Thanks for the valuable input djcross.

From wot i have read, these two indeed do seem to b major problems, and i personally havent come across a credible solution to either of them yet, though there was some talk of using smaller devices to generate loads of fields but only around areas which add substantially to overall RCS of the fighter. As to wot progress they have made, i have no idea…but as i said b4 we r yet to c this technology being applied to a small cruise missile.

Camaro

Its an old idea, bee around since the days of USSR. Instead of using RAMs or other techniques to RCS, russian scientists have been looking into the possibility of using plasma (ionised particles) formation around protected objects to prevents radars from seeing it, without affecting the general aerodynamical characteristics of the objects. However, there have been massive hurdles to overcome…and 2 the best of my knowledge the technique is not yet sufficiently advanced enough even for application to small missile let alone massive fighters. Even Richars Fisher noted in his report that The Russians have determined that plasma stealth may be unsuitable for low-altitude platforms, but are developing applications for use on high-speed high-altitude cruise missiles.

PS. A simple google search would give u plenty of articles to read.

Srbin

Follwoing article-albeit rather old-by Major General Ashok K Mehta (indian army) may shed some light on overall costs of MKI.

http://inhome.rediff.com/news/2000/nov/17ashok.htm
The amortised per unit cost of the Su-30MKI will be a staggering Rs 1.61 billion. The up-front cost of the multi-role aircraft is the avionics and weapons fit. The 25 tonne Su-30MKI has eight hard points to carry another eight tonnes of missiles and bombs. This will cost money. That is not all. The hidden expenditure lies in the ownership or life-cycle cost, which in Russian aircraft is very high compared to the Western versions. The life-cycle cost of an Su-30MKI is likely to shoot up to Rs 4.5 billion.

PS. Assuming $1=Rs45 , Rs1.61 billion means aprox $36 mil and Rs4.6 billion mean $102 mil.

He also said the FC-1 would have stealth because one model colour was white or something and a newer one was painted grey.. That’s just plain folly and doesn’t show any type of analytical skill.

Would you care to explain?

all that means is that they’ve looked at the glossy pictures and oohed and aahed over it – what freaking “official negotiations” you are talking about I have no idea …

Well, here is an idea.
It was Alan Warnes of AFM who conducted the interview and wrote the article in question. If u have better qualifications in military aviation than Alan, then perhaps u should apply for his job…and next time u can do a better job.

Source please?

Unless im mistaken, it was AFM (???). I dont remember the issue number (perhaps April/May?).

Just to add a bit more to the whole confusion list;
http://www.dawn.com/2004/06/19/top12.htm

PS. Didnt saab also conduct erieye tests on saab 2000? And we know that PAF is in official negotiations with saab for Erieye.

My personal feeling is that it would eventually b J-10…and probably earlier than many ppl r anticipating.