F-18L

[C130]

The F/A-18L version followed to coincide with the US Navy's F/A-18A as a land-based export alternative. This was essentially an F/A-18A lightened by approximately 2,500 to 3,000 pounds (1,130 to 1,360 kg); weight was reduced by removing the folding wing and associated actuators, by implementing a simpler landing gear (single wheel nose gear and cantilever oleo main gear), and change to a land-based tail-hook. The revised F/A-18L included wing fuel tanks and fuselage stations of the F/A-18A. Its weapons capacity would increase from 13,700 to 20,000 pounds (6,210 to 9,070 kg); largely due to the addition of a third underwing pylon and strengthened wingtips (11 stations in total vs 9 stations of the F/A-18A). Compared to the F-18L, the outboard weapons pylons are moved closer to the wingtip missile rails. Because of the strengthened non-folding wing, the wingtip missile rails were designed to carry either the AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash medium-range air-to-air missiles, in addition to the AIM-9 Sidewinder as found on the F/A-18A. The F/A-18L was strengthened for a 9 g design load factor compared to the F/A-18A's 7.5 g factor


now couldn't you do the same weight reduction to the F/A-18 E/F?? knocking off 2,500 to 3,000 pounds and making it faster, longer ranged and more maneuverable seems very attractive option to me. especially for India and Canada who would use it from the ground and not on a carrier.

 

[Viper0011.]

The F/A-18L version followed to coincide with the US Navy's F/A-18A as a land-based export alternative. This was essentially an F/A-18A lightened by approximately 2,500 to 3,000 pounds (1,130 to 1,360 kg); weight was reduced by removing the folding wing and associated actuators, by implementing a simpler landing gear (single wheel nose gear and cantilever oleo main gear), and change to a land-based tail-hook. The revised F/A-18L included wing fuel tanks and fuselage stations of the F/A-18A. Its weapons capacity would increase from 13,700 to 20,000 pounds (6,210 to 9,070 kg); largely due to the addition of a third underwing pylon and strengthened wingtips (11 stations in total vs 9 stations of the F/A-18A).

Especially for India and Canada who would use it from the ground and not on a carrier.

Dude, Indians are smarter than us. They won't give us fighter jet contracts as in their books, in the future we would have many disagreements and may be even conflicts. So this is a ghost chase in trying to ask India to buy US weapons they'll rely the most on, in a conflict.

@MastanKhan @araz @Oscar @niaz @blue marlin @Umair Nawaz @JonAsad : gentlemen - check out the above article and F-18L's specs. Check out the load-out at approx: 20 tons and yet, an agile fighter with extended range, top line electronics and weapons options.

I know this is expensive but we've been talking about the JH-7. I believe something like the F-18L's category is what could strike, defend itself as a fighter and use its much superior electronics to deal with many situations. This type of a plane can do both, strike and combat fight with SU-30, 35, Rafale and EFT, etc.

Any comments or suggestions?

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

I very much doubt if the Indians would go for any American fighters----. They never liked the idea of sanctions over their mainstay fighter aircraft----so they will go for the known and reliable seller.

They are looking for a loiter time of around 3 1/2 to 4 hours----basically long legs. I don't think that the F18L would fit in their planning.

 

[Viper0011.]

I very much doubt if the Indians would go for any American fighters----. They never liked the idea of sanctions over their mainstay fighter aircraft----so they will go for the known and reliable seller.

They are looking for a loiter time of around 3 1/2 to 4 hours----basically long legs. I don't think that the F18L would fit in their planning.

I agree. But check out the weight this puppy can carry, with advance electronics, rolling missile launchers and all. I think this may be the bird you are looking for, instead of the JH-7, it can strike and fight and requires no escorts. But yes, it is expensive!!!

 

[Kompromat]

It was offered to PAF

 

[MastanKhan]

I agree. But check out the weight this puppy can carry, with advance electronics, rolling missile launchers and all. I think this may be the bird you are looking for, instead of the JH-7, it can strike and fight and requires no escorts. But yes, it is expensive!!!

Hi.

It is a fine aircraft---but it cannot carry the Chinese YJ12 AShm---we will not be able to use any of our smart weapons and air to surface launched Ra'ad and coming Babur cruise missiles---plus all the anti ship missiles as well.

So---basically---F 18 will not work----the F 16 is fine-----.

 

[Viper0011.]

It was offered to PAF

I know. That's why I tagged folks with this. The PAF should buy this. It'll eliminate the need for any other heavies and should give the PAF a decent strike platform. Additionally, heavy discounts can be negotiated in terms of FMS.....LM wants to sell it so it gets a sizable order, it can work it magic through the lobby in providing US made weapon package to go with it...

 

[volatile]

PAK shouldnt put all eggs in one basket

 

[danger007]

Dude, Indians are smarter than us. They won't give us fighter jet contracts as in their books, in the future we would have many disagreements and may be even conflicts. So this is a ghost chase in trying to ask India to buy US weapons they'll rely the most on, in a conflict.

@MastanKhan @araz @Oscar @niaz @blue marlin @Umair Nawaz @JonAsad : gentlemen - check out the above article and F-18L's specs. Check out the load-out at approx: 20 tons and yet, an agile fighter with extended range, top line electronics and weapons options.

I know this is expensive but we've been talking about the JH-7. I believe something like the F-18L's category is what could strike, defend itself as a fighter and use its much superior electronics to deal with many situations. This type of a plane can do both, strike and combat fight with SU-30, 35, Rafale and EFT, etc.

Any comments or suggestions?

I know you are more pakistani than American, though a conflict??? @MilSpec @Abingdonboy

 

[Spectre]

I know. That's why I tagged folks with this. The PAF should buy this. It'll eliminate the need for any other heavies and should give the PAF a decent strike platform. Additionally, heavy discounts can be negotiated in terms of FMS.....LM wants to sell it so it gets a sizable order, it can work it magic through the lobby in providing US made weapon package to go with it...

Depends on whether Pakistan can afford extra platforms in numbers enough to make it worth for LM to push through the deal through congress. A squadron or three isn't going to cut it as it would have major ramification on US business with Indians too specifically in Defense arena.

Pakistan is really well placed with Chinese purchases/collaborations like J-17/J-31 which in addition to being sanction proof will also fulfill their defensive needs well enough considering the low threat level of full scale war due to deterrance.

Just my two cents

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Is that a non AESA Radar?

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

We should get few squardons of f18s, hope this time with 750 AIM 120D missile.
It will create panic on other side of border.

 

[Viper0011.]

I know you are more pakistani than American, though a conflict??? @MilSpec @Abingdonboy

The scenario is real, and its what the Defense Secretary Gates openly played out once and the entire Indian lobby kicked dust and screamed.
So instead of taking this thread in a direction that might get you in trouble, please stick to the topic, avoid getting personal (and Mil Spec can advise you on that too). This scenario has also been iterated by many Indians on here.

Its the same scenario that Donald Trump mentions. He is anti-H1b Visas as he knows there is abuse. He is also smart enough to know that the US is being taken advantage of by others, including India. He's the first person with balls who's come out for the US and has clearly said, if businesses need "hi tech workers", they'll have to pay more to get them. Essentially making the American labor a cheaper option. Which should've happened decades ago, but the same people who started outsourcing American jobs, were in the power so how do you expect them to leave hundreds of millions in profits, and help the Americans who don't result in any millions in profit.

So don't think no one's paying attention, there are people who are going, what the hell did we accomplish by outsourcing all of our job industry to India and whatever was remaining, we gave it to them here. And now Americans are without jobs and Indians are working. That's *** backwards.

India on the other hand just wants to milk the cow called the US. When the cow stops giving milk or questions it, India will be perfectly ok with "reducing bilateral relationship" to a point that it would become marginal. As the US help would have kicked off the Indian economy and they wouldn't need us the US anymore.

Because of their own long term strategy about all this, they won't buy a fly from us if it formed the most critical defensive or offensive option, let alone a plane that may not work or have to be grounded without parts due to sanctions!!

 

[danger007]

The scenario is real, and its what the Defense Secretary Gates openly played out once and the entire Indian lobby kicked dust and screamed.
So instead of taking this thread in a direction that might get you in trouble, please stick to the topic, avoid getting personal (and Mil Spec can advise you on that too). This scenario has also been iterated by many Indians on here.

Its the same scenario that Donald Trump mentions. He is anti-H1b Visas as he knows there is abuse. He is also smart enough to know that the US is being taken advantage of by others, including India. He's the first person with balls who's come out for the US and has clearly said, if businesses need "hi tech workers", they'll have to pay more to get them. Essentially making the American labor a cheaper option. Which should've happened decades ago, but the same people who started outsourcing American jobs, were in the power so how do you expect them to leave hundreds of millions in profits, and help the Americans who don't result in any millions in profit.

So don't think no one's paying attention, there are people who are going, what the hell did we accomplish by outsourcing all of our job industry to India and whatever was remaining, we gave it to them here. And now Americans are without jobs and Indians are working. That's *** backwards.

India on the other hand just wants to milk the cow called the US. When the cow stops giving milk or questions it, India will be perfectly ok with "reducing bilateral relationship" to a point that it would become marginal. As the US help would have kicked off the Indian economy and they wouldn't need us the US anymore.

Because of their own long term strategy about all this, they won't buy a fly from us if it formed the most critical defensive or offensive option, let alone a plane that may not work or have to be grounded without parts due to sanctions!!

you are proving your self... thank you... lol

 

[Viper0011.]

you are proving your self... thank you... lol

And as always 0 facts or sense was put into your response. Do you guys have smart people who can debate with facts instead of just stupid writing? Try to bring a few on here as I'd love to debate with them.

Its such a waste of time when people like you try to get into a discussion that's way over their head. At the end, they make entire India look bad. How about staying away from these discussions and not responding to my posts?? That way, this exercise of wasting time isn't necessary and writing these silly one liner posts, which clearly show you have NOTHING intelligent to counter or come back with!!