its a good thing i have ameeting with MBDA director of innovation early march. I’ll tell you if i have infos about that.

Look back at UK defence spending plans, the Captor-E was de-risked first as well. Page 65.
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/up…-2015-2025.pdf

That was a very simple upgrade by comparison. Upgraded system of similar weight and size in existing airframe cavity. What you’re depicting is a dozen redesigned arrays with new TRMs embedded across pretty much every major airframe component, which will entail the redesign and structural re-testing of most, cooling validation, power supply validation, EMC testing, re-calibration of active cancellation, flight testing for weights and balance issues. Did I mention cable routing? Some of the arrays are in the wing LE control surface, so that will need retesting for aero-performance. And that’s before the capability/software upgrades, helmet, OSF, new weapons. Even the Nimrod MRA4 upgrade was relatively simple by comparison and need I say more.

But ultimately this does not matter because the absolute fact is that you cannot demonstrate any of this during the actual competition.

I can tell you one thing, straight rom the hose mouth. Software radio and datalink are perfectly functioning on B-301 Rafale (the one in Rovanyemi atm). Dassault is not used to deliver military stuff with delays, quite the contrary. The only counter example i can think of is bizjet, due to engine failure. OSF -IR is integrated in indian Rafale, power supply under scrutiny (aswell as rubis3 APU) in cold environment. Every new conformation is recalibrated in “Solange” test bed. Agree on cabling side arrays.

Last time i heard about F-35 umbrella was whenegyptian pilots got fire solutions above Liban. Of course, F-35 were as usually using RF lenses so it doese not have so much sense.
PS due to present international relationships i’d preer an ASMP/A umbrella to a b61.

The Meteor is cleared since 2017 and i think the delivery to FAF started in 2018.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2017/04/m…re-rafale.html

I never see the rockets pod under a Rafale but that don’t mean FAF don’t have it. FAF had some gun pod i see it on a M2000 but never in operation on a Rafale.
Don’t know if the big Hammer was already used..

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There is no rocket pod under RAfale atm. Under M2K you may find a large number laucher of laser guided lifgtweight bombs. (cant rmember the name, sorry). That said, a pod for induction launched rockests is in the pipes.

I’m afraid since Germany ruled out F-35. Please the exact terms of the new Aix la Chapelle agreement, specially the part about mutual defence.Clearly written “by any means” to me it means that germany is now nder french nuke umbrella.

Regarding the story with the 330MRTT and the Rafale, probably that Jane’s didn’t get a seat in the 330 and had to canoe back to England… before posting this (~two week old) story) 🙂

It would be quite normal as on the way back, the Rafale simulated a nuke pass…

Quality of a plane is measured by its efficiency in a system to perform designed set missions at a certain cost. (i am including in cost relaiabilitiy, number of sorties etc.). That’s why it depends on surrrounding systems, adversaries etc. Saying “this plane has no chance against that one” or “this plane is better because it is sold” is pretty oversimple. There are o course local tactical issues AND a fighter market is always a political one. MAny F-104G were sold. Success?

First of all, this same scheme already appeared in 2013. (too lazy to look for). Don’t buy it, who cares? As far as you do not claim it is false…