Rafale all the way
(you are surprised ?)
It is either France or Russia. Americans don’t give away any stealth technology. Not even to Japanese or Israelis.
Smart move by IAF, linking AMCA to a new procurement. If the source is correct !
If the reports are true, it actually gets tougher for Dassault!
New Delhi continues work on stealthy AMCA
17 FEBRUARY, 2017
Director of New Delhi’s Aeronautic Development Agency C.D. Balaji says that the great majority of work for the shape of the AMCA has been completed.
The biggest challenge involves the development of Radar Absorbent Material (RAM).
He alluded to New Delhi’s challenges in the area of radar cross section (RCS) reduction in comments about the collapse of the 2012 deal to buy 126 Dassault Rafale fighters.
There were several issues that caused the Rafale deal to collapse, he says, but he specifically pointed to France’s unwillingness to part with a proprietary RAM that is applied to the Rafale’s canopy. Had the deal moved forward, Rafales completed in India would have been sent to France to receive the coating...
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...w-delhi-continues-work-on-stealthy-am-434300/
Also if you look at Rafale as the base for common techs for AMCA, it would be a bad solution, since it doesn't offer much AMCA would need.
AMCA is planned with a single scree touch display, while Rafale only has small touch displays and not even plans with a single screen in future versions. Gripen E and F18 Block 3 here have the advantage, of using Elbits touch display, which also is on offer for AMCA via HALBIT, the JV company of HAL and Elbit.
The EF is planned with a comparable display for the P4E or a follow standard, but the evaluations are just started.
AMCA requires are 110kN AB thrust engine and is planned to have TVC capabilities.
GE has studied TVC on the 404 engine before and is offering an uprated GE414 EPE if required (would be available for F18B3 or Gripen E)
The EF has a 3D TVC demonstrator and partnered GE in the initial studies too. The EJ 200 is also offered in an uprated version.
Rafale has neither any TVC studies, nor an uprated engine with sufficient thrust to power AMCA. The M88 ECO core, that might be used in Kaveri, is probably still not enough for LCA MK2, which might be the reason why ADA and HAL are planing with the GE414 instead.
AMCA is meant to have Advanced EW and passive sensors, a field where the Gripen E sets the benchmark now. No other fighter comes with GaN RWR and Jammer, the Israeli IR MAWS provide full 360 degree, possibly even spherical coverage and belong to the families of MAWS , DARE is developing with Israeli support as well.
Rafale comes second in this field, but coles with the unique FSO, that if added with a capable IRST, could be a game changer. But then again, a new IRST is only planned for 2025 or later and can be evaluated only by then.
Radar - AMCA is planned with Uttam AESA and if any ToT to improve it is considered, it would be asked in the MK1A upgrade.
Stealth design - Dassault, Saab and Airbus are partners in the Neuron TD, Saab has made own stealth and UAV studies, Airbus has already announced a stealth fighter programme to replace EF and most likely Rafale. The US obviously have the most know how, but also the highest restrictions, so not much help there, unless they offer joint development of the F18 weapon pods.
