ErkokiteNo one’s brought up this video yet with some interesting info
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MwKsRVtOwc
Summary:
** 17000 tests in aerodynamic tubes with 25 models carried out. Data base of T-50 aerodynamics has been created.
** PAK-FA has more innovative aerodynamic features compared to the F-22.
– All moving vertical and horizontal tails.
– Movable LERX.
– A novelty is that T-50 has “ADAPTABLE” wing geometry (04:13 on video). The wing adapts corresponding to the speed that the aircraft is flying at (changes it’s shape?) allowing maximum aerodynamic performance.** Fully automated fly by wire system allows sophisticated maneuvers to be carried out by regular/average pilots (up to now only by test pilots or instructors). For example maneuvers such as “helicopter” (from 05:00)…. cobra maneuver can now be performed at will (maneuvers can be pre-programed and executed automatically by the flight control system)
I’m curious to see more info on the model of the aircraft they were showing off at the end of the video (the two-engined, single vertical tail thing with the large, rounded LERX’s). Someone else mentioned that it was a Yak-130 derived light fighter. Anyone else have more info?
Erkokitethe mica rf does have a range of 50-60k
passive mica ir doesnt by a long wayhow does the osf provide passive bvr accurate targeting data and you can scratch the ir from the osf, even the fr say its obsolete
yes thales has 2 hms, we have brought one of them, what has that got to do with showing it being tested/fitted on a rafale
The OSF has a range of around 45 km or something like that. SPECTRA has a significantly longer range, as well as sophisticated emitter identification/locating/tracking modes, I think. If an object is detected by SPECTRA, OSF can be cued to get an image of the target. Between SPECTRA and OSF reasonably accurate data for both azimuth and elevation as well as target identification (via SPECTRA’s threat library) can be found. From these, range can be found by means of either the laser range finder or entirely passively via creative use of nonlinear kalman filters and special maneuvering patterns. Or if there is a datalink present, one doesn’t even need to use special maneuvers. Speed can likely be found via other tricks. From these a firing solution can be obtained. An IR Mica can be fired off based on the given firing solution and then track passively via IR on its own once it is in range (the initial firing solution from the Rafale’s sensors probably handles this). Additionally the missile may be able to be guided via the Rafale’s passive sensors and one-way datalink, but I am not sure about this.
I’m guessing this is how it works. I’m sure a lot of info on the Rafale’s sensors is classified. I know the EF uses the nonlinear kalman filter + maneuvering/datalink trick to get passive ranging info and I think it is known in the industry as a whole, though it is a bit of an “art”. I’m sure Thales has the expertise to do it, but I’m just guessing in the case of the Rafale as to the exact method.
Either way it is entirely possible to passively detect/track and fire on a target well outside of BVR and this is a capability possessed by the Rafale, Eurofighter, and F-22, and perhaps some other aircraft as well.
ErkokiteSource: 09.03.10, Voenno-Promyshlennyy Kur’er, Correspondent: Il’ya Kedrov
As regards the PAK FA radar cross section ((EHFFEKTIVNAYA PLOSHCHAD’ RASSEYANIYA)) which is of interest to all observers, it corresponds to the figure declared for its chief competitor – the F-22. And the American airplane, as is known, has an RCS of 0.3 – 0.4 square meters in compliance with the performance specification. One still cannot expect a frameless canopy on the PAK FA – the appropriate technology has not been mastered in Russia.
Well this is interesting… I wonder if they are referring to average RCS sans coatings. But I guess it suggests the PAK-FA was designed to compete with the F-22 in terms of stealth.
ErkokiteQ&A with Ilya Fyedorov, Executive Director of NPO Saturn:
Looks like ‘117s’ all round (including Su-30MKI?)……let’s see what MMPP Salyut has to say about that…
I thought the PAK-FA flew with an entirely new engine of some sort. I also heard that a new engine would be integrated in the spring some time. So what’s the truth at this point? Is the 117 a “new engine”? :confused:
ErkokiteI thought that the Eurofighter has always been greatly preferred by the Japanese aviation media. Then again, politics are politics. Who knows- Hatoyama has specifically stated that he would like to see a shift away from dependence on the US.
ErkokiteHi guys,
Last fall I was at a lecture and the subject was Red Flag 2008-03.
There were almost 10 different “forces” from all over the world using various versions of F15..F16:s..B52:s..E6:s..F5:s, tankers & Awacs during the exercise
-Some interesting facts….The 4-group Gripen group was planned to fly aprox. 100 missions…only 2 were cancelled (due to flight suite problems)…highest record among the participants. The flew both attack and defence missions for the blue team against the agressors (USAF:s best) The Gripen group accomplished 90% of all their missions..also the highest record. (USAF& Turish air force 87%) The brazilians were last in the “competition”…but the were operating old F5:s so…The Gripen group was also restricted in flight performance due to no tanker capacity during the exercise, leaving them to fly with 3 ex-tanks at all time.The number of technicians & other staff was only 50-60% comparing to the rest of the participating forces.
