I imagine that the B52+ F-16’s could be handled easily by the Rafale, especially with Meteor and AESA. The F-16 will be completely outclassed in both BVR and WVR. J-10b is prolly a closer match, but we really don’t know too much about it. I would still give Rafale the edge though.

Does anyone know if the PAF F-16’s have HMS? What about the Indian Rafales?

1L222 Avtobaza covers 8000 – 17544 MHz which is X-band (I/J) or fighter radars.
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Warpac-Rus-PLA-ESM.html#mozTocId651861

If we assume RQ-170 uses same datalinks as RQ-1 Predator, or Ku-band for SATCOM. Thats 12000 – 18000 MHz
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app2/q-1.html

In other words it will not detect down-links from satellites to UAV.

That still puts the vast frequency range of the satellite link within the Avtobaza’s capabilities.

Actually he was quite right last time he mentioned it and is right again this time.

Spheres are a comparitively AWFUL shape for low RCS, especially vs early warning systems. From a specular reflection standpoint they give a decent sized, uniform return no matter what angle they are being illuminated from.

Surface waves are also able to travel right around a sphere and scatter back to the source radar which can lead to resonance and increase their RCS by over 4 times.

You are largely correct that spheres are poor for RCS. However, surface traveling waves are not a problem, as they are on a perfect sphere, as the 101ksv is really only a half sphere, and surface waves will not travel uninterrupted around the object. That could still lead to edge diffraction issues, but that should be rectifiable using RAM, sawtoothing, and varying surface resistivity around the edge..

Japan is worried about China. They felt snubbed after the US refused to offer them F-22. If F-35 is delayed that leaves the SH as the only US alternative.

What do they do if the SH if found to not meet their requirements? They would then have no option but to go for TYphoon.

If they really wanted to they could put out and RFI to Dassault.

Libya does not have any integrated defence nor latest jamming pods on there aircraft. so it is moot point whether Rafale went there first or second in flat desert environment.

And yet the USA and UK still sent in cruise missiles and Growlers to support their air assets, even after the Rafale had already softened things up through air strikes.

UAE after getting used to extra thrust of F-16E is not so much impressed. infact Juppe visit is pretty empty handed.
Either French politician sucks or Rafale sucks big time or both.

The Indians apparently did not find the F-16E up to par for the MMRCA, whereas they found the Rafale to be acceptable. Undoubtedly kinematics and take off and climb performance at hot and high conditions (Leh for example) came into play here.

THere is practically zero credibility behind extrathrust engine of M-88. After all India would have chosen it for LCA-MK2. as that aircraft is only coming online after 2015. so whats the point of order GE engine now? (does the contrat be signed?) and later another Kaveri-Snecma engine. when you cannot upthrust the engine in 5 years. It means your failure.

The F414 is a significantly larger and heavier engine than the M88. So is the Kaveri. The LCA is a single engined aircraft. It has higher thrust per engine needs than the twin engined Rafale.

Sorry but Pakistan is no peer to India in military capability neither is India to China.

Well, I agree that they are not equals by any means, but they are at least somewhat comparable- moreso than the USA to Iraq for example. I think what I’m getting at is that any confrontation in this region would likely be a conventional war. It wouldn’t be shock and awe.

That IS correct. Radome is transparent and its shape is not important. What is important is the shape and radar return of the non-transparent objects underneath the radome.

FSS Radomes used by many modern fighters are only transparent at certain frequencies, so shape still matters.

Many things in aerospace manufacturing are globalized. The F-35 is loaded with European components (by design of course). Undoubtedly US components can likely be replaced with European components. However, this may come at an increased price for example.