Obama won! Thank god as there would be lesser wars, lesser US pressure and more dialog worldwide. It would seemed the Democrats are more liberal when dealing with world issues rather than the Republicans. Nick Romney wanted more F22 and other battle machines which means more wars as well as more people dying. He though lost has won about half of the popular votes of the conservative Americans. That goes to show that many of them namely the American whites somehow still believes in white supremacy that leads to not only profiling of individuals but also of nations and acts that came after it.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Pakistan will have stealth fighters....the inevitable!
Pakistan's relationship is a one that is very close to China. It would seemed both are producing most military jets together. Pakistanis type of aircrafts is slowly moving towards types of China. There is no doubt J20 and J21, once ready will soon be in Pakistan's inventory.
Pakistan will feel the need to counter Indians T50 once they are brought into their airforce. Pakistani acquisition will definitely give USA a big headache, one, when competing with technology of China stealth, two, its marketability and three, her alignment to China as her ally.
Affordability would not be an issue for Pakistan, not that they can afford it, rather they will regard it as national interest an still heavily throw their money away to own them, like they did in 1996 when they spent billions of money they did not have to aquire and test their nuclear weapons, while her people lack food, clothes, proper home and even education.This proves that prospect of war will make any governmenst do stupid things. USA for one who is always looking for war also spent beyond their means, especially under both bush's administration, bankrupting themselves more than the Russian did during the Cold War. Stupid is what stupid does!
Pakistan will feel the need to counter Indians T50 once they are brought into their airforce. Pakistani acquisition will definitely give USA a big headache, one, when competing with technology of China stealth, two, its marketability and three, her alignment to China as her ally.
Affordability would not be an issue for Pakistan, not that they can afford it, rather they will regard it as national interest an still heavily throw their money away to own them, like they did in 1996 when they spent billions of money they did not have to aquire and test their nuclear weapons, while her people lack food, clothes, proper home and even education.This proves that prospect of war will make any governmenst do stupid things. USA for one who is always looking for war also spent beyond their means, especially under both bush's administration, bankrupting themselves more than the Russian did during the Cold War. Stupid is what stupid does!
Sunday, 28 October 2012
F 35 looking good now
F 35 has always look stylishly futuristic.Weapons kept in internal bay will always makes it look even cooler. It is sure one of the author favourite design.
The Lightning carries with it the most advance system in the world. It's sensors, displays, arms, fly by wire and more edges the tip of every advance flight technology you heard of.
It greatest gift by its designers have given it is its stealth design. It also maybe it's curse. We shall see.
The other foreseeable flaw is it is of one engine. This will also reduce its thrust to weight ratio significantly. Thus it may limit the amount of extra pod, armament and refuelling tank that it may carry. More importantly it will surely effect the time it takes to distant itself from incoming missiles and also reduce it chances when dogfight scenarios arise. Of course there future plans to produce a more powerful engine. So far the plan have been shelved until further notice.
All in all there is a clear path of the aircraft has been set. Of course along the way minor detours will have very little effect of derailing the programme, only slowing it down to the extent of spiralling up the cost. Mind you the venture is to big to let it fail. Anyhow, it is the last big recalcitrant project of the west before China overtakes them.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Rafale should be Malaysia's choice
It is only after Malaysias next general election that the decision and aquisition of type of MRCA shall be made. Super Hornets, Typhoon and Rafales are the final contenders after Gripen and SU 30 were denied to proceed to the next level on technical grounds, or so it is said.
It is said the Air Force favours Super Hornets for its friendly usage while the politicians prefers the Typhoon for the lobbying fee involved. So no one is for Rafale, so Dassault better buck up fast to win this race.
It is a wonder why the airforce is so keen on the Hornets, it is good and all but hello? No Source Codes.
In a democratic world, politician will do their best to make the most money to finance their election needs, be it through lobbying fees like the Americans or commission like many countries in Asia. Funny how Asian countries are accused of corrupt when they keep to the same schemes of the west.
Rafale seem to be the safe bet here, it's performance is more than sufficient, have complete omnirole capabilities, enough to win Indians vote of confidence, the biggest multirole acquisitions of the century yet. The Swiss too rate it the highest among Typhoon and Gripen. There is no issue of source code nor unreasonable sanctions when French are involved.