And some other well kept secrets;-)
Not bad at all from a small force from a small peaceful country in northern Europe….
I hear the Gripens, and historically the Viggens as well were designed with a strong emphasis on datalinks. I’ve heard the Swedes had some neat tricks up their sleeves from training accounts.
ErkokiteNow, what “European aerospace powers with a large degree of sovereignity” could that be?
Could it be France!?
France sells Mistral to Russia — perhaps they will get something in return…?
Nah… France seems to like to go it alone with its defense projects. They wouldn’t buy T-50 for the same reason they won’t buy the F-35. They like to design their own equipment to fit their needs and ensure a competitive industrial/technological base.
ErkokiteCheck the date. Seems reports are being recycled weekly to make the problem appear bigger than it is. I’m guessing we’ll hear next week about how *gasp* there’s been a year delay as if that is NEW information.
Lol. Oops. I just checked back through the thread to see if it had been posted yet and didn’t check the date. Apologies.
Though, to my credit, this article doesn’t seem to have been posted yet, so it is in a sense, “new.”:D
ErkokiteF-35 Faces A Troubled 2010
Feb 5, 2010
By Bill Sweetman
WashingtonUnlike Julius Caesar, the JSF program will survive March. However, it may suffer a couple more wounds to go with those received earlier this year. The Pentagon’s Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) will be released and are likely to show a critical breach of Nunn-McCurdy cost-escalation limits, leading to a mandatory program review. Also, the Government Accountability Office is due to issue another report on the program. Given the program leaders’ cavalier dismissal of GAO’s earlier warnings, it is likely to be harsh and seasoned with “we told you so.” Before or around that time, another schedule slippage is almost certain.
Erkokitewhat I find funny is that, basically, that “study” trashes every aircraft it talks of, and in such affirmative terms, while talking about a purchase that would have its deliveries over 10 years later (study in 2000 and deliveries not anticipated before the 2012 at best at the time)
Well, this study was written quite a while ago. The F-35 has lost weight since then, the Gripen’s RCS was reduced and it also has a decent EW suite with DRFM capability. I’m sure strides have been made in the Typhoon’s sensor package (from what I hear, PIRATE is quite good).
ErkokiteSo here we’ve heard rumors of the Mig-35, Rafale, and F-18 not performing well. And that India isn’t keen on the F-16 (probably because Pakistan uses it). If the Rafale and Mig-35 did indeed perform poorly then this makes me worry about the Gripen with its single engine, which happens to have trouble with sand based on some rumors about the F-18. And the Typhoon is very expensive. So…
Erkokitethe answer is, so what
under law it has to go back to gov for assessment, it gets ticked and continueshas the timeline been agreed to yet ?
the f-35 will be sooner than the typhoon and rafale was and both are still in development to 4.5 standard
The Typhoon and Rafale are flying, deployed, and in the case of the Rafale, have already seen action in Afghanistan. There are upgrades to be done for sure, but they are certainly up to 4.5th gen (as they were by design) and it would be foolish to suggest otherwise.
Erkokitehttp://www.mre.gov.br/portugues/noticiario/nacional/selecao_detalhe3.asp?ID_RESENHA=667366
In addition to having been in last place in the technical evaluation of the Brazilian Air Force, which will operate the new fighters at least the next 30 years, the French Rafale from Dassault, was not considered the best in any of the seven final criteria.
The French jet was appointed as the worst option in these five criteria: technical, logistical, technological compensation / commercial, employment generation and price.
The winner, the Gripen NG was considered better in four requirements: technical, technology transfer, employment generation and price.
Well, I stand corrected then.
ErkokiteAccording to some sources Gripen was ranked numero uno also on the technical evaluation in Brazil…. and Rafale was ranked last, after SH.
I thought this was in the overall evaluation, which included cost and offset figures.
EDIT:
See here:
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96345
post #26.
ErkokiteThis seems to be in contrast with what the Rafale guys were saying. IIRC dassault chaps pointed out their ability to deal with the heat / rough conditions at Jaisalmer as one of their strengths.
@ Erkokite,
WHile I agree with your evaluation re. the rafale. I’d disagree reg. the MiG-35. I too feel that it may not have made it to round 2 (although MiG chaps expressed great confidence very recently). Point is, if MiG was thrown out, it wouldn’t be for flight trials since it has been one of the only IAF birds to perform well at Leh and has v.strong flight performance characteristics. Although past maintenance issues might have been a drawback.
USS.
USS.
Ah, I see. I don’t know a whole lot about the Mig-35. I am mainly going from what I can tell about its avionics- the radar seems a little anemic to me, I down know what type of jamming capability it has, and I’m not sure how much you can reduce the RCS of an aircraft like the Mig-29 (down to 1 m^2 seems reasonable to me). However, I could be very wrong.
Sign In
