I don’t think IAF has taken to the concept of LIFT or is the HAWK MK 132 fulfilling that role ?

Is it not like

Basic training on HPT 32 then on HJT 16 Kiran and finally HAWK MK 132 followed by type training ?

Well would the LCA be cheap enough to purchase and operate that it could be used to replace the Hawk? Or is it only going to be a light fighter without other roles?

Nic

Yes. I wonder what plane will be used for LIFT when the alphajet retires. EADS Mako seem to have been abandonned. And I’m not aware of any successor in the works.

Nic

The lack of canting is a shame though, considering the RCS advantages and wide radar coverage arc, the latter giving both better situational awareness and a turn away first capability.

The rafale doesn’t turn away :diablo:

Nic

The LCa looks like a neat little thing for sure. Kind of a mix between a mirage 2000 and a jaguar.

Nic

Perhaps you mean to say ‘Rafale’ above?

No I am not envious. I think it’s great that Rafale will get AESA in 2013, I was just curious that it was not introduced even earlier if it’s being produced today and it takes one month to produce.

Gripen and Typhoon will get their AESAs 1-2 years later it seems. Perhaps a more modern design since they are being developed now whereas the main development of the RBE2 has already concluded… 😉

There are several reasons
– they need to produce several radars, since I suppose they will put it in service in a whole squadron at a time.
– the radars have to be installed on new rafales that are going to be built, not retrofitted to older planes
– there may be budget constraints that delays funding and scales production
– probably a few things to iron out & a few modes to continue developing fully.

Nic

[QUOTE=Loke;1705283]I still wonder they have started producing a radar that will not fly before 2013.

I was writing a long coherent reply, and then I realised you were just envious that the Gripen had a production model aesa starting production 😎

Nic

it suggests to me that there is not a need to increase the power of the Ej200.

i am curious though (and i know you will be able to tell me), is there a growth version of the Rafale Engine in the works somewhere?

Yes there is work on a 90KN version being worked on because of a UaE requirement. However when given the opportunity to have more power or longer service live and less cost, french aviators went for longer life.

Nic