Dassault Rafale, tender | News & Discussions

[KEETARP]

An enhanced performance engine (EPE) version of the GE F414 would provide a 20-percent increase in thrust. India has requested this extra power

Something to look out what others are offering in Engine thrust .

 

[jha]

Something to look out what others are offering in Engine thrust .

Yup..especially since other favorite RAFALE is said be having some problems with thrust..
with each passing day SH becomes stronger in the competition...

 

[Sunny FOXGLOVE]

I say, multi-role canard-delta strike fighter, Eurofighter Typhoon gonna win this contract wid d power of its twin-engine & thrust vectoring. Also it is equipped wid d Captor-E (CAESAR) AESA radar.

 

[your fear]

we have two good option rafale and eurrofighter we should select one of tem and dont waste more time

 

[Dash]

Guys, what say, EFT will not be selected, simply because it doesnt fit the budget. Does it?

 

[gogbot]

Super Hornet mods added to export list​

Boeing announced here yesterday a set of potential enhancements to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet that it will market to export prospects. They include an enclosed weapons pod that is intended to lower the aircraft’s radar cross section. The countries currently evaluating or expressing interest in the Super Hornet include Brazil, Denmark, India, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Qatar.

There are six elements to what Boeing calls the “Super Hornet International Road Map.” The first is already under development and was seen by AIN during a visit to St. Louis last month. This is the Next Generation cockpit, which brings to the F-18 the large (11- by 19-inch) one-piece, touchscreen display, seen previously only on the Lockheed Martin F-35. Such a display helps improve the fused presentation of the integrated sensor suite that is already a big Super Hornet feature. The new cockpit could be made available for deliveries in 2013, according to Shelley Lavender, Boeing’s vice-president Global Strike Systems.

The other enhancements would be available from 2015, she said. These include the enclosed weapons pod, which would be carried on the centerline station, and may possibly be partially faired into the fuselage. It is sized for four AIM-120 AMRAAMs, but can also take air-to-ground weapons. According to Mike Gibbons, the Boeing F/A-18 program manager, an element of stealth was already designed into the Super Hornet. “We inserted some offerings from our Joint Strike Fighter proposal, in terms of shaping and materials,” he said in St Louis last month. Stealth on the aircraft is complemented by the active electronic warfare system , he added.

Conformal fuel tanks can straddle the upper fuselage, and confer an additional 10 percent range, according to Lavender. An enhanced performance engine (EPE) version of the GE F414 would provide a 20-percent increase in thrust. India has requested this extra power. The final two enhancements on offer are an internal IRST (infrared search and track) system, carried in the nose, and a spherical missile and laser warning system, housed above and (presumably also) below the airplane.

I am really intrested in the

They include an enclosed weapons pod that is intended to lower the aircraft’s radar cross section

This will lead to a very High survivability rate for aircraft.

I thought SH was out but with these latest additions. Guarantee time tables. And prompt delivery.

Is it worth suffering the US restrictions for this plane.

Otherwise we should go for EFT or SAAB

 

[sancho]

Yup..especially since other favorite RAFALE is said be having some problems with thrust..
with each passing day SH becomes stronger in the competition...

Please, when this will end? Rafale has one of the best T/W ratios in the competition (F18Sh one of the worst!), but people still keeps claiming thrust problems.
Besides that, the GE 414 EPE is nothing new, they offered it for LCA, but it is not developed yet and the USN will not fund the further development, so if at all, we have to fund the development first to get more thrust.
On the other hand Dassault offered Kaveri Snema co-development and even the integration into Rafale, so if we fund an engine development, shouldn't it be our own?

Regarding the upgrade of the F18SH, I am a bit disappointed, because I expected similar CFTs with weapon bays like the F15 SE has, which means the fighter would fly with no external load. But now it seems they replace 4 small AAMs on the wings, with 1 big centerline pod only, wonder how stealthy that really will be (note that SR AAMS will still remain on the wingtips!)?
In A2G the combo of up to 4 MK82 bombs and CFTs might work in CAS, but any bigger strike load must be carried external with other fuel tanks again.

Guys, what say, EFT will not be selected, simply because it doesnt fit the budget. Does it?

Don't think that will be the main problem, but that they can't deliver AESA radar on time and it would be available only as a retrofit option later. Captor M is still a very good radar, but AESA was an important requirement, so IAF/MoD can't ignor it!

 

[CONNAN]

 

[jha]

IAF evaluation report on multi-role aircraft soon

The IAF is set to come out "within the next few days" with the results of the flight tests of six warplanes competing for a multi-billion dollar deal for 126 multi-role combat aircraft, a media report said today. The evaluation report is for the purchase of 126 fighter jet planes with the option for 63 more, and possibly additional follow-on orders.

The entire deal is estimated to be worth more than 10 billion US dollars. The IAF is set to come out with the report "within the next few days," aviation journal Shownews said quoting a Russian news report.

The six firms bidding for the contract are Saab (Gripen E/F), Dassault (Refale), Boeing (F/A-18 E/F), Lockheed Martin (F-16 E/F), EADS (Eurofighter) and RSK-MiG (MiG-35). The Defence Ministry is likely to shortlist three or four of the six aircraft by December this year or January next.

"The final decision on the specific aircraft to be purchased will be political in nature and may only be taken at the end of 2012," the report said. It also claimed that if the Russian MiG is kept out of the final phase, "there might be a decision to buy 50-60 of them outside the tender process.

" India is going in for the MRCA to replace its ageing MiG fleet of Russian origin. At present, the number of IAF squadrons are down to below 35 and the Air Force has been pressing the government for a quicker decision on inducting the warplanes.

 

[Ishan]

IAF evaluation report on multi-role aircraft soon
"The final decision on the specific aircraft to be purchased will be political in nature and may only be taken at the end of 2012," the report said. It also claimed that if the Russian MiG is kept out of the final phase, "there might be a decision to buy 50-60 of them outside the tender process.

.

Wow Tht means MiG 35 Might also be Taken

 

[indushek]

WTF if decision is to be taken in 2012 when will they start coming in, and what happened to the 39 to 32 sqaudron thingy??????

 

[soaringphnx]

It also claimed that if the Russian MiG is kept out of the final phase, "there might be a decision to buy 50-60 of them outside the tender process.

Thank you Jha, You just made my day!!

 

[flanker143]

Thank you Jha, You just made my day!!

same here bro........................ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[soaringphnx]

MRCA Trials Over IAF moves on to Helicopter Trials​

The Indian Air Force has completed its field evaluation trials of all the six aircraft in the fray for its 126-plus Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement and the final report is set to be submitted to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by July-end.

The IAF has indeed stuck to its promise of completing the trials on time, and submitting the report even before the deadline it had initially set for itself. The exhaustive report has more than 600 parametres for each aircraft, and the report, in two sets, covers the performance of each contender, and how many of the 600-plus points the aircraft individually met during the trials.

Combat radars like AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) and FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radars), beyond-the-visual-range, all-weather precision engagement capability, engine power, and various parameters to ensure mission success and pilot survival are among the considerations. For the first time, life cycle costs in maintaining the aircraft for their estimated life of 40 years or 6000 flying hours, is also on the platter.

Significantly, as the acquisition of the MRCAs could take a few years, IAF is ordering another 42 SU MKI aircraft from Russia to add to its existing list of 230 of these formidable air dominance fighters, half of which are already operational with its combat squadrons. More than 100 of these are under production with components made both in Russia and India.

At the same time, IAF has completed the trials of utility helicopters and begun trials of combat helicopters. Boeing’s Apache Longbow AH 64D from the US and Mi 28 from Russia are in the fray.

In the utility category, Eurocopter Fennec 555 and Russia’s Kamov 226 are the two contenders.

The combat helicopter requirement specified tandem configuration, and of the three contenders initially, Augusta Westland is reported to have withdrawn its Mangusta.

Trials for the Heavy lift helicopters, also from the US and Russia, are due to begin within the next few weeks. Boeing is offering its twin-rotor Ch 47F Chinook and Russia, a reconfigured, newer version of its Mi 26 which IAF has been operating since the mid-1980s.

As for the SU 30 MKIs, it may be noted that their purchase of is a follow-on order, and also with a state-run company (Rososboronexport). Under the Indian laws, the acquisition process is much easier in this case than acquiring a system through commercial bids, for which global tenders or Request for Proposals (RfPs) have to be issued. Field Evaluation Trials have also to be carried out.

IAF’s request for 42 more Sukhois has already been accepted and cleared by the MoD. It is now awaiting the formal approval by the government’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by the Prime Minister.

IAF is short of combat and transport aircraft, combat and transport helicopters, utility helicopters, as well as various supporting systems and precision missiles. There is a need not only to replace the old Soviet vintage aircraft and systems but also to augment its strength with new, futuristic technologies.

To speed up the acquisition in some areas at least, IAF is following the government-to-government route, as in the case of C 17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters. A request had been made to the Indian government in this regard in 2009 summer, and by now, the US government has accepted the Indian MoD’s Letter of Request (LoR) while IAF completed the validation trials in June 2010.

Discussions are on between the two governments now on what onboard equipment IAF wants, including spares, engines, training and support for the estimtated 40-year life of the 10 C 17s IAF wants, and then finally the price. Based on that, the US government will issue a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. There will be 3.8 per cent FMS administrative fee.

IAF had ordered 80 Mi 17 IV helicopters from Russia last year, and their first lot is also expected by year-end, possibly in November.

The Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, is keen for the modernization process to be over as soon as possible. IAF has been losing combat aircraft particularly due to the end of their Total Technical Life (TTL) over the last few years, and although the acquisition of SU 30 MKIs is helping make up, IAF needs to renew its inventory ASAP.

His views at the National Seminar on Aerospace Technologies (N-SAT) held by India Strategic in October 2009 should reflect the IAF thinking. He said:

"Aerospace operations have increasingly become the instrument of choice in conflict situations, as can be seen from the events of the past few years. They provide Reach, Speed of Response, Precision and a great deal of Flexibility options to our national leadership and it is therefore inevitable that there are ever-increasing expectations from aerospace power.

"I think you will all agree, that Military Aviation, more than any other activity, is highly dependent on technology. Superiority in the realm of aerospace is dictated by the employment of superior Technology coupled with Intelligent Tactics. There is simply no alternative to these two aspects.

I think you will all agree, that Military Aviation, more than any other activity, is highly dependent on technology. Superiority in the realm of aerospace is dictated by the employment of superior Technology coupled with Intelligent Tactics. There is simply no alternative to these two aspects.

There are though step-by-step plans to transform the IAF by 2022, by which time it should have some 45 combat squadrons of SU 30 MKIs, MRCAs, FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft), and LCAs (India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft).

Eventually, IAF could have some 300-plus SU 30 MKIs, an equal number of MRCAs – indigenously produced – and some 200 FGFAs besides 150 to 200 LCAs. IAF has already ordered two squadrons of LCAs with GE 404 engines, and five more squadrons will be acquired with uprated engines, either Eurojet 200 or GE 414. These two engines are in a competition now.

It may be noted that IAF’s MRCA tender is for 126 aircraft with an option for another 63. But in all likelihood, this figure should touch 300.

As for the transport aircraft, IAF’s IL 76 and An 32 are under upgradation, and although the two have completed 25 and 26 years respectively, they have given good backup to IAF’s combat edge by supporting and supplying men and materials. IAF is now looking at 10 or more C 17s, possibly more Lockheed Martin C130J Super Hercules, and even the Alenia Aernautica C 27J Spartan, for which an RFI has been issued. (The first of the six C 130Js is due for delivery early 2011).

India and Russia already have an agreement to jointly produce a medium Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA).

As for the FGFA, a formal agreement between New Delhi and Moscow is likely to be signed this year although cooperative measures have already been set in motion. IAF expects the two-seat version to be delivered by 2016 or 2017.

The Russian Air Force has already developed its single seat version for trials.

IAF is also looking for AWACs and mid-air refuelers, both of which use the old IL 76 airframes. The IL 76 is out or production and unavailable – China had bought 40 of its best available airframes – and IAF’s new AWACs should be on other airframes. The current AWACs on order are the Israeli Phalcons.

Source:

MRCA Trials Over IAF moves on to Helicopter Trials

 

[soaringphnx]

Super Hornet mods added to export list​

Boeing announced here yesterday a set of potential enhancements to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet that it will market to export prospects. They include an enclosed weapons pod that is intended to lower the aircraft’s radar cross section. The countries currently evaluating or expressing interest in the Super Hornet include Brazil, Denmark, India, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Qatar.

There are six elements to what Boeing calls the “Super Hornet International Road Map.” The first is already under development and was seen by AIN during a visit to St. Louis last month. This is the Next Generation cockpit, which brings to the F-18 the large (11- by 19-inch) one-piece, touchscreen display, seen previously only on the Lockheed Martin F-35. Such a display helps improve the fused presentation of the integrated sensor suite that is already a big Super Hornet feature. The new cockpit could be made available for deliveries in 2013, according to Shelley Lavender, Boeing’s vice-president Global Strike Systems.

The other enhancements would be available from 2015, she said. These include the enclosed weapons pod, which would be carried on the centerline station, and may possibly be partially faired into the fuselage. It is sized for four AIM-120 AMRAAMs, but can also take air-to-ground weapons. According to Mike Gibbons, the Boeing F/A-18 program manager, an element of stealth was already designed into the Super Hornet. “We inserted some offerings from our Joint Strike Fighter proposal, in terms of shaping and materials,” he said in St Louis last month. Stealth on the aircraft is complemented by the active electronic warfare system , he added.

Conformal fuel tanks can straddle the upper fuselage, and confer an additional 10 percent range, according to Lavender. An enhanced performance engine (EPE) version of the GE F414 would provide a 20-percent increase in thrust. India has requested this extra power. The final two enhancements on offer are an internal IRST (infrared search and track) system, carried in the nose, and a spherical missile and laser warning system, housed above and (presumably also) below the airplane.

Will these features be available for the Indian version or is it offered only for other future exports? If it is offered to India, were these features already available at the time of evaluation?