Could the Litening III image be link16ed from the Tornado?

Not trying to say the Typhoon can’t use litening but just making sure it carries them over Libya.

Nic

Scalp isn’t that expensive, and neither is the Mica, but yeah if you add Scalp to the mix it definately wouldn’t add up.

Scalp cost 850000 Euro / unit with development factored in

(total program cost of 382 million Euro for 450 unit)

http://www.marianne2.fr/blogsecretdefense/Libye-la-facture-des-missiles-de-croisiere-Scalp-s-eleve-deja-a-plus-de-neuf-millions-d-euros_a212.html

Nic

phew almost had a heart attack 😀

But Libya had archaic SAMs not something like the S-300.

Iraq didn’t have S300 either.

Nic

The F-35 can release a weapon MUCH closer to a target than the Rafale can so the SDB1&2 work just fine. There is also JSM, JADM-ER, JSOW & JSOW-ER that can be carried internally.

One of the F-35’s icing layers (UAI) makes adding weapons the easiest upgrade on the F-35 (and easier than any other production fighter today). All that is needed is for Sagem to create the flight profile, certify separation, and the AASM could be flying on F-35s worldwide the next day, no block upgrade needed.

Add to that the fact that AASM is a add-on kit like JDAM, a US company (LM, Boeing, ATK, Raytheon, etc) could partner with Sagem to bring the AASM extension tech to the JDAM family.

btw, Stormshadow (Scalp EG) is being certified for the F-35, so no Rafale advantage there.

I was replying to the 4 gen planes comment. Stealth fighters can cruise at high altitude (but for how long until Ssomething catch up), and use SDB at long range.

Of course AASM could be added to other fighters, or a weapon similar could be developped, but for the moment only the Rafale provides such capability.

Nic

Stopping the payment of ransoms would stop piracy quite quick.

Sending special forces after the pirates on their home turf would help.

Nic

I can see no LDP on the pictures. That and the fact they operate with GR4s seem to indicate they don’t designate their targets?

Nic

As you can see: neither radar or EW on Rafale was capable of competing with F-16.
Put another way: How’s your 15 year ole computer doin’ these days ?
still bleeding edge ?

On 1+ ton agile missiles, refer to Newtons 2nd law of motion

Erm, the article only mentions the range difference between the RBE2 and the block 60 radar, and all the EW talk has absolutely nothing to do with the block 60, so where do you get that the EW of the spectra is lacking compared to the EW of the block 60?

You are making stuff up I’m afraid.

Nic