Then don’t buy the F35 and build more typhoons if UK jobs is all that matters :rolleyes:

They ditched the UK projects for decades to buy american, and now they cry for 400 odd million that go to eastern europe? It’s ok to shaft UK workers to buy american but not to buy from Romania?

Strange to say the least.

Nic

Wow, I wonder if aerodynamic won’t be a real problem with that configuration :diablo:

Why? If anything the Mica EM would compensate a bit the damoclès pod, and AASM can be carried on the aft fuselage point as one pic proves, at the same time as a dual AASM on the centerpoint. The only question is whether you can put a Mica as well as a damoclès at the same time, but I don’t see a reason why it wouldn’t be possible.

What I’m wondering is whether it’s possible to carry bombs on the aft fuselage point of a Mica is carried on the front hardpoint. I supposed the Mica carried there will be ejected before ignition so there should not be a problem.

Nic

Interesting I didn’t know the Gripen was equipped with a terrain following system. However it would be nice to know the specifics allowed (speed/height/load factor) in TF mode.

I’m quite confused by the second powerpoint about the Gripen NG, as it mentions terrain avoidance, but not terrain following. Both aren’t the same thing at all.

I think terrain avoidance was to be implemented on Rafale F3 and on but wasn’t available on the Rafale F2 yet, which led to the loss of one aircraft (and sadly the pilot) because of G-lock. I hope the Rafale will get such a system soon and I’d sure like some clarification on the capability of the Gripen in the terrain following area.

Nic

The article would be wrong if it states MIDS can provide direct control of AIM-120. MIDS works in L-band. I believe AIM-120 data link is X-band because it is provided by the fire control radar.

Sorry I was unclear I meant that target data was probably updated through MIDS and then sent to missile by MCU by the shooter. I didn’t mean to say the AMRAAM was updated by MIDS directly, although it would be a very nice feature, since then no MCU would be required and the target couldn’t detect it and be warned it was fired at.

Nic

Officially, the flyaway/unit price of F-35 is still $60-70 Million, depending upon whom you ask and which year dollar.

That’s still more expensive than the Rafale, and that doesn’t include spares and infrastructure which is also bound to be more expensive. The only area where is could be less expensive would be weapons.

Nic

IAF Mirage-2000s can also carry the Israeli Griffin LGB kit on a standard British Mk.21 bomb as seen below on an IAF Jaguar

Do you know on which pylons the M2k carries them? Can they carry them on the 4 fuselage pylons like on the peruvian Mirages, or on the central pylon in single or dual pylons link on the french ones? Or under the outer-wing pylons? Inner wing pylons surely is used for fuel tanks right?

Theoetically there’s a layout I’d like to see and I wonder if it’s possible…

1 damoclès pod on the right front fuselage point
1 Mica EM on the left front fuselage point
2 GPS/Laser GBU 12 on the two aft fuselage points
2 GPS/IIR AASM on the dual bomb central point
2 long range fuel tanks on inboard wing pylons
2 Mica IR on outboard wing pylons…

Wonder if the MTOW would allow it…

Nic

Well, spectra in the case of the Rafale can not only detect emmitters with less than 1° accuracy, but it can jam the emmitter with a pencil beam thanks to it’s AESA jammers. Also it is very likely that the Rafale will fly a mission profile that will bring him way within the 200km range without being detected for a long time should it want to destroy the sam site.

All this is true for the other platforms as well.

The advantage of in case of AtoA is to detect your foes before they get in a situation where they can attack you, and gain tactical advantage thanks to that. In the case of interception missions you are most likely going to avoid being in the radar cone of the intruder, but target your missiles with offboard sensors, or IRST/TV. I wonder if it would be better to fire from long enough to avoid your missile launche being detected by the enemy maws (with Mica IR preferably), or if it’s better to sneak close until you fire from your NEZ with either Mica IR/EM, AMRAAM, R77…

Besides… imagine a Rafale flying on a strike mission, being chased by interceptors who were directed by GCI. The planes come from behind to avoid detection and once they are close enough turn on their radar to engage the Rafale with their missiles. Spectra will detect them and Mica IRs can be fired 180° backwards on the attackers! Now THAT’s pretty nifty :diablo:

Nic