Comparison of weaponry

[EagleEyes]

This thread is dedicated to discuss the comparisons of weaponry in IAF and PAF. If we lack something, what can be acquired to meet our needs. Which missiles can be integrated into the aircrafts we have or are planning to have.

Get in the line up and discuss.

 

[Best of the Best]

Yeah, PAF needs some BVR missle and WVR missles weather the South African Daniel series. The american Aim-120C/B, Aim-9X, the Chinese SD-10/PL-12 or the Russian missles lol but the fact is IAF is better equipped than PAF anyday anytime as far as air to air missles go. PAF needs to get some decent missles in its inventory period.

 

[miroslav]

Originally posted by WebMaster@Dec 6 2005, 02:20 AM
This thread is dedicated to discuss the comparisons of weaponry in IAF and PAF. If we lack something, what can be acquired to meet our needs. Which missiles can be integrated into the aircrafts we have or are planning to have.

Get in the line up and discuss. 

[post=4445]Quoted post[/post]​

Humble request to all,

Let's keep the aircrafts away from this.

We have already discussed it till death.

Let's only focus on avionics, trainers, Weapons et.

Thanks,

Miro

 

[miroslav]

R-77RVV-AE [AA-12 ADDER]

Note: As per the annual United Nations (U.N.) conventional arms register, the Indian Government reported that it had purchased 30 R-77RVV-AE missiles in 1999 and 120 R-77RVV-AE missiles in 2000. These numbers suggest that the R-77RVV-AE is operational with the IAF, at a minimum with the upgraded MiG-21s and the Su-30s. In October 1998, a locally-upgraded MiG-29 test-fired a R-77RVV-AE air-to-air missile.

Work on the R-77 began in 1982 and was considered quite significant and secret since it represented Russia's first fully multi-purpose missile for both tactical and strategic aircraft for fire-and-forget employment against everything from hovering helicopters to high speed, low altitude aircraft. Gennadiy Sokolovski, General Designer of the Vympel Design Bureau, said that the R-77 missile can be used also against medium and long range air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-54 Phoenix as well as SAMs such as the Patriot. It can also be used against cruise missiles and even precision-guided munitions (PGMs). First seen in 1992 at the MosAeroshow '92, the R-77RVV-AE was immediately nick-named Amraamski by Western journalists. The Russian-language version of the acronym for the weapon is RVV-AE and is also known as the Izdieliye-170. The missile can also be used from internal carriages where the control fins and surfaces will fold flat until it is catapulted clear of the aircraft for motor ignition.

The aerodynamics are novel, combining vestigial cruciform wings with tail control surfaces of a lattice configuration. Each surface consists of a metal frame containing a blade-like grid assembly which combines a greater control area, and thus lifting force, with reduced weight and size. The development for this control concept took three years of theoretical work and testing. Referred to by the Russians as gas dynamic declination devices, these surfaces require less powerful actuators than conventional fins, and have a lower RCS. The flow separation which occurs at high angles of attack enhances the it's turning ability, giving the missile a maximum turn rate of up to 150º per second. During the initial flight phase after launch, the missile is controlled by an inertial auto pilot with occasional data link updates from the launch aircraft's radar on changes in spatial position or G of the target. During the terminal phase, the missile shifts to an active-radar mode.

Over short distances, the missile will launch in an active mode. The host radar system maintains computed target information in case the target breaks the missile's lock-on. If the seeker is jammed, it switches automatically to a passive mode and homes on the source of jamming. Development trials have been completed, and the missile is now entering production for use on aircraft such as the Mig-29, Su-27 and Mig-31. Fired against high-altitude non-manoeuvring targets approaching head-on, the R-77RVV-AE has a range of 100 km, with the seeker locking on at around 20 km, and a maximum speed of Mach 4. At short range, it can engage targets manoeuvring at up to 12g.

