It’ll have a very significant RCS in that configuration (2000L x 3). For operations in a benign threat environment, the F-35 will eventually be fielding EFTs as well (it has plumbed hardpoints). In terms of munitions, it has a truly unprecedented range of choices including some very cost effective options in the JDAM, SDB and JSOW, along with UAI functionality for quicker integration. It’ll also be a platform for Rafael’s multi-mode seeker equipped Python-6.

If we go by the advertised ranges of modern radars (150-180km against 3 sq. m. target for RBE-2AA), most loaded fighters are detectable at ranges well exceeding 100km, while the corresponding figure for a VLO fighter like the F-35 will be at extreme WVR ranges (if not lower). The sheer scale of the tactical advantage that confers cannot be understated.

Where did you get that quote for RBE2? I’m sincerely curious as noone released numbers.

Halloweene, I edited my message without noticing your quick reply, sry. yes I noticed and wonder if it fits the Qatar Satellite buy earlier.

no prob mate.

isn’t teh F-35 thead derailing?

Any thoughts on how the other gulf state will go? Are we really going to see Qatar, UAE and Kuwait flying the same aircraft?

that would be…. unusual. Oman and SA are Typhoon so which way will Kuwait/Bahrain go?

No idea. Btw, training pilots means starting from zero for some of them as Qtar do not have 36 jet pilots afaik. (neither around 100 technicians to work on planes). Fact is we do not know what is included in the deal.

Another good news, first succesful live shot of Meteor two days ago.

News this morning: 36 Rafales sold to Qatar. The agreement is done, and should be signed in a few days (when the french president will have the time to get there). Apparently it’s again a government to government deal

http://www.europe1.fr/economie/rafale-la-france-sur-le-point-de-signer-un-contrat-avec-le-qatar-2441207

Confirmed by Elysée on twitter, here is the official communication from Dassault

Qatar has chosen the Rafale
Saint-Cloud, France, April 30, 2015 – Dassault Aviation is honored by Qatar’s decision
to acquire 24 Rafale aircraft to equip its Air Force.
The contract between the State of Qatar and Dassault Aviation is to be signed on
Monday, May 4 in Doha in the presence of Mr. François Hollande, President of the
French Republic.
Following on from the Mirage F1, the Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000, the Rafale is set
to extend the historic partnership between Qatar, France and Dassault Aviation.
“This new success for the French team demonstrates the Rafale’s operational
qualities and confirms the confidence that countries, that are already users of the
Mirage 2000, have in our company”, said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of
Dassault Aviation.
Dassault Aviation, its partners Thales and Safran, and the 500 companies associated
with the Rafale programme, are delighted at the announcement of this new contract,
constituting further proof of their competitiveness and their industrial and
technological know-how.

As I predicted, resorts to ‘pilot stories’ he heard…

Because you have a more reliable source apart from your internet photo based predictions?

Which has nowhere near as much focused X-Band power as a huge radar. And the actually point being discussed here is the extremely limited capabilities of RBE2-AA relative to other modern AESAs, so let’s not try play the ‘spectra is all-conquering’ card of garbage. This is what I don’t understand about Pierre Sprey types. On one hand they say, stealth aircraft can be detected by modern radar, then they argue that stuff like spectra can jam a stealth aircraft’s radar. Well which is it, because the required jamming power is proportional to the RCS of the jamming aircraft. So unless spectra can generate >100 times the jamming power of an APG-81 and ASQ-239 combined, without giving itself away whilst doing so, it’s pretty much screwed.

Because you knowanything about rafale RCS ans spectra capabilities? And RBE2? lucky boy!