MRCA news and discussion /feb-june 2009
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John
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well i think Mayavi can be integrated on the F-18IN if its ready by next year for testing. Because India will certainly show interest in the new increased thrust engine for the SH and will test it when trails proceed to US next year. Or even the DEWS made by BAE is also a gr8 system which will also go on board the F-15 Silent Eagle.
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Gen. Stephane Abrial
French Air Force Chief
Published: 8 June 2009
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Gen. Stéphane Abrial, chief of the Air Force, is bringing the new Rafale frontline fighter into service as aircrews fly combat missions in Afghanistan and forward air controllers wait for delivery of video transmission equipment, expected in the autumn, that allows tighter air-ground coordination with allied forces. He holds industry to delivering the A400M airlifter to specification. The delivery delay forces the service to keep 40-year-old Transall airframes up in the air for the flight hours and operations needed for vital pilot certification.
Gen. Stephane Abrial is chief of the French Air Force.
Meanwhile, Abrial is in line for a top job in NATO's Allied Command Transformation, an appointment seen as a reward for France's return to the integrated military command structure. Abrial attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974 and won his fighter pilot's wings in 1976.
Q. Given that a Western air force has not engaged in an aerial dogfight for decades, what is the French Air Force's main mission?
A. The main mission is deterrence because the nation's survival is at stake. We're responsible for the airborne component with the Mirage 2000N and soon, the Rafale with the ASMP/A missile. There is national air security, which guarantees sovereignty of the skies. We assign significant resources in detection, command and control, and interception.
There's intervention. As you say, for years there hasn't been an aerial engagement. Does that mean there will never be one? I don't think so. One day, there'll be an urgent need for opposition in the third dimension. And there has been the emergence of new actors with drones. The drone marks the beginning of "robotization." Robotization permits access to the third dimension by new actors. We're beginning to see that in conflicts, such as in South Lebanon, where there has been an interception of an unmanned drone by a piloted aircraft.
Access to the third dimension becomes easier for nonstate actors and that's why it's important to ensure the primary mission, mastery of the sky, because without that mastery, it's much harder to conduct other aerial operations, and without mastery, you can't impede the adversary's movements.
Q. You recently told the corps of military engineers that to be fully interoperable in the Afghan theater, you need the Rover terminal. Will the Damocles targeting and Reco NG reconnaissance pods be compatible?
A. We're totally interoperable. We demonstrate that every day in Afghanistan with the Rafale and Mirage 2000D, which are fully integrated into the network, into communications, command and control, in the concept of operations and planning. We're able to exchange information in real time between the air and ground. What's lacking is a piece of equipment which allows real-time video transmission between air and ground. This equipment appeared recently and imposed itself extremely quickly in operations. We were a bit late because we started off with exchanges of fixed images. Steps are being taken. I have every hope we will begin to equip our forces this autumn. Our approach is to apply lessons from the battlefield to equipment.
Q. What do you say to critics who say that with engagements in complex urban environments, UAVs and precision-guided missiles, there is less need for a Cold War weapon like the Rafale?
A. The operations we're doing in Afghanistan show the contrary. The Rafale is the only one in its category which is truly multimission. It is equipped with fully fused sensors, with a remarkable man-machine interface, the only one of its generation to be combat-proven. On its third campaign in Afghanistan, what we see is that the choices that were made correspond to operational needs, with the capacity to be inserted into a complex network, with great autonomy, with highly precise sensors and a range of weapons which allows response to all situations.
It is a new aircraft designed with an open architecture, which allows for evolution to meet future strategic environments. The fighter has a long life ahead of it, working in a mixed environment with the drone - which I never call a pilotless aircraft, because there is always a pilot flying remotely.
Q. Connectivity is seen as key to the F-22 and F-35, which are described as flying combat systems. How far are you in developing a concept of operations which fully uses the Rafale's sensors and communications?
A. The progress the Rafale brings is that it is equipped with a large number of sensors capable of receiving and transmitting real-time information. The information gathered by the sensors is easily usable by the pilot and neighboring aircraft thanks to command-and-control aircraft and satellite communications.
Q. Does the greater workload require more twin-seater Rafales?
A. Yes. Our concept is a mixed fleet with single and twin seaters. The final ratio has not been decided. We're working on a lot of the lessons from Afghanistan. The initial choice was to acquire twin seaters for training/transformation and the toughest missions, such as nuclear deterrence, and complex and demanding operations. The Rafale has an interface that allows it to be used by a single pilot, but there are situations where two on board is a plus. The ratio of twin seaters at the start is high as first we need to train, and second, we're equipping the nuclear squadrons, and we need to acquire experience. Eventually, a ratio of 30 [percent] to 60 percent.
-- By Pierre Tran in Paris.
Gen. Stephane Abrial - Defense News
French Air Force Chief
Published: 8 June 2009
Print Print | Print Email
Gen. Stéphane Abrial, chief of the Air Force, is bringing the new Rafale frontline fighter into service as aircrews fly combat missions in Afghanistan and forward air controllers wait for delivery of video transmission equipment, expected in the autumn, that allows tighter air-ground coordination with allied forces. He holds industry to delivering the A400M airlifter to specification. The delivery delay forces the service to keep 40-year-old Transall airframes up in the air for the flight hours and operations needed for vital pilot certification.
Gen. Stephane Abrial is chief of the French Air Force.
Meanwhile, Abrial is in line for a top job in NATO's Allied Command Transformation, an appointment seen as a reward for France's return to the integrated military command structure. Abrial attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974 and won his fighter pilot's wings in 1976.
Q. Given that a Western air force has not engaged in an aerial dogfight for decades, what is the French Air Force's main mission?
A. The main mission is deterrence because the nation's survival is at stake. We're responsible for the airborne component with the Mirage 2000N and soon, the Rafale with the ASMP/A missile. There is national air security, which guarantees sovereignty of the skies. We assign significant resources in detection, command and control, and interception.
There's intervention. As you say, for years there hasn't been an aerial engagement. Does that mean there will never be one? I don't think so. One day, there'll be an urgent need for opposition in the third dimension. And there has been the emergence of new actors with drones. The drone marks the beginning of "robotization." Robotization permits access to the third dimension by new actors. We're beginning to see that in conflicts, such as in South Lebanon, where there has been an interception of an unmanned drone by a piloted aircraft.
Access to the third dimension becomes easier for nonstate actors and that's why it's important to ensure the primary mission, mastery of the sky, because without that mastery, it's much harder to conduct other aerial operations, and without mastery, you can't impede the adversary's movements.
Q. You recently told the corps of military engineers that to be fully interoperable in the Afghan theater, you need the Rover terminal. Will the Damocles targeting and Reco NG reconnaissance pods be compatible?
A. We're totally interoperable. We demonstrate that every day in Afghanistan with the Rafale and Mirage 2000D, which are fully integrated into the network, into communications, command and control, in the concept of operations and planning. We're able to exchange information in real time between the air and ground. What's lacking is a piece of equipment which allows real-time video transmission between air and ground. This equipment appeared recently and imposed itself extremely quickly in operations. We were a bit late because we started off with exchanges of fixed images. Steps are being taken. I have every hope we will begin to equip our forces this autumn. Our approach is to apply lessons from the battlefield to equipment.
Q. What do you say to critics who say that with engagements in complex urban environments, UAVs and precision-guided missiles, there is less need for a Cold War weapon like the Rafale?
A. The operations we're doing in Afghanistan show the contrary. The Rafale is the only one in its category which is truly multimission. It is equipped with fully fused sensors, with a remarkable man-machine interface, the only one of its generation to be combat-proven. On its third campaign in Afghanistan, what we see is that the choices that were made correspond to operational needs, with the capacity to be inserted into a complex network, with great autonomy, with highly precise sensors and a range of weapons which allows response to all situations.
It is a new aircraft designed with an open architecture, which allows for evolution to meet future strategic environments. The fighter has a long life ahead of it, working in a mixed environment with the drone - which I never call a pilotless aircraft, because there is always a pilot flying remotely.
Q. Connectivity is seen as key to the F-22 and F-35, which are described as flying combat systems. How far are you in developing a concept of operations which fully uses the Rafale's sensors and communications?
A. The progress the Rafale brings is that it is equipped with a large number of sensors capable of receiving and transmitting real-time information. The information gathered by the sensors is easily usable by the pilot and neighboring aircraft thanks to command-and-control aircraft and satellite communications.
Q. Does the greater workload require more twin-seater Rafales?
A. Yes. Our concept is a mixed fleet with single and twin seaters. The final ratio has not been decided. We're working on a lot of the lessons from Afghanistan. The initial choice was to acquire twin seaters for training/transformation and the toughest missions, such as nuclear deterrence, and complex and demanding operations. The Rafale has an interface that allows it to be used by a single pilot, but there are situations where two on board is a plus. The ratio of twin seaters at the start is high as first we need to train, and second, we're equipping the nuclear squadrons, and we need to acquire experience. Eventually, a ratio of 30 [percent] to 60 percent.
-- By Pierre Tran in Paris.
Gen. Stephane Abrial - Defense News
J
John
Guest
well the Chief claims they lack video real time transmission and sharing abilities which the SH has been doing for many years now and that ability is ever increasing with UAVS as well being able to feed in live videos to the SH. The thing that puts the SH ahead is the maturity of its abilities.
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This equipment appeared recently and imposed itself extremely quickly in operations. We were a bit late because we started off with exchanges of fixed images. Steps are being taken. I have every hope we will begin to equip our forces this autumn. Our approach is to apply lessons from the battlefield to equipment.
But check this ,
Recent years have seen another spreading improvement within global fighter fleets, however: Infa-Red Search & Track (IRST) systems that provide long range thermal imaging against air and ground targets. Most of these deployments have been on Russian (MiG-29 family, SU-30 family) and European (Eurofighter, Rafale) fighters, or special American exports (UAE’s F-16E/F Block 60s, F-15K/SG).
That absence puts American fighters behind an important curve. This IRST approach can defeat radar stealth in some instances, by focusing on engine exhaust or on the friction of the aircraft as it powers through the atmosphere. As F-14 pilots will recall, long range electro-optics also offer positive identification, conferring the ability to use a plane’s missiles to their full ranges, without creating friendly fire concerns. Best of all, IRST offers a passive way to locate and target enemy aircraft – one that won’t trigger radar warning receivers. When coupled with medium-range IR missiles like some Russian AA-10 variants, France’s MICA-IR, or even future versions of AMRAAM NCADE, an IRST system offers a fighter both an extra set of medium-range eyes, and a stealthy air-to-air combat weapon.
A program is beginning that would give American “teen series” fighters this capability, albeit in a somewhat unusual way…
Instead of modifying the Super Hornet’s airframe’s structure or wiring, the partners will be taking an unusual route: modifying a 480 gallon centerline fuel tank to carry 330 gallons of fuel + the IRST system. This approach would also allow refits to existing Super Hornets, and indeed to all “teen series” fighters in the US arsenal, once software integration is performed for each aircraft type.
The drawback to this approach is that a centerline tank with IRST needs to stay on the airplane in combat, compromising its aerodynamic performance and radar signature.
F-18 Super Hornets to Get IRST
J
John
Guest
well for now during testing the IRST is on a fuel tank but eventually will be placed in the radome of the SH, For now its just temporary, the link below shows it proposed permanent location on the aircraft.
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=16843
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=16843
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Wheels up for new Rafale - F3+ and a possible F4
Defense Technology International | Jun-09 | Express 3 | Zinio Digital Magazines
page 29
Defense Technology International | Jun-09 | Express 3 | Zinio Digital Magazines
page 29
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J
John
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So we will get F-3+ variant if we choose to go for it. taking into account it will only ready by 2012 if we order it or else it will only be ready 2015.
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If delivery time is taken into consideration, then the SH is the only fighter ready and proven as per RFI. All others need time to develop.
If 2015 is when deliveries start, then it's too late as we expect the next gen of fighters will come along.
If 2015 is when deliveries start, then it's too late as we expect the next gen of fighters will come along.
J
John
Guest
well SH plant is over 3 months ahead of schedule and is the only contender that can meet the 2012/2013 deadline for the first delivery, i wonder how much IAF is willing to compromise on delivery timings.
I don't understand what is the need for air superiority fighter. I understand that we are looking at a agile and a light fighter to replace Migs and Jags. For air superiority we already have one dependable aircraft, which is a hornet killer. Also we need an aircraft which is fuel efficient also. Su, SH are gas guzzlers. I feel Eurofighter / Rafale fits in very appropriately.
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^^^
You must understand that this deal is no more what it was designed to be.
The contract is becoming more political than pure military. That way even the Eurofighter was designed for air-superiority. Today, its the weapon configuration which decides a fighters designation.
You must understand that this deal is no more what it was designed to be.
The contract is becoming more political than pure military. That way even the Eurofighter was designed for air-superiority. Today, its the weapon configuration which decides a fighters designation.
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Yes , it should be , since USAF has reduced its numbers in favor of F 35.
Senator clashes with Navy over Super Hornet cuts - Related Stories - AIA dailyLead
Kicked out in most of the competitions(Swiss,Norway,Denmark) , having only one stop gap order(Aus 24) , it has no future. even countries operating hornets like spain,finland and kuwait are not interested in it . It will be sidelined by F-35 of F 15 .
J
John
Guest
I agree the weapons config decides and during trials both in India and in the US, the SH is most likely to impress simply due to the sheer number of fairly accurate, long range, economical weapons it can deploy for all types of roles. The fact that the SH can carry upto 12 Aim-120C duirng AA roles shows that it packs more punch and with its excellent nose authority can on any given day allow it to be a deadly adversary to any 4.5 or 5 thgen aircraft.
p2prada
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^^ Again with the weapons. How about scrapping the MRCA and buying B-1s or Tu-160s. They will carry more and drop more. Perhaps modify them to carry AESA and BVR too. We will be dropping 40 tons of CBU-105s per sortie. Not to mention they can carry Brahmos and KS-172 too. More advantages.
We can probably go for atleast 30 bombers with the MRCA money.
Fighters do more than drop bombs.
We can probably go for atleast 30 bombers with the MRCA money.
Fighters do more than drop bombs.
J
John
Guest
well besides Rafale, the Viper and the Bug are the only ones who can seriously impress completely since they're the only ones with an operational AESA. Both Falcon and Bug have more weapons already integrated on them than the Rafale and hence during full-scale trails next year when our pilots go to respective countries, there will be a lot of weapons tests and needless to say SH and bug will standout with their out standing flexibility. moreover The viper and bug represent both single and twin engine aircraft.
tharikiran
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I strongly feel, no matter which aircraft wins, if they don't let us customize it the way we want, we won't take it.Other than that the other competitors are more than willing for full TOT.
We are the clients. Client is "Parmatma"
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