There are other variants under development. One has an up-rated motor which is intended to boost range at high altitudes to as much as 160 km and is known as the R-77RVV-AE-PD. The 'PD' stands for Povyshenoy Dalnosti, which in Russian means Improved Range. This variant has been test-fired and uses a solid-fuel ramjet engine. Its range puts it in the long-range class and is equivalent to that of the AIM-54 Phoenix. In another version of the R-77, a terminal infra-red homing seeker is offered. The use of IR tracking in the terminal mode might be logical because at extended ranges the data link between the launch fighter and the missile might be interrupted, or the host radar may not detect jamming. It has a laser fuze and an exploding rod warhead that can destroy the variable sized targets from missiles and PGMs to bombers.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

Thanks,

Miro

 

[miroslav]

R-73RDM2 [AA-11 ARCHER]

Note: SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reported that 180 R-73 air-to-air missiles were ordered by the Indian Air Force in 1995 and all 180 were delivered by 1996. SIPRI also reported that 1520 R-73 air-to-air missiles were ordered in 1996 and 500 were delivered by 2001. As per the annual UN conventional arms register, the Indian Government reported it had purchased 100 R-73E missiles in 1999.

Development of the R-73 began at the Molniya Design Bureau. When that organization was tasked with developing the Buran Space shuttle, work on the R-73 (Izdieliye-62) was reassigned to the Vympel design bureau, which completed it&#39;s development in 1985. The R-73 is the first in-service Russian missile to have a combination of aerodynamic and TVC systems. This combination provides excellent manoeuvrability, thus allowing rounds to be fired at targets in almost any direction from a manoeuvring aircraft. The missile is of basic aluminium alloy construction (axial-symmetric cruciform scheme with small elongated tailfins) with the following component sections:

• Seeker
• Autopilot
• Warhead
• Proximity-fuze
• Aero-surfaces
• Aero-rudder actuators
• A solid-propellant motor
• Thrust vectoring control vanes

The unique combination of aero and exhaust-gas manoeuvre control represents the world&#39;s first operational thrust vector missile providing an exceptional manoeuvring capability during the powered flight phase. Fixed stabilizers and AoA transducers are installed in the nose just aft of the seeker before fixed canard control surfaces. During the high impulse solid-rocket motor burn, the missile is controlled by the canards, joined in pairs on each control channel and by the four in-flow jet exhaust vanes which also work in pairs. The fixed tail-fins have ailerons on their trailing edges mechanically coupled to each other for roll stabilization. After motor burn out, and when there is no indication of post boost cruise burn, missile control is provided only by the aerodynamic surfaces.

All the missiles gas actuators are fed by a power pressure accumulator that bleeds overboard and is estimated to be of a lower pressure then Western missiles due to reduced aerodynamic loadings on the optimized control surfaces. The R-73 is fitted to a common launcher rail that holds an internal cooling bottle. The R-73 seeker is capable of being fired without any limitations of G, Angle of Attack (AoA), or aircraft attitude. The seeker-head can be cued to the target by matching the look angle of the locked up aircraft radar and/or IRST, or the sighting line of the pilot&#39;s eye through the helmet sight. Guidance to the intercept point is performed according to proportional navigation methods.

An improved version, designated R-73RDM2, has an up-rated rocket motor giving twice the range and seeker sensitivity of the earlier model under typical combat conditions. It can also be fired rearward to protect the rear hemisphere of the launching aircraft. It has a 90º off-boresight capability, re-programmable digital control electronics, a better resistance to IR counter-measures and the capability to engage low-flying targets. The integrated counter-countermeasures (ICCM) combines four different techniques and has an algorithm that will allow the missile to shift its aim from the engine of a targeted aircraft to the middle of the airframe in the final milliseconds of an intercept. The R-73RDM2 has a range of 40 km and a maximum speed of Mach 4.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

The R-73 missile. The insert shows the TVC paddles

Miro

 

[miroslav]

R-27RE1/TE1 [AA-10 ALOMO-C/D]

Note: SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reported that 300 R-27R1/T1 air-to-air missiles were ordered by the Indian Air Force in 1995 and all 300 missiles were delivered in the same year. SIPRI reported that 1140 R-27E missiles were ordered in 1996 and 250 were delivered by 2001. SIPRI also reported that 1140 R-27R1/T1 missiles were ordered from Ukraine in 1996 and 304 were delivered by 2001. As per the annual UN conventional arms register, the Indian Government reported it had purchased 40 R-27ER1 and 36 R-27ET1 missiles in 1999 and 20 R-27ER1 and 20 R-27ET1 missiles in 2000.

Designed for use on fourth generation fighters such as the Mig-29 and Su-27, and now on modernised versions of the earlier MiG-series. It entered production in 1986 and is now the principal medium-range Russian air-to-air missile. The first versions to enter service were the semi-active radar guided R-27R1 (AA-10 Alamo-B) and the infra-red guided R-27T1 (AA-10 Alamo-A). Both these versions use inertial guidance updated by a communication link during the initial phase of flight.

A follow-up version has an up-rated rocket motor which increases the length of the missile by around 17%. This version has a semi-active radar and infra-red variants which are the R-27RE1 (AA-10 Alamo-C) and the R-27TE1 (AA-10 Alamo-D) respectively. The R-27RE1 and R-27TE1 are intended for destruction of targets at night and daytime, under normal or adverse meteorological conditions into the forward and rear target hemispheres including against the background of various underlying surfaces with the enemy active manoeuvring and jamming counteraction. The R-27TE1 has a range of 130 km and a maximum speed of Mach 2.5, while the R-27RE1 has a range of 70 km and a maximum speed of Mach 2.5.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

The R-27RE1 (AA-10 Alamo-C)

<div class='bbimg'></div>

The R-27TE1 (AA-10 Alamo-C)

<div class='bbimg'></div>

This IAF Su-30 is armed with four R-27RE1 (AA-10 Alamo-C) and six R-73RDM2 (AA-11 Archer) air-to-air missiles.

Miro

 

[miroslav]

R-60MK [AA-8 APHID-C]

The first tactical light weight missile designed exclusively for fighter-to-fighter close-in combat was the R-60 (AA-8 Aphid). This missile was needed to augment the cannon in close-in situations and was also required to work from a minimum range of around 1000 feet out to the limits of cannon range (9000 feet). The concept of a dogfight missile was not yet as clear with the Russian pilots as it was in the West.

The R-60 is around half the weight of western heat-seeking missiles. As a result, the warhead weighs a mere 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs.), limiting its lethality. The original model, R-60T (AA-8 Aphid-A), was developed during the late 1960s and had entered production in 1973. The R-60T had a maximum range of 7.2 km, modest by the standards of current infra-red guided missiles, but impressive for such a small missile.

It is reported that the R-60 was a tail-chase weapon, and that all-aspect performance was achieved by later models. Two new versions exist; the improved R-60M and a new R-60MK developed for the MiG-29. The MK variant has a head-on range of 12 km and a tail-on of 8 km, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and uses proportional navigation for guidance. It became the first missile to be incorporated with the new helmet-mounted sighting system in the MiG-29.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

Two R-60MK AAMs fitted on an Indian Air Force MiG-21bis

Miro

 

[miroslav]

R-23R/T [AA-7 APEX-A/B]

Originally known as the OKB-134, the R-23 was developed in the mid-1960s for use on the Russian Air Force&#39;s workhorse - the MiG-23 Flogger. The missile is broadly comparable with the American AIM-7E Sparrow, but with a lower range. It was deployed in the semi-active radar guided (R-23R) and infra-red guided (R-23T) versions. The propulsion system is based on a boost/sustain solid motor, with a maximum speed of Mach 3. It has a maximum range of 35 km and a 40 kg warhead.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

The R-23R has a pointed nose cap, while the R-23T, has a blunter transparent nose cap.

Miro

 

[miroslav]

MATRA SUPER 530D

The Super 530D retains the same general aerodynamic features and internal layout as its Super 530F predecessor, with cruciform low aspect ratio wings and cruciform aft controls. However, the stainless steel body is longer to accommodate a new radome & seeker assembly and a new and more powerful dual-thrust solid propellant motor. The missile is 3.80 metres long, has a body diameter of 263mm, a wing span of 0.62 metres and with the same warhead as the Super 530F missile, weighing 270 kg.