The forseeable threat if the west had their say in this, and more often they do, is China. Malaysia may need a squadron of fighters based in Labuan to stragetically defend her interest in South China Sea. Rafales have good sensors as well as weaponaries to defend the disputed interest. To add to that the French antiship missles Exocets are supersonic when Harpoon of the Hornets are not. Typhoon has not got any anti ship missiles yet in play.
Malaysia should acquire 12 to 18 new units of Rafales with AESA, while at the same time in hope that French will hand down the balance of 6 to 12 units of used Rafales with passive radar (which is just as good and create good variances) to make it 24 units altogether and base them in Labuan. Half of them may be stationed at Kuantan airbase if the need arise.
18 SU 30s in Gong Kedak may backed up the Labuans squadron. If Russian offer is still on then the retired Migs 29 can be exchanged for 6 more Sukhois. Malaysia would then have 24 Sukhoi 30s.
Malaysia may then acquire at least four used F18 D from maybe Kuwait (who is coincidently seriously looking at Rafales too) or other operators to make it a complete but basic squadron based in Butterworth base for air and sea policing purpose in the Straits of Malacca.
By this way Malaysia will operate not more than three types of multirole fighter of 60 units, fullfilling the wish list of required number of the airforce.
Hawks 108 and 208 can be sold off if it is found to be superfluous or even kept as reserve if the budget allows it to.
All in all it depends of the country's sufficiency of allocation for it, which seem to be of no existence at the moment. However looking at the instability that might arise specially in the South China Sea, her government have no choice but to look for it or create it from somewhere, of which she can easily do given her brilliance in international deals and trades.
It is said the Air Force favours Super Hornets for its friendly usage while the politicians prefers the Typhoon for the lobbying fee involved. So no one is for Rafale, so Dassault better buck up fast to win this race.
It is a wonder why the airforce is so keen on the Hornets, it is good and all but hello? No Source Codes.
In a democratic world, politician will do their best to make the most money to finance their election needs, be it through lobbying fees like the Americans or commission like many countries in Asia. Funny how Asian countries are accused of corrupt when they keep to the same schemes of the west.
Rafale seem to be the safe bet here, it's performance is more than sufficient, have complete omnirole capabilities, enough to win Indians vote of confidence, the biggest multirole acquisitions of the century yet. The Swiss too rate it the highest among Typhoon and Gripen. There is no issue of source code nor unreasonable sanctions when French are involved.
The forseeable threat if the west had their say in this, and more often they do, is China. Malaysia may need a squadron of fighters based in Labuan to stragetically defend her interest in South China Sea. Rafales have good sensors as well as weaponaries to defend the disputed interest. To add to that the French antiship missles Exocets are supersonic when Harpoon of the Hornets are not. Typhoon has not got any anti ship missiles yet in play.
Malaysia should acquire 12 to 18 new units of Rafales with AESA, while at the same time in hope that French will hand down the balance of 6 to 12 units of used Rafales with passive radar (which is just as good and create good variances) to make it 24 units altogether and base them in Labuan. Half of them may be stationed at Kuantan airbase if the need arise.
18 SU 30s in Gong Kedak may backed up the Labuans squadron. If Russian offer is still on then the retired Migs 29 can be exchanged for 6 more Sukhois. Malaysia would then have 24 Sukhoi 30s.
Malaysia may then acquire at least four used F18 D from maybe Kuwait (who is coincidently seriously looking at Rafales too) or other operators to make it a complete but basic squadron based in Butterworth base for air and sea policing purpose in the Straits of Malacca.
By this way Malaysia will operate not more than three types of multirole fighter of 60 units, fullfilling the wish list of required number of the airforce.
Hawks 108 and 208 can be sold off if it is found to be superfluous or even kept as reserve if the budget allows it to.
All in all it depends of the country's sufficiency of allocation for it, which seem to be of no existence at the moment. However looking at the instability that might arise specially in the South China Sea, her government have no choice but to look for it or create it from somewhere, of which she can easily do given her brilliance in international deals and trades.
Friday, 5 October 2012
J 21 will be better than F 35
The battle for the air in the 80s belong to F 16 and Mig 29. Both had their advantages and disadvantages. F 16 may have better BVR capability but in close fights Mig 29 would have prevailed. Even the one engine Falcon would surprisingly run dry of fuel from using its after burner in dogfights earlier than the fuel thirsty two engines Fulcrum.
