dare i venture a guess? its MiG Corp developing the Zhuk A zhingamjig. :diablo: C’mon Ray, give us a hint.

Regards,
USS.

Ahem..cant the same be said about other cos as well?;)

Increased compared to the Raptor? Probably. But would they be on the level of current aircraft like the Su-27 or EF-2000? Not necessarily. The original AL-41 engines in the MiG 1.44 were purported to have had ceramic-something panels lining the inside of the exhaust nozzle’s moveable flaps with the intent to absorb some of the IR radiation and lower the signature accordingly.

Hmmm..also the PAKFA’s tail pipe is circular in cross section.A slit like tail pipe would help better in mixing of the exhaust gas with cooler air ,so as to reduce the temparature of the exhaust.

Anyway there could be other techniques..like those ceramic tiles(?),pumping in cool air to mix with the exhaust etc.

Heh! who knows may be the PAKFA will have a non-circular tail pipe.

BTW..I was wondering,if the PAKFA is already being made,then the radar going with it((at least the initial prototypes) is probably decided??So that should be the Irbis?

BTw..in all of these pictures the exhaust nozzles are not shielded like the Raptor.Wouldnt that lead to increased IR signature?

Is the primary purpose mobility or anti armour for these birds? Hows the armour on them to absorb ground fire if they are used in the anti tank role?

Main function is to replace Chetaks and Cheetahs in logistics and reconnaissance/observation role.In the observation role it could carry machine gun,rocket pods etc.But some would be equipped with ATGMs for anti-armour role as well.
It has got some facilities like self sealing fuel tank,impact resistant rotor blades and hub,main gearbox with 45 min dry run capability,but not much armor itself.Anycase I dont think thats a requiremant for the roles it is required to play mainly.
BTW..whats the armor on the Cobra?

Clearly, the Rafale would make a great choice for the IAF and the MMRCA. I would add that the IN could also use them from its forthcoming ADS Carriers too!:D Yet, I am sure politics will prevail………………That said, the Super Hornet has some advantages. As hard as it is to admit it!:eek:

Arent you a bit too sure about stuff?;)

btw..here is a short comparison between the two helos.

Bell 407:

Range:612km &’64; standard max gross weight, 604km @ alternative max gross weight
Maximum speed (Vne):259km/h
Maximum altitude:5,370m @ standard max gross weight, 4,900m @ alternative max gross weight

AS-550 Fennec:

Maximum range with standard tanks:666km
Never exceed speed:287km/h
Service ceiling:5,280m

Bell
AS550

Thanks raids13 and hyperwarp.btw..hw I luv your smileys!:D

Indian Army Helicopter Contract: Bell 407, Eurocopter AS 350 Field Trials Completed

The trials of the Bell-407 and Eurocopter helicopters have been completed and the defence ministry has accepted the Indian Army’s recommendations on the two machines, parliament was informed Thursday.

“The government has received a trial report of Bell-407 and Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter to be incorporated in the Indian Army,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

“The trials have been completed and the general staff evaluation of the trial report approved by the Indian Army has been accepted by the ministry of defence,” he added.

There was no indication which machine had got the nod.

Informed sources said the details would be revealed only after negotiations between New Delhi and Washington were concluded, as the sale would be governed under the US law on foreign military sales.

The Indian Army has projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 75 kg heights of 23,000 feet on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The 197 helicopters the army proposes to purchase are meant to replace it’s ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were inducted more than three decades ago.

The army, which had issued its request for information (RFI) in 1999, had shortlisted the Bell-407 and the Eurocopter in its request for proposal.

The two machines underwent a series of extensive trials in the Siachen Glacier and the deserts of Rajasthan, where they will primarily be deployed.

According to an official, the army wants to buy 60 helicopters outright with the remaining 137 being licensed manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Link

My money is on the 407 winning,though the AS 350 looks cooler.:cool:
btw…I thought it was the AS-550(mil version) that was under trial and not the AS-350(civil version):confused: