India selects EF, Rafale for MMRCA shortlist

[IND151]

is there double seated version of EFT?

 

[Abingdonboy]

is there double seated version of EFT?

Yes, there is:

 

[RPK]

U.K. Supports Eurofighter For Indian MMRCA

Jul 11, 2011

U.K. Supports Eurofighter For Indian MMRCA | AVIATION WEEK




By Jay Menon

NEW DELHI — Britain has outlined its strong support for the Eurofighter Typhoon’s bid for the Indian air force’s $11 billion Medium-Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, as the U.K. seeks to advance its defense industrial cooperation with the country.

“The Eurofighter Typhoon not only provides India with cutting-edge operational capability, but also unmatched potential for an enduring strategic partnership in developing future defense technology,” said U.K. Defense Secretary Liam Fox after a meeting with Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony in New Delhi July 8.

According to a British High Commission statement, Fox’s visit to India underlines the commitment at the highest levels of the British and Indian defense establishments to ensure that defense cooperation is a fundamental pillar of the enhanced partnership between the U.K. and India as set out by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last July.

“In today’s world of multi-layered security and economic interdependence, the U.K. and India are looking for relationships that are built on partnership and respect, not one-off transactions,” Fox says.

The Tyhpoon is pitted against French company Dassault Aviation’s Rafale for the MMRCA program. Indian authorities are set to open final bids for the 126-aircraft order.

The Eurofighter consortium comprises Italy’s Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems of the U.K., EADS CASA and EADS Germany. Recently, France and Germany also made last-ditch efforts to boost their companies’ chances to win the fighter program.

French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet had pitched the Rafale during his visit to New Delhi in May, and the Eurofighter Typhoon topped the agenda during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s discussions with Prime Minister Singh on May 31. German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizere also met Antony on May 31.

EADS has even invited India to become a partner for the Typhoon program if the aircraft wins the contract. Eurofighter’s offer to establish a production line in India could give it an edge.

The Rafale has the advantage of being logistically and operationally similar to the Mirage 2000. The Indian air force has similar fighters, and the Rafale’s inclusion would require fewer changes in existing infrastructure.

 

[SpArK]

IAF to brief Lockheed Martin
​

NEW DELHI (PTI): Lockheed Martin, one of the two US companies which lost out in the bid for the 126 combat aircraft deal, is expected to be conveyed the reasons for it by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF is expected to brief Lockheed Martin Tuesday in detail about the reasons of their exclusion for which the request is understood to have been made by the US government, defence sources told PTI here.

The two aircraft were offered to the IAF through the Foreign Military Sales route in which the supplier of military hardware is the US government itself.

In April, India had shortlisted Dassault and Eurofighter for 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) deal and excluded the two American companies along with Russian MiG Corporation and Swedish Saab Gripen.

After receiving communication in this regard, the US had said it was "deeply disappointed" over the rejection and Boeing had also sought a debrief from the IAF.

The IAF had said it had tested the six participating aircraft extensively on 643 parameters and all of them were told about their performance in the field trials as the process moved forward.

IAF to brief Lockheed Martin - Brahmand.com

 

[SpArK]

Hornet Buffs Up
​

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was not supposed to live this long. But with the latest slippages in the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program and aging fighter forces worldwide, Boeing talks about stretching production to 1,000 aircraft and keeping the line open to the end of the decade, despite the recent loss in India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition. The program is close to 700 aircraft, including 41 additional U.S. Navy aircraft announced this year to mitigate JSF delays.

Active campaigns include Brazil and Denmark. A Middle Eastern customer—possibly Kuwait—has expressed interest. The Super Hornet is Boeing’s candidate for the next Japanese fighter order, competing with the Eurofighter Typhoon and JSF. The idea of another Super Hornet buy is being mooted in Australia, which could face a front-line fighter gap if the JSF slips further. Boeing says a number of JSF partners have asked for information on the Super Hornet.

Boeing’s strategy is not to initiate comparisons with JSF, although Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick called Lockheed Martin on the mat in May for what he termed “fundamentally untrue” statements about the Super Hornet’s price. However, Boeing never talks about its product without pointing out that it offers “date and cost-certain” capabilities and that all Super Hornets and Growlers have been delivered on cost, and on or ahead of schedule. Recently, Chadwick suggested that the JSF “might become a niche fighter” on the international market because of its cost.

More details have emerged about the “international roadmap” features that have been disclosed piece-by-piece over the past year. The most visible are the conformal fuel tanks (CFT) above the body and the low-radar-cross-section (RCS) centerline weapons pod. Those are to be wind tunnel-tested this year, with a decision on a flight-test program to follow.


The CFTs carry 3,200 lb. of fuel. Boeing says they have no net drag at cruising speed, because they reduce trim drag enough to offset their added frontal area. As a result, a configuration with CFTs and a centerline tank delivers as much range as a three-tank configuration today. The weapon pod carries four AIM-120 missiles, a 2,000-lb. bomb or two 500-lb.-class weapons.

Transonic acceleration and specific excess power, particularly when temperatures at altitude are high, were criticized on the Super Hornet when it entered service. A roadmap option is an enhanced-performance engine (EPE) variant of the General Electric F414, offering up to a 20% thrust boost. That would take the EPE to 26,500 lb. of thrust, giving it the best thrust/weight ratio of any fighter engine—almost 11:1. It has a new core, based on demonstrations conducted with U.S. government funds in 2004 and 2006, and a redesigned fan and compressor. A third test engine was run in 2010.


GE says that it has developed 17 new or derivative engines successfully from the same technology readiness level. Unfortunately, India did not accept that argument.

Also on the roadmap menu is a spherical-coverage missile-approach warning system and an infrared search-and-track (IRST) system in a chin pod. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are working on a repackaged, updated version of the AAS-42 IRST (originally developed in the 1980s for the Grumman F-14D) for the Navy’s Hornet fleet, carried in a modified fuel tank. Boeing is open to other options for the international aircraft. (Japan, for instance, has its own domestic IRST technology on the F-15J Kai upgrade.)

Inside the cockpit, a new option is a big-screen display comprising an 11 X 19-in. panel, which could be flight-tested next year. Based on commercial technology, the panel is a hedge against obsolescence and a potential cost-saver as well as offering options for new display formats. A low-profile head-up display using digital LCD projection eliminates the big optical box that previously ruled out a panoramic display.

Boeing has been taking a working model of the big-screen cockpit to trade shows and bases worldwide, both to promote it and to get pilot reactions to conceptual display formats.

Although Boeing is careful to keep the “international” label attached to the new options, they are all designed for retrofit to Block 2 aircraft, all but 24 of which belong to the U.S. Navy. And while the modified aircraft will not directly match the F-35C in signatures, it closes the gap in RCS and range (with the CFTs), is lighter and more powerful, and current estimates say it will be less expensive to buy and operate.


Hornet Buffs Up | AVIATION WEEK

 

[SpArK]

Brazilian jet fighter deal more distant​

BRASILIA, Brazil, July 12 (UPI) -- Rival defense manufacturers spent vast sums trying to secure it but a multibillion-dollar Brazilian contract for up to 100 fighter jets is unlikely to come up for government review until next year, with little indication of an early deal that suits priorities set by President Dilma Rousseff.

Each of the key manufacturers in the race -- Boeing Co., France's Dassault and Sweden's Saab -- has had its hopes raised in the last two years.

The lobbying for the contract has involved government and state leaders at the highest levels, with even the king of Sweden at one point was considered as an intermediary.

The deal for an initial 30 of the projected 100 jets for the Brazilian air force inventory is worth more than $4 billion but no confirmed figures have emerged from Brasilia.

Aside from the price and relative efficiency of the competing aircraft, at issue is Brazil's insistence on extensive transfer of technology as part of its overall strategy to start manufacturing a jet fighter of its own.

That's a tough call for the bidders, as none of them find the prospect of the customer turning into an arch competitor in a lucrative area of defense industry, believed to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars in future sales. Air forces worldwide are considering phasing out jet fighters bought from the 1950s onward.

Brazil has emerged as a major competitor for European and North American manufacturers of executive jets and smaller passenger aircraft, mainly the result of an extensive research and development program pursued without significant foreign help.

In 2009 France appeared to be the contender most likely to win the contract with Dassault's Rafale jet fighter, an aircraft mainly deployed in France but that prospect vanished when former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva handed over power to Rousseff this year.

U.S. President Barack Obama's visit in March raised hopes that Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet might emerge as the new favorite but Rousseff's administration cited budgetary constraints and issued the first of several postponements of a decision on the jet deal.

Saab's modified and modernized Gripen NG -- for New Generation -- is a serious contender and uses the General Electric F414G engine, developed from the F/A-18E/F used on the Super Hornet's engine.

So far, the French have offered the most generous technology transfer terms, the Swedes appear constrained somewhat by borrowed components and also wary of giving away precious information they see vital to maintaining a foothold in a competitive jet fighter market.

The Russians and the Chinese have been out of the race but industry analysts said that shouldn't be a cause for complacency of the competing defense industries of those two countries.

Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told reporters during a visit to France the government won't review the jet fighter deal until next year.

He cited the government's preoccupation with domestic concerns as the reason for the postponement.

However, he said, "The principal necessity is technology transfer."



Read more: Brazilian jet fighter deal more distant - UPI.com

 

[Vibs]

Brazilian jet fighter deal more distant​

However, he said, "The principal necessity is technology transfer."

Guess that rules out Boeing..again!!

 

[SpArK]

Guess that rules out Boeing..again!!

Have a feeling they might choose Gripen or maybe Rafale , if they decrease the price.

 

[rockstarIN]

IAF to brief Lockheed Martin
​

After receiving communication in this regard, the US had said it was "deeply disappointed" over the rejection and Boeing had also sought a debrief from the IAF.

The IAF had said it had tested the six participating aircraft extensively on 643 parameters and all of them were told about their performance in the field trials as the process moved forward.

IAF to brief Lockheed Martin - Brahmand.com

We feel the disappointment here in PDF very much

 

[SpArK]

Eurofighter Typhoon to display agile multi-role capability at Royal International Air Tattoo
​

July 11, 2011 The Eurofighter Typhoon will be making a rare demonstration of its unrivalied agility and engine power with a full weapon load air display at this years Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) from the 15th to 17th July at RAF Fairford.

BAE Systems Chief Test Pilot for Combat Air, Mark Bowman, will fly a Warton based development aircraft (IPA 5) on each day of the show and a full scale replica of the aircraft, including full weapon display, will be available for general public access. In addition, the RAF will have a Typhoon on display in the static aircraft park.

IPA 5 will fly in a swing-role configuration, including four Paveway II laser guided bombs, two 1000 ltr fuel tanks, four AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and two ASRAAMs (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and will highlight to the trade and public visitors that the Typhoon is agile regardless of weapon load, pulling up to an impressive 5.5g and in excess of 20 degrees angle of attack.

Mark said: “I am looking forward enormously to displaying at RIAT this year. The aim is simply to demonstrate the Typhoon's power, performance and presence in a truly representative combat load. Different than most other 'clean aircraft' displays, I hope the observer will get a real sense of why Typhoon is not only at the forefront of world combat aviation, but also acknowledge the role of European technology, engineering and ingenuity in producing this 'awesome' aircraft”.

Most air displays are achieved by reducing fuel and weapon loads, however with this display, IPA 5 demonstrates significant weapon carriage and manoeuvrability whilst still able to demonstrate carefree handling for the pilot.

This will be the biggest ever Royal Tattoo for Typhoon and will highlight how Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced, new generation multi-role combat jet. Eurofighter will also be sponsoring the crew’s enclosure at the show.

defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[Vibs]

Eurofighter Typhoon to display agile multi-role capability at Royal International Air Tattoo
​

July 11, 2011 The Eurofighter Typhoon will be making a rare demonstration of its unrivalied agility and engine power with a full weapon load air display at this years Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) from the 15th to 17th July at RAF Fairford.

BAE Systems Chief Test Pilot for Combat Air, Mark Bowman, will fly a Warton based development aircraft (IPA 5) on each day of the show and a full scale replica of the aircraft, including full weapon display, will be available for general public access. In addition, the RAF will have a Typhoon on display in the static aircraft park.

IPA 5 will fly in a swing-role configuration, including four Paveway II laser guided bombs, two 1000 ltr fuel tanks, four AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and two ASRAAMs (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and will highlight to the trade and public visitors that the Typhoon is agile regardless of weapon load, pulling up to an impressive 5.5g and in excess of 20 degrees angle of attack.

Mark said: “I am looking forward enormously to displaying at RIAT this year. The aim is simply to demonstrate the Typhoon's power, performance and presence in a truly representative combat load. Different than most other 'clean aircraft' displays, I hope the observer will get a real sense of why Typhoon is not only at the forefront of world combat aviation, but also acknowledge the role of European technology, engineering and ingenuity in producing this 'awesome' aircraft”.

Most air displays are achieved by reducing fuel and weapon loads, however with this display, IPA 5 demonstrates significant weapon carriage and manoeuvrability whilst still able to demonstrate carefree handling for the pilot.

This will be the biggest ever Royal Tattoo for Typhoon and will highlight how Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced, new generation multi-role combat jet. Eurofighter will also be sponsoring the crew’s enclosure at the show.

defence.professionals | defpro.com

Typhoon and Rafael have been making quite a few promotions. Including the live combat display over Libya. Wonder when Gripen will do the same? Does anyone have a functional Gripen Squadron yet?

 

[SpArK]

 

[Transformers]

if eft goes multi role then i m with this??
btw,how much nukes it can carry?

 

[IND151]

^^ lol spark you are supporting euro fighter ?

on IDF you support rafale.

 

[sancho]

Although Boeing is careful to keep the “international” label attached to the new options, they are all designed for retrofit to Block 2 aircraft, all but 24 of which belong to the U.S. Navy. And while the modified aircraft will not directly match the F-35C in signatures, it closes the gap in RCS and range (with the CFTs), is lighter and more powerful, and current estimates say it will be less expensive to buy and operate.

That doesn't make much sense to me, because the CFTs will replace only 2 x external fuel tanks, but the F18SH uses 3 for long range missions and by adding a normal centerline fuel tank, the RCS advantage is gone. That is even the biggest blinder imo, because it will have an advantage only at short to medium ranges with CAS loads (4 x 500lb LGBs), besides the fact that it still carries the SR missiles externally on the wingtips, which most of the reports keeps ignoring. Compared to the F35C, this F18SH upgrade is not even close, because the F35 carries all weapons and fuel internally + the stealth shapings, which give it a clear advantage in RCS, range, payload...
There is a reason why the USN will not funding these upgrades and simply waits if an export customer does it. Then they will add it as well, but no matter what, the F18SH will remain in secondary roles only.
Personally, I even think that the CFTs will mainly benefit the F18SH in these secondary roles, EW and tanker! The Growler for example can carry only 2 x external fuel tanks when it uses the 3 x jammers. So adding CFTs will dramatically increase it's range and endurance in the EW role, or could make free more hardpoints for HARM missiles (so far only 2 can be carried):

Similarly, the ammount of fuel it could carry in the tanker role, would be dramatically increased, which is important in areas where no bigger mid air refuelling tankers are available: