among the personnel as it does among the members here.Some people I(and friends) have had chance of talking to were young and mid level personnel and choices included F-18 , Rafale , Typhoon and Mig-35 and not in that order of preference.Everyone was against F-16 as far as I have heard.A friend said that some Bison pilot said tongue in cheek “no use getting something our Bisons can handle”:D 😉
RayRThis point is something people battled for months over a year or so back. Supercruise is defined as flying at a velocity above the speed of sound for a sustained period. But some people around here were overly zealous in demanding the super cruise speed needs to be in a range much higher than mach 1.2 to be useful or it was not considered supercruise. The raptor in comparison will supercruise at a theoretical, optimal supercruise speed of mach 1.7 which is well above transonic speeds.
Well…I thought more important criteria for supercruising was the ability to go >Mach 1 without afterburners.But to sustain it at that speeds for extended periods of time is where all the problem lies.That is what I wanted to determine.Because various problems come in then ..most importantly like temparature limitations of the various parts of the airframe and canopy etc.Anyway 20 min period at mach 1.2 seems helpful to me.If its mach 1.7 then all the better.
Just the words of a general who flew it:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123009594““Today I flew the Raptor at speeds exceeding (Mach 1.7) without afterburners,” General Jumper said. “To be able to go that fast without afterburners means that nobody can get you in their sights or get a lock-on. The aircraft’s impressive stealth capability, combined with its super cruise (capability), will give any adversary a very hard time.” (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)”
Well it doesnt say for how long.Lots of other aircraft could go >mach 1.7 albeit using the afterburners and at altitude.It is the duration for which you are able to sustain it that counts.
RayREurocopter tender cancelled, France ‘disappointed’
CNN-IBN
Published on Fri, Dec 21, 2007 at 13:39, Updated at Fri, Dec 21, 2007 in World section
DEAL DOOM: The Indian Ministry of Defence cancelled the tender for nearly 200 helicopters.
New Delhi: France is disappointed with Ministry of Defence over the cancelled Eurocopter tender for nearly 200 helicopters. The tender has been cancelled after a seven-year selection process.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kourchner also expressed concern over the slow and uncertain nature of India’s defence procurement process compared to countries like China.
He also indicated no progress in the Mirage upgrade contract but that was as far as he would go.
With President Nicholas Sarkozy the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations next month, the French minister said Paris remained optimistic about its chances and would persevere with the contract.
A part of European aerospace major European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Eurocopter was to supply 197 helicopters to the Indian Army.
Eurocopter had been contracted to sell 60 complete helicopters to the Army, while the remaining 137 were to be assembled at state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in the country.
RayRAkash medium range SAM undergoes advanced testing news
20 December 2007
Chandipore-on-Sea, Orissa: India Wednesday tested its medium-range surface-to-air missile,Akash, twice from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, some 230 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, between 1.45 p.m. and 2 p.m, defence sources said. The missiles capable of tracking multiple targets and carrying live warheads were fired at a flying object towed by a pilot-less aircraft (PTA).
Akash, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), weighs 650-700kg and has a range of 30 kilometres. The missile uses an integrated two-stage ramjet propulsion technology to carry a 55kg warhead.
The Akash has already undergone three test firings over the last four days, which have all been described as being successful].
Before the start of the tests defence sources had said that the tests would continue for a period of ten days. The missile is currently being fine tuned to the specifications and performance parameters of its principal user, the Indian Air Force.
Akash and the Integrated Air Defence System
The Integrated Air Defence System and Akash SAM tests have been launched even as the country has let it be known that it will begin development of an ‘Agni-IV’ version that would be able to traverse a distance of 5,000-7,000km.
The modified, extended range Agni-III version would be capable of striking cities such as Beijing from deep inside India, and also target the European continent.
India is developing a range of ballistic and cruise missiles as a deterrent to neighbours China and Pakistan. These include the Prithvi and Agni family of missiles, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and now the Nishant sub-sonic cruise missile.
As part of its stunningly successful Ballistic Missile Defence system it has already tested a two-tier exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric missile defence systems. These tests have now put the country in the company of only three other countries in the world that have such systems and technologies, the US, Russia and Israel.
Meanwhile, a salvo of two Akash surface-to-air missiles was fired on a single target yesterday in an attempt to increase the kill probability. The test was successful, scientists said, validating the overall maturity of the integrated air defence system being developed along with the Akash SAM system.
Scientists said that both the missiles hit the target simultaneously, which was being towed by a Lakshya PTA. The ‘kill’ was achieved at an altitude of 400mts and at a distance of 17km, at a speed of 700km/per hour. The test deployed the Rajendra-2 and Rajendra-3 radars. Scientists said that the event showed the capabilities of the radar, the supporting systems and the launcher to guide more than one missile against the same target. They said that this is now a big milestone in the development of the Akash system.
Reports quote Dr Prahlada, chief controller, R&D (services interaction) as saying that in these tests, not only Akash, but also the functioning of the integrated air defence system has been validated. The event is path breaking as it allows the country to break away from imported systems.
He also said that the Akash system would be customised and perfected as per user requirements. In this case it happens to be the Indian Air Force.
The next test firing is due on 22 December.
Akash
The Akash missile uses an Integral Ram Rocket (IRR) solid propulsion system, which gives it a very high-speed intercept range of 30km. The missile has an all-up weight of 720kg and a length of nearly 6m.The digital on-board command and guidance unit coupled with a highly responsive actuator system, makes the missile highly manoeuvrable up to 15g loads and a tail chase capability for end game engagement. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated.
http://www.domain-b.com/defence/air_space/iaf/20071220_akash.html
RayRWell according a manufacturer presentation the aircraft can supercruise for 250 nm and fly a 30 min CAP there, before returning home (probably sub sonic) on internal fuel and with 8 AAMs or so. Supercruise speed is given with up to mach 1.2+ in a combat configuration including a centreline drop tank and 6 AAMs.
So the supercruise part is 250 nm at mach 1.2..that means roughly a 20 min time period.Thanks Scorpion.
RayRIAF Jag pilots practice air to air fights with a variety of opposition pretty seriously..:D 😉
RayRThese two for me:
RayRDoes anybody know how long can a typhoon/raptor supercruise continuously?
RayRThere are some comments regarding Indra Danush II as well in the topic about RAF preparing for war.
From the article mentioned above:
The results of Exercise Indra Dhanush?
“Outstanding!” declares Squadron Leader Smith, adding: “This is an Su-30 MKI, the very latest Russian technology with thrust vectoring, probably the pinnacle of Eastern European weaponry currently fielded and from the results we’ve seen this week, not a problem!”
LOL!That is exactly the phrase I heard from somebody on this side about the Typhoon.:cool:
RayRIts a start.Still long way to go , but it is incorrect to say that since the US has done hundreds of test India will also have to do so.Make no mistake they will have to do “lots” of test , but that number could be less than the other countries who have started from scratch “conceptionally” like the US.Remember also that India had evaluated the S-300 and Arrow systems thoroughly.
RayRYou misunderstand I think…it has nothing to do with any topic, but with the fact that according to some people I should not be allowed to participate in discussions because I am a moderator. This doesn’t apply to all of us mods, just to me. So as I said, it’s not what I say, it’s the fact that I say it in the first place.
I got what you said.You speaking is not a problem as far as we are concerned here.You cant please everybody;) always so forget it and give your hands a rest from typing the same thing over and over again at the start of each post[and some rest to our eyes as well from reading it:D ]
That’s the one I could see being axed the easiest. With the MiG-29K already on the books, a larger order could replace the LCA-N.
Dont count on it.Anti-Russian sentiments are running high in the Navy now regarding the whole Gorky fiasco.Nobody knows whats going to happen.What is the Mig-29s going to operate from if IN refuses to pay the 1.8 billion $ escalation? NLCA would require more thrust , but its not confirmed yet whether there is any lack of thrust on the LCA except for a couple of reports from not too reliable reporters.Plus Kaveri is flat rated and with more thrust.Defexpo’08 is just round the corner starting from 16 Feb IIRC , so I guess we will get a clearer picture then regarding the whole LCA issues.
RayRIt wasn’t what I was saying that was the problem, it was that I was saying it in the first place.
I know why you are saying so 😉 , but believe me criticism or no criticism(about Indian projects) it isnt a problem with us.
When does the NLCA fly, by the way? I asked someone a month or so ago and got no response.
Last I heard it was mid 2008.Will look for updates.
RayRNavy fires a shot across Russia’s bows
SUJAN DUTTA
Mehta (AP) Quote:
New Delhi, Dec. 3: The chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, today signalled that the security establishment was re-thinking relations with India’s traditional military equipment supplier after Russia’s repeated failure to adhere to contracts that fix prices and delivery schedules.“Where is our relationship with Russia going?” the admiral wondered aloud rhetorically. He was asked for his response to Moscow’s demand for an additional $1.2 billion for the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov after it was contracted in 2005 despite slipping in the schedule. He was advising the Centre against reopening contracts with the Russians.
The navy chief was forthright in his criticism after the services told the government that it must make Russia seek military orders through multi-vendor situations. This happens as western manufacturers increasingly bid for Indian military contracts and Moscow insists that India should continue giving it prize orders — such as that for the 126 multi-role combat aircraft.
The admiral was speaking at a news conference ahead of annual Navy Day celebrations.
Though Mehta spoke only on the Indian Navy’s experience with the Gorshkov, he did say there was a conscious effort by the armed forces “not to put all our eggs in one basket”.
“When we took the Gorshkov which the Russians said they were giving free of cost, for just $1 (and for the cost of its refit), it was a sort of partnership. Of course we wanted that ship. We did a very detailed contract. It is a very good contract. When we went over there (to the Sevmash shipyard in Russia where the vessel is being refitted), the shipyard was in a decrepit state. Over the years we have seen how the shipyard has improved with our money… the workforce on the Gorshkov is far less than what we would like it to be,” he said.
It is rare for an armed forces chief — who is also the chairman, chiefs of staff committee, to articulate his dissatisfaction with Russia. The Russians have also indicated that their execution of a contract for three stealth frigates could also be delayed. Defence minister A.K. Antony had also taken up the issues during his visit to Moscow in October.
The demand by the Russians for an additional $1.2 billion for the Gorshkov has angered the admiral most. Navy headquarters has recommended to the government that it should not reopen price negotiations with Moscow after the contract was sealed. Such a move, despite the advice against it, was likely to reopen other deals.
First, the Russians would always find means to make money to cover their own failures. Second, in a multi-vendor situation, the losing bidders for an order could question the legality of the deal, the Centre has been advised. The Russians were already pressing the Indian Air Force to renegotiate a deal for 40 Sukhoi 30 Mki aircraft. Each aircraft was estimated to cost Rs 40 crore.
The Russians had said there would be a delay of two years on the Gorshkov at the least, Mehta said. Unofficially, naval headquarters sources admit it is unlikely that the Gorshkov — re-christened the INS Vikramaditya — would be inducted by 2012, by which time India’s lone carrier, the INS Viraat, would be limping. An indigenous carrier being built in Kochi was also scheduled for delivery that year.
The admiral, who is also the chairman, chiefs of staff committee, went on to say that the armed forces were making a conscious effort to reduce dependence on Russian supplies. There are currently $14.5 billion dollars worth of military orders of the Indian armed forces that the Russian companies were executing. Only last Friday, the Indian Army decided to award a contract worth Rs 1,400 crore for an additional order of 347 T-90 tanks to the Russians.
The admiral could scarcely mask his exasperation despite a hush-hush deal that will give the Indian Navy access to a Russian nuclear submarine for the second time. Mehta said it was not easy to call of the deal for the Vikramaditya because “we already own the ship”. The Indian Navy had paid up about $500 million for it.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071204/asp/frontpage/story_8625670.asp
So we rescued Sukhoi when it was down with no orders , then we bailed out Sevmash when it was in ruins, what do the Russians expect more?Maybe send our painters to paint Kremlin?Bye bye Mig-35.
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