Guidance is by the mono-pulse AD26 CW Doppler semi-active seeker, which has improved ECCM capability, and improved capability against low-flying targets. The missile&#39;s guidance unit is also fitted with digital micro-processing, which enables the seeker to be reprogrammed against new threats. The missile has a claimed maximum interception altitude of 80,000 feet (24,400 metres), with a snap-up capability of 40,000 feet (12,200 metres), and a snap-down capability to targets at 200 feet (60 metres). The missile has a range of 40 km and a maximum speed of Mach 5.

Specifications

Length: 3.80 metres
Body Diameter: 263 mm
Wing Span: 0.62 metres
Launch Weight: 270 kg
Warhead: 30 kg HE-FRAG
Fuse: Active radar
Guidance: Semi-active radar
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 40 km.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

A Mirage 2000H (KF115), from the No.7 Squadron, in flight with a MiG-29B [KB3107] from No.47 Black Archers Squadron on a Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) exercise. KF115 is armed with two medium-range Super 530D and two close-combat Magic II air-to-air missiles. KB3107 is armed with a pair each of the medium-range R-27RE1 and the close-combat R-60MK air-to-air missile.

Miro

 

[miroslav]

MATRA MAGIC-II

The Magic-II is an improved version of the Magic-I missile. It entered development in the late 1970s and entered service in 1985. It has many improvements over the Magic-I, but principally it has an all-aspect engagement capability and it takes far less time to prepare the missiles for launch. The Magic-II missiles were designed to use the AIM-9 Sidewinder interfaces and can be carried on various aircraft including the Mirage 2000, Jaguar IS/IB/IM, Sea Harrier and also on MiG-21/23s, all of which are in service with the IAF and the Indian Navy. The missile has a range of 10 km and a maximum speed of Mach 2+

The Magic-II weighs at 90 kg and has double nose fins and free rotating rear wings. The front 4 delta fins are fixed and the four moving control fins have a rectangular forward section followed by a delta rear section. This double canard configuration allows the moving fins to maintain control at higher angles of incidence. The missile has a more sensitive IR seeker with a head-on capability, an improved IR counter-countermeasures including flare rejection, a RF proximity fuze, a 10% increase in motor thrust and a 13 kg. HE-FRAG warhead. The missile can be slaved to the aircraft radar or a helmet-mounted sight and designated a target, or it can be used in the autonomous mode to scan in either the vertical or horizontal planes and lock onto a target without help from the aircraft radar. The missile seeker is cooled by gaseous nitrogen carried in the launcher.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

Interior of the Magic-II missile

Thanks,

Miro

 

[miroslav]

ASTRA BVRAAM (Under Development)

Astra is a state-of-the-art beyond visual range air to air missile (BVRAAM) designed for a range of over 80 km in head-on mode and 20 km in tail-chase mode. It can engage highly manoeuvring targets. The Astra missile programme is headed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The goal of this programme is to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with an indigenously-designed BVRAAM to equip the IAF&#39;s Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30MKI and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). A model of the Astra missile was first shown to the public at Aero India &#39;98. On 25 July 2001 in Indian Parliament, then-incumbent Defence Minister Jaswant Singh said that a feasibility study for the Astra has commenced, after the completion of which a project for development of the Astra is planned to be undertaken.

Development of this missile is likely to take about seven to eight years. The Indian government funded the Rs.1000-crore national project to develop a futuristic BVRAM missile Astra in June 2004 for delivery by 2009. Led by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), this indigenously developed missile is estimated to cost Rs. 3 to 5 crore. The missile is expected to be at the high-end of tactical missiles, and propel India into the exclusive club of countries to possess such missiles. The US has a similar missile but heavier, while Israel also has a BVR missile, but the range is comparatively shorter. The Mirage 2000H has been designated as the first potential platform for the Astra when the weapon enters service at the end of this decade. The Astra was first test fired on 09 May 2003.

The missile is capable of operating in the altitude bracket from sea level to 20 km. It has a single stage smokeless solid fuel rocket with a burn time of 5.4 seconds. It&#39;s low drag low aspect ratio wings allows it to reach long range. It uses dual mode guidance i.e. inertial navigation during midcourse and active radar homing in terminal phase. Secure data link allows midcourse re-tasking. On board autopilot and guidance software uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) for accurate guidance and optimized trajectory. The on-board ECCM capability allows it to stay on course in spite of enemy ECM (deception or noise jamming) by target aircraft (self protection jammer or dedicated EW aircraft). The 15 kg high explosive payload is pre-fragmented and proximity fuse armed. The guidance computer aims the shape charge to focus the explosive energy towards the target.

The Astra is intended to have performance characteristics similar to the R-77RVV-AE (AA-12), which currently forms part of the IAF&#39;s missile armoury. The missile is 3.8 metres long and is said to be configured like a longer version of the Super 530D, narrower in front of the wings. Astra uses a HTPB solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg HE (high-explosive) warhead, activated by a proximity fuse. The missile has a maximum speed of Mach 4+ and a maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile is designed to pull a lateral acceleration of 40g in both yaw and pitch planes using 4 fins at the rear as all moveable control surfaces. The missile can also be launched in close combat. Although designed to use a locally developed solid fuel propellant, DRDO is also looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion to provide greater range and enhanced kinematic performance.

Robert Hewson, editor of Jane&#39;s Air Launched Weapons (JALW), in a March 2003 issue of Jane&#39;s Defence Weekly (JDW) stated, "The basic Astra design uses a metallic airframe with a long low aspect-ratio wing and a single-stage smokeless rocket motor. After launch, the missile will use a combination of inertial mid-course guidance and/or data-linked targeting updates before it enters its terminal acquisition phase. In a head-on engagement, the Astra will have a maximum range of 80 km. The missile&#39;s onboard radio-frequency seeker has been largely designed in India but incorporates a degree of outside assistance, according to DRDO sources. It will have an autonomous homing range of 15 km. The missile&#39;s warhead is a pre-fragmented directional unit, fitted with a proximity fuze. A radar fuze already exists for the Astra, but the DRDO is currently working on a new laser fuze.

Specifications

• Length: 3570 mm
• Body Diameter: 178 mm
• Wing Span: Not Known
• Launch Weight: 154 kg

• Air Launcher Weight: 60 kg
• Launch Altitude: Sea level (minimum) to 20 km (maximum).

• Launch Speed: 0.6 to 2.2 Mach.

• Warhead: 15 kg pre-fragmented, high explosive, directional warhead.
• Propulsion: One solid rocket motor.
• Burn Time: 5.4 seconds.

• Range: 80 km head on, 20 km tail chase.

• Maximum Turning Acceleration: 40 Gs (Yaw & Pitch)

• Fuse: Radar Proximity (laser proximity to follow).
• Guidance: Inertial midcourse with data-linked updates, active-radar terminal homing.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

Model of the Astra BVRAAM at Aero India &#39;98. The other &#39;missile&#39; model in the background is also another DRDO creation --&#62; the medium-range Akash surface-to-air missile.

Thanks,

Miro

 

[miroslav]

LITENING LASER DESIGNATION POD

IAF&#39;s Mirage 2000s are equipped with the Thomson-CSF RDM radar which allows multi-mode functioning. It is also fitted with an Antilope terrain-following radar for automatic flight, down to 61 meters. IAF Mirage 2000s are fitted with either the Litening laser designation pod or the Thomson-CSF ATLIS LDP for use with the Paveway II laser guided bombs.

LITENING Laser Designation Pod

LITENING is an advanced airborne infrared targeting and navigation pod. Designed to improve both day and night attack capabilities, LITENING presents pilots with real-time, FLIR and CCD imagery. It is fully operational 24 hours a day and in adverse weather conditions. The LITENING design enables the fighter air crew to carry out the following missions/tasks:

• Laser spot detection
• Performance of low level night flights
• Identification of aerial targets from BVR ranges
• Detection/Recognition/Identification/Laser designation of surface targets
• Accurate delivery of laser guided bombs, cluster and general purpose bombs

In order to accomplish all these tasks, LITENING employs five main sensors located on a single optical bench in the forward section of LITENING:

FLIR - LITENING uses a high performance FLIR with three Fields of View. The wide FOV is displayed on the head-up for navigation while Medium and Narrow FOVs are used for target selection and are displayed on a heads-down display.

CCD camera - The CCD camera significantly improves daytime performance when compared to the FLIR selection.

Laser designator / Range-finder - LITENING uses a 100 mJ laser to designate targets selected by the air crews and provides guidance to the laser guided bomb.

Laser spot designator - The laser spot detector detects the laser energy from a secondary source, enabling ground or airborne Forward Air Controllers (FACs) to designate the targets for the fighter aircraft. This feature is not present in any of the competitor pods.

Strap-down system - The SDS aligns LITENING to the aircraft line-of-sight electronically, improves target tracking and stabilizes the seeker.

All these sensors incorporated in a single pod provide the fighter aircrew with the flexibility to perform multiple missions and make LITENING the most cost effective solution available.


<div class='bbimg'></div>

LITENING Laser Designation Pod

<div class='bbimg'></div>

LITENING components diagram

Miro

 

[miroslav]

SEA EAGLE AShM

The Sea Eagle AShM is a computer-controlled, all-weather, fire & forget, sea skimming missile. The missile has an active radar target seeker and its long range allows a covert approach by the launch aircraft. The propulsion system, a TRI 60 turbojet engine from Microturbo, provides a speed of Mach 1.1+ with a 110 km range. After launch, the missile is autonomous, its trajectory & homing being controlled by on-board computers. An onboard computer control unit provides an over-the-horizon capability. The control and guidance system is an inertial navigation system with active radar homing.

Launched in air, the Sea Eagle AShM is carried by the Indian Navy&#39;s Sea Harrier Frs Mk.51 and the Sea King Mk.42B helicopter and also on the IAF&#39;s Jaguar IM. On 24 April 1997, the Sea Eagle successfully struck a decommissioned vessel of the Indian Navy (the Niligiri) during a live target exercise. The missile was fired from a Sea Harrier Frs Mk.51. In June 2000, the Sea Eagle successfully struck another decommissioned vessel of the Indian Navy (the Hosdurg) during a live target exercise. On this occasion, the missile was fired from a Jaguar IM. With the Sea Eagle AShM being retired from service from the Royal Navy, the Indian Navy and Air Force have also followed suit and has examined various Russian anti-ship missiles for viable replacements and it appears that the 3M-24E AShM is the most likely replacement.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

An IAF Jaguar IM (JM252) with a Sea Eagle AShM under the fuselage.

Miro

 

[miroslav]

MATRA ARMAT

The Matra ARMAT was developed from the earlier Anglo-French AS 37/AJ.168 MARTEL (Missile Anti-Radar Television). Development of the ARMAT began in 1980; and was tested in 1982-84. The standard load is two for a Mirage 2000 and one for a Jaguar. The missile has a speed of Mach 0.9, with a minimum range of 15 km and a maximum range of 120 km. As an anti-radiation missile, the ARMAT has a cylindrical body with a pointed nose, four cropped-delta wings and four in-line cropped delta tail fins just astern of the main wings. Propulsion system is based on a solid fuel rocket. The anti-radar seeker has sufficient sensitivity to acquire the target radar before the radar acquires the host aircraft. It has a proximity fuze and a warhead weight of 160 kg.

<div class='bbimg'></div>

A sketch of the Matra ARMAT anti-radiation missile.

Miro

 

[miroslav]

AS-30L

The AS-30L (L - laser) is intended for attacking high-value targets such as bridges, hardened shelters, ships, etc. The design takes the best of the all-the-way propulsion combined with the laser guidance principle for ensuring an unequalled high-first-pass target kill probability. The firing installation makes extensive use of existing circuitry and controls. Has a total weight of 450 kg and a warhead weight of 240 kg. The missile has a range of 12 km and a speed of Mach 1.5, with an estimated flight time to maximum range being 22 seconds. The AS-30L is used by the Indian AF&#39;s Mirage 2000H and Jaguar IS fighter aircraft. However it&#39;s missile-launchers can also be adapted to any other fighter aircraft if needed. For laser guidance, IAF&#39;s Mirage 2000H & Jaguar IS are equipped with the Israeli LITENING Laser Designation Pod (LDP).

<div class='bbimg'></div>

A close-up picture of the AS-30L

Miro