However F16 have won big time in its marketability battle where it's progress from a mere fighter role to of a multirole help to sustain its sales. The said Mig did not achieved the same success due its slow development in these areas. Conformal fuel tanks (that could free up underwings spaces to carry more missiles and increase range) that would have help the Mig to carry more roles was never planned nor designed thus ended the its future progress. Malaysia for one refused to upgrade her Migs because even if she did they would not be even close to par with the capability of 4th generation modern fighters of today. Further types of Mig 29 even the superflous M type failed sell well due to SU 27 and 30 capabilities that excessively overshadow it.
The same battle for medium range fifth generation fighter in these two coming decades might be of F 35 and J 21. The former is of one engine and the second is of two engines, similar to the said Falcon and Fulcrum. Both will soon be designed to of the multiroles kind. Question is how far is their range , what is the numbers of weapon they carry, and how good are sensors and weaponry system. That will determine the success of sales these two aircrafts. Russia, Korea and Japan too might come up with medium size fighters, most likely of two engines based. It's going to be very interesting to come see what the future holds.
China is an up and coming player in stealth design and have build two types in very short years, compare none of to Japan and Korea as well as even European. United States took more two decades to build two, the F22 and F 35, add another extra decade or two if we take into account the F117. Could it be the case they can also design advance set of avionics in a short time of frame. Weapons too?
I believe the Chinese can do so all of the above at a faster and cheaper rate. The Chinese have proven they can do so in so many other areas of industries. They are not like America, Japan, Korea and even Europe that get bog down by unnecessary democratic and capitalist process as well as costs. Russia, because of her immature democracy may like China may too come up with a medium size stealth fighter if she had the money to do so.
Countries looking for a cheaper F 35 will surely buy into J 21, especially when Japans and Koreas stealth fail to make it to their first flight or they are too expensive enough for major acquirement by other states while Europe entrapped with their fourth generation fighter programme of Typhoon, Gripen, and Rafale have no fifth generation fighter to speak of. If BAE merger with the rest of EADS comes through a fifth generation fighter is highly likely to come from them, hopefully maybe later than sooner. However America whose Boeing may stand to lose their competitive edge may "influence" the Brits to back off from the deal. So much for the infamous western laud of freemarket.
However F16 have won big time in its marketability battle where it's progress from a mere fighter role to of a multirole help to sustain its sales. The said Mig did not achieved the same success due its slow development in these areas. Conformal fuel tanks (that could free up underwings spaces to carry more missiles and increase range) that would have help the Mig to carry more roles was never planned nor designed thus ended the its future progress. Malaysia for one refused to upgrade her Migs because even if she did they would not be even close to par with the capability of 4th generation modern fighters of today. Further types of Mig 29 even the superflous M type failed sell well due to SU 27 and 30 capabilities that excessively overshadow it.
The same battle for medium range fifth generation fighter in these two coming decades might be of F 35 and J 21. The former is of one engine and the second is of two engines, similar to the said Falcon and Fulcrum. Both will soon be designed to of the multiroles kind. Question is how far is their range , what is the numbers of weapon they carry, and how good are sensors and weaponry system. That will determine the success of sales these two aircrafts. Russia, Korea and Japan too might come up with medium size fighters, most likely of two engines based. It's going to be very interesting to come see what the future holds.
China is an up and coming player in stealth design and have build two types in very short years, compare none of to Japan and Korea as well as even European. United States took more two decades to build two, the F22 and F 35, add another extra decade or two if we take into account the F117. Could it be the case they can also design advance set of avionics in a short time of frame. Weapons too?
I believe the Chinese can do so all of the above at a faster and cheaper rate. The Chinese have proven they can do so in so many other areas of industries. They are not like America, Japan, Korea and even Europe that get bog down by unnecessary democratic and capitalist process as well as costs. Russia, because of her immature democracy may like China may too come up with a medium size stealth fighter if she had the money to do so.
Countries looking for a cheaper F 35 will surely buy into J 21, especially when Japans and Koreas stealth fail to make it to their first flight or they are too expensive enough for major acquirement by other states while Europe entrapped with their fourth generation fighter programme of Typhoon, Gripen, and Rafale have no fifth generation fighter to speak of. If BAE merger with the rest of EADS comes through a fifth generation fighter is highly likely to come from them, hopefully maybe later than sooner. However America whose Boeing may stand to lose their competitive edge may "influence" the Brits to back off from the deal. So much for the infamous western laud of freemarket.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
The need for an alternative AEW
There is a need for an alternative AEW than what is available in the market. Reason being the many types that carry dome shape radar that are in existence are either of American/Israelis origin making it difficult for neutral countries to acquire them without restriction. The advantages of dome shaped radar is that it can track 360 degrees of angle no matter the direction of the aircraft that carries it flies.
The problem with bars shaped radar e.erieye is that it the aircraft that flies it have to fly in a zig zag path to acquire 360 view. Now this is such a big hassle especially when escorting fighters accompanying it has to fly the same way thus wasting valuable time and fuel.
Countries that are in need of dome shape radar based AEW should combine together and come up with one of their own. The countries that have bought erieye can take the lead in this endeavour. The combined sales to these countries may create an economic scale of their own, a big enough market to produce them at an affordable price, and more importantly give them the freedom of flying in any direction without having the capability of 360 degrees of view interrupted.
The problem with bars shaped radar e.erieye is that it the aircraft that flies it have to fly in a zig zag path to acquire 360 view. Now this is such a big hassle especially when escorting fighters accompanying it has to fly the same way thus wasting valuable time and fuel.
Countries that are in need of dome shape radar based AEW should combine together and come up with one of their own. The countries that have bought erieye can take the lead in this endeavour. The combined sales to these countries may create an economic scale of their own, a big enough market to produce them at an affordable price, and more importantly give them the freedom of flying in any direction without having the capability of 360 degrees of view interrupted.
Friday, 6 July 2012
Eurofighter v Rafale...pointless!!!
The fight between Rafale and Eurofighte was kicked off when the French walk out of the European consortium because the latter did not agree to the former concept. The French wanted a midsize multirole while the Europeans sticked to a heavy air superiority fighter.
The European consortium apart of selling to themselves manage to sell a considerable numbers of units to other countries. They all at some point or another found Typhoon was too expensive to operate and was a great waste especially because it had very limited capabilities. And their regret crept in without any way out at hand.
The French concept which in the begining found itself a tough sell proved itself right in everyway when they performed outstandindly in the Afghanistan and libya conflict and ultimately found its way through the heart of its first customer, India. The likelihood of other foreign sales might follow seemed to have brighten up while the European consortium's Typoon have faded to dim.
The European consortium have got it wrong bigtime by not following the French set standard and now is paing for it dearly.
Of course if the Europeans would have agreed to the French concept and Dassault was part of the consortium, then it is French and the rest of the rouge world would have lost out in the end because the condition of sales would still be determined by US.
In 1998 the British, heavily influence by US foreign policies, placed an arms blockade on India depriving her of spares for her Hawks. The French did nothing of that sort, supplied the Indians parts to fly their Mirages.
Again, we see that the Saudis Typhoons could not be equipped with Lightning pod because US opposed to its sales. The Saudis Aiforce ended up using Damocles for their Eurofoghters, which the French happily provided. I wonder who had to pay for the extra cost to make them compatibles to each other? US then back stabbed the British and her European allies by selling to this very frustrated Arab airforce more F 15 wipping out any chances of further Typhoon sales there.
If the French was in the consortium they would be eating themselves alive for allowing this to happen and luckily they are not.
The leaked Swiss report have devalued Eurofighters worth and made the Rafale's bullish.
The Rafale is a complete multirole platform able to perform air to air , air to surface, land and sea role. It's size too is suitable for land and carrier based strike.
It seemed like the French has got everything right. That is why India made her choice.
Only it's future is seemed as unpredictable. The Rafale needs bigger air intake for better thrust, helmet mounted sight and stealth capability to survive future markets.
It is unsure they have the funds to do so, but future sales might pay for it.
Typhoon progress is stalled by its partners that can not unitely decide what to do with next. To make it worse each country to do not exactly know what they want with the fighter. They should have allowed the consortium to be led by the British and turn the Eurofighter into a multirole. Each state will then buy the same multirole eurofighter according to their needs and affordibility.
Nevertheless the international politics took precedent over logical rationalization and doomed the eurofighter future.
Both Typhoon and Rafael are outdated in stealth design unless they find a solution to plasma stealth technology. This makes F22 and F35 ahead in their designs.
Stealth aside, on an overall basis a Rafale but not Typhoon is any day better than the two American types.
However there is much prospect left for improvement of these American fighters. Come a time even the Rafale will be left behind, especially with the coming of Russian T 50 and Chinese J 20.
French and European consortium needs to learn from past lesson and combine their resources to produce the next future stealth multirole fighter. They must elect a leader with a good concept and all the countries belonging to the consortium shall buy the same type of aircraft to create an abled economic scale to compete at an international level.
The European consortium apart of selling to themselves manage to sell a considerable numbers of units to other countries. They all at some point or another found Typhoon was too expensive to operate and was a great waste especially because it had very limited capabilities. And their regret crept in without any way out at hand.
The French concept which in the begining found itself a tough sell proved itself right in everyway when they performed outstandindly in the Afghanistan and libya conflict and ultimately found its way through the heart of its first customer, India. The likelihood of other foreign sales might follow seemed to have brighten up while the European consortium's Typoon have faded to dim.
The European consortium have got it wrong bigtime by not following the French set standard and now is paing for it dearly.
Of course if the Europeans would have agreed to the French concept and Dassault was part of the consortium, then it is French and the rest of the rouge world would have lost out in the end because the condition of sales would still be determined by US.
In 1998 the British, heavily influence by US foreign policies, placed an arms blockade on India depriving her of spares for her Hawks. The French did nothing of that sort, supplied the Indians parts to fly their Mirages.
Again, we see that the Saudis Typhoons could not be equipped with Lightning pod because US opposed to its sales. The Saudis Aiforce ended up using Damocles for their Eurofoghters, which the French happily provided. I wonder who had to pay for the extra cost to make them compatibles to each other? US then back stabbed the British and her European allies by selling to this very frustrated Arab airforce more F 15 wipping out any chances of further Typhoon sales there.
If the French was in the consortium they would be eating themselves alive for allowing this to happen and luckily they are not.
The leaked Swiss report have devalued Eurofighters worth and made the Rafale's bullish.
The Rafale is a complete multirole platform able to perform air to air , air to surface, land and sea role. It's size too is suitable for land and carrier based strike.
It seemed like the French has got everything right. That is why India made her choice.
Only it's future is seemed as unpredictable. The Rafale needs bigger air intake for better thrust, helmet mounted sight and stealth capability to survive future markets.
It is unsure they have the funds to do so, but future sales might pay for it.
Typhoon progress is stalled by its partners that can not unitely decide what to do with next. To make it worse each country to do not exactly know what they want with the fighter. They should have allowed the consortium to be led by the British and turn the Eurofighter into a multirole. Each state will then buy the same multirole eurofighter according to their needs and affordibility.
Nevertheless the international politics took precedent over logical rationalization and doomed the eurofighter future.
Both Typhoon and Rafael are outdated in stealth design unless they find a solution to plasma stealth technology. This makes F22 and F35 ahead in their designs.
Stealth aside, on an overall basis a Rafale but not Typhoon is any day better than the two American types.
However there is much prospect left for improvement of these American fighters. Come a time even the Rafale will be left behind, especially with the coming of Russian T 50 and Chinese J 20.
French and European consortium needs to learn from past lesson and combine their resources to produce the next future stealth multirole fighter. They must elect a leader with a good concept and all the countries belonging to the consortium shall buy the same type of aircraft to create an abled economic scale to compete at an international level.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
The super hornet ultimate killer!
The super hornet like its name is a superb mutirole aircraft. Its sensors and helmet mounted sight plus missiles make its a very lethal fighter. It's air to ground arrays of munitions makes it an excellent attack aircraft. Harpoons completes it as a sea or carrier strike aircraft.
To add to this, it's design is based on the proven concept of earlier and smaller F18. Any shortfall of earlier model are addressed and corrected through this larger version. This makes the super hornet cheap by any standard, western or even eastern.
Like it has not enough of compliments already, it has a electronics warfare version called Growler.
Any airforce in the world would love to have such an aircraft, one that does everything quite weLl, comes at a competitive price, easy as well cost effective to operate and maintain (since one can operate a single type aircraft that does all).
But why is it apart from US it has only manage to sell only 24 copies???
NO SOURCE CODE!!!
To add to this, it's design is based on the proven concept of earlier and smaller F18. Any shortfall of earlier model are addressed and corrected through this larger version. This makes the super hornet cheap by any standard, western or even eastern.
Like it has not enough of compliments already, it has a electronics warfare version called Growler.
Any airforce in the world would love to have such an aircraft, one that does everything quite weLl, comes at a competitive price, easy as well cost effective to operate and maintain (since one can operate a single type aircraft that does all).
But why is it apart from US it has only manage to sell only 24 copies???
NO SOURCE CODE!!!
Saturday, 30 June 2012
SU 30 v Rafale
It's hard to see SU30s and Rafales going to war with each other as both type of aircrafts are chosen and operated by countries unaligned to popular Democratic West. Countries who have acquired the two designs are ones that refuse to be dictate by America especially and it's allies generally; Britain and Australia. Of course countries who do allow themselves to be dictated are rewarded with lucrative industries that will enriched the ruling political party in power at that time. Britain and Australia are ones who benefitted the most through this sort of alignment to US. No doubt by doing so they provide jobs to their people, but the downside is of course they have to send their soldiers all across the world to die, all in the name of USAs interest. Excuses to go to war are sugar coated by words in the likes of democracy, freedom, human rights and so on.
Countries refused to be Pied Pipered by USA will look into acquiring SU30 and Rafale to defend their air. India is great example of a country acquiring both. And what a great buy that was.
Both fighters have great range, variation of weapons at their disposal, variation that are carrier based and in some countries they used the same Damocles pod.
They vary in size, price and certain capabilities ie. air to air Sukhoi may be slightly better than the rafale. SU 30 Is equipped with N011M BARS passive radar that can detect target at 400km an awesome range for BVR encounters and can act as a mini AWACS. The Sukhoi is also equipped with thrust vector nozzles giving it superb maneuverability and has also thrust vector missiles, a very big plus point for dogfighting. However in an unconfirm report of a training exercise between F22s and Rafales the sccored was 0-0 for BVR engagement. SU 30 is yet to go against a F22 in either BVR or dogfight.
Where air to ground is concern, Rafales may be at an advantage over Sukhois. Rafales has got fire and forget air to ground missile called Hammer where else weapons operator in a Sukhoi has to tiresomely tv guide it to its target. Rafales too can attack many target in one fly pass. It is very much doubtfully that SU 30 can do the same.
Where weapons and instruments are concerned Rafales are small enough to help in its mobility. The Sukhois are not as so.
Rafales systems are more complex but made simple as oppose to Sukhoi's that maybe simple but not as user friendly.
All in all India will have both fighters in the next year or so, and ultimately pit them against each other. Only then we will know which areas one shines the most over the other. Until then we will have to wait, that if India ever releases the result at all.
Countries refused to be Pied Pipered by USA will look into acquiring SU30 and Rafale to defend their air. India is great example of a country acquiring both. And what a great buy that was.
Both fighters have great range, variation of weapons at their disposal, variation that are carrier based and in some countries they used the same Damocles pod.
They vary in size, price and certain capabilities ie. air to air Sukhoi may be slightly better than the rafale. SU 30 Is equipped with N011M BARS passive radar that can detect target at 400km an awesome range for BVR encounters and can act as a mini AWACS. The Sukhoi is also equipped with thrust vector nozzles giving it superb maneuverability and has also thrust vector missiles, a very big plus point for dogfighting. However in an unconfirm report of a training exercise between F22s and Rafales the sccored was 0-0 for BVR engagement. SU 30 is yet to go against a F22 in either BVR or dogfight.
Where air to ground is concern, Rafales may be at an advantage over Sukhois. Rafales has got fire and forget air to ground missile called Hammer where else weapons operator in a Sukhoi has to tiresomely tv guide it to its target. Rafales too can attack many target in one fly pass. It is very much doubtfully that SU 30 can do the same.
Where weapons and instruments are concerned Rafales are small enough to help in its mobility. The Sukhois are not as so.
Rafales systems are more complex but made simple as oppose to Sukhoi's that maybe simple but not as user friendly.
All in all India will have both fighters in the next year or so, and ultimately pit them against each other. Only then we will know which areas one shines the most over the other. Until then we will have to wait, that if India ever releases the result at all.
Friday, 29 June 2012
SU 30...a poor man's multirole
Back in the old days Honda Accord used to be a poor man's Mercedes or not so long ago Hyundai a poor mans Jaguar. Presently Hyundai Sonata could qualify as poor man's Mercedes CLS and it's Tuscon an BMW X6 if you noticed. More importantly although they may not have the quality as well as the comfort of their rich man's counterpart, they still get their job done, that is to get their passangers to their destination.
Just like cars an SUVs, they are many multirole fighters available in today's international market. But like mercedes and BMWs not many can afford these multiroles that are in the likes of F15, Rafale, Typhoon and even the absolete Tornado as well as the not so obsolete Mirage. We very well see that in todays present and yesterdays past they belong only to the very rich of countries. So like Honda and Hyundai, middles class countries can only afford multiroles in the likes of F18, F16, Gripen and the cheapest of them all the SU30. Of course out of these poormans multiroles, only F 18 and SU 30 completes most of the requirement of a multirole fighter.
It is norm that countries aligned to Americas west will acquire F18 or F16 while countries that are not will buy into either Gripen and SU30.
Many middle class and upcoming middle class nation have opted for the multirole SU for their cheap pricing and it's capability to cover a wide and vast areas of airspace. China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia are Asian states that have either massive land or seaspace, or even both to protect so SU 30 serve as a cheap alternative to the other types.
Many too operates SU 27 the original derivative to SU 30, an air superiority fighter with basic air to ground role, again with a big tank to cover wide range of airspace.
In peace time time they are used more for air policing as well as sometimes sea patrolling from the air, and they do well in this area as they can cover wide areas. In the event of skirmishes or war SU 30s have a lethal range that put fear to even enemy that are distant to it.
SU 30 munitions too although huge and heavy by western standard are still lethal in its own right, more than enough to demolish any enemy target that is warranted by its operating state.
Like a Honda or hyundai, SU 30 gets the job done, of course maybe with a little discomfort, but for much a lesser price.
Just like cars an SUVs, they are many multirole fighters available in today's international market. But like mercedes and BMWs not many can afford these multiroles that are in the likes of F15, Rafale, Typhoon and even the absolete Tornado as well as the not so obsolete Mirage. We very well see that in todays present and yesterdays past they belong only to the very rich of countries. So like Honda and Hyundai, middles class countries can only afford multiroles in the likes of F18, F16, Gripen and the cheapest of them all the SU30. Of course out of these poormans multiroles, only F 18 and SU 30 completes most of the requirement of a multirole fighter.
It is norm that countries aligned to Americas west will acquire F18 or F16 while countries that are not will buy into either Gripen and SU30.
Many middle class and upcoming middle class nation have opted for the multirole SU for their cheap pricing and it's capability to cover a wide and vast areas of airspace. China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia are Asian states that have either massive land or seaspace, or even both to protect so SU 30 serve as a cheap alternative to the other types.
Many too operates SU 27 the original derivative to SU 30, an air superiority fighter with basic air to ground role, again with a big tank to cover wide range of airspace.
In peace time time they are used more for air policing as well as sometimes sea patrolling from the air, and they do well in this area as they can cover wide areas. In the event of skirmishes or war SU 30s have a lethal range that put fear to even enemy that are distant to it.
SU 30 munitions too although huge and heavy by western standard are still lethal in its own right, more than enough to demolish any enemy target that is warranted by its operating state.
Like a Honda or hyundai, SU 30 gets the job done, of course maybe with a little discomfort, but for much a lesser price.
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Mig 29...the way foward
Mig 29 was great fighter for its time and definitely was look at as an alternative benchmark to the western fighters in its day . It's weight to thrust was superb, it had the first ever helmet mounted sight capability and effective sensitive passive sensors. Even it's manouverability was mind breakingly hard to beat even by today's standard.
However it's lack of range, small numbers of hard points and poor serviceability that effect operational readiness create a big sense of dissatisfaction amongst operator countries. As time passed, minimal upgrades that was made available for this interceptor, however they were not enough to keep it at par or least close the gap with the most modern fighters that we have today.
This is a sad end for such a glorious fighter that could have had such a great future.
Mig 29 was a fighter designed to operate during wartime rather than peace time. The theory was that in an all out war most fighters would be shot latest by the third day. So it is wise just to make them simple and cheap. Even some of is parts were made of lower quality because the planes were deem not to last as long as the wear and tear of the spares the self.
By doing the above more planes could be easily be repaied or replaced during war if the need arises. As long these fighters are working fine and can maintain at an effective number, and quantity is a quality of its own, one can to win the war. We have seen this in the case of Low quality t34 but high in numbers against high standard of built of the tigers where the earlier prevailed.
In an all out war this brilliant concept would work well. However today an all out war is hard to come by, good of course, however this defeats the purpose of the way the mig 29 was built.
Today's fighters must perform peace time roles with little maintainance and cost less to operate. However in the light of war they must be able to perform multirole functions to cater the dire need of their air forces.
Actually Mig 29 has a lot more to give because it has a lot of room left for improvement, and if done this type has a fighting chance both in international sales and even air battles when the need arises.
Areas to look into for improvements for the mig 29 are;
1)adding on AESA radar
2)Adding additional hard points at the two wing tips and under the fuselage
3)building Conformal fuel tanks for it
4)Change the smokey engine
5)Add more mordern helmet mounted sight
6)Paint radar absorbing material
7)Thrust vector
8)add recce pod as well as targeting pod
9)Change certain parts with other material, ie titanium wings and fuselage to make it lighter and improve on the engine and other spare so that they will last longer.
The most prominent solution to this would be Mig 29 operators from different countries must team up and set up an entity to dwell on it's viability of improving their migs and proceed through it if they find it worthwhile. By doing this they can pull together their resources especially in the finance and attract technological advance companies to work with them on upgrading their interceptors. Russia for one might also agree either to take sole responsibility to upgrade these aircrafts or even work together with others to do so.
Many of these improvement can be made with the French even the Israelis companies. They have advance research in the above said areas of technologies. The French, israelis or even the British as well as other European countries would jump to the opportunity and would love to tag along on these projects and make enormous profits. So far attempt by these companies and even the Russian have failed because hey are unable to sell these improvements in quantity, thus there is no economic scale to support the sales.
Operating countries can agree on the standard upgrade and create a viable economic scale to support such upgrades.
By doing this current operating countries may keep its old migs and upgrade when nessacary which in most time it is. By doing this they can save a lot from buying new unproven fighters.
Based on the same formula F15 and F16, both 40 years old aircraft by design are still very much marketable today.
However it's lack of range, small numbers of hard points and poor serviceability that effect operational readiness create a big sense of dissatisfaction amongst operator countries. As time passed, minimal upgrades that was made available for this interceptor, however they were not enough to keep it at par or least close the gap with the most modern fighters that we have today.
This is a sad end for such a glorious fighter that could have had such a great future.
Mig 29 was a fighter designed to operate during wartime rather than peace time. The theory was that in an all out war most fighters would be shot latest by the third day. So it is wise just to make them simple and cheap. Even some of is parts were made of lower quality because the planes were deem not to last as long as the wear and tear of the spares the self.
By doing the above more planes could be easily be repaied or replaced during war if the need arises. As long these fighters are working fine and can maintain at an effective number, and quantity is a quality of its own, one can to win the war. We have seen this in the case of Low quality t34 but high in numbers against high standard of built of the tigers where the earlier prevailed.
In an all out war this brilliant concept would work well. However today an all out war is hard to come by, good of course, however this defeats the purpose of the way the mig 29 was built.
Today's fighters must perform peace time roles with little maintainance and cost less to operate. However in the light of war they must be able to perform multirole functions to cater the dire need of their air forces.
Actually Mig 29 has a lot more to give because it has a lot of room left for improvement, and if done this type has a fighting chance both in international sales and even air battles when the need arises.
Areas to look into for improvements for the mig 29 are;
1)adding on AESA radar
2)Adding additional hard points at the two wing tips and under the fuselage
3)building Conformal fuel tanks for it
4)Change the smokey engine
5)Add more mordern helmet mounted sight
6)Paint radar absorbing material
7)Thrust vector
8)add recce pod as well as targeting pod
9)Change certain parts with other material, ie titanium wings and fuselage to make it lighter and improve on the engine and other spare so that they will last longer.
The most prominent solution to this would be Mig 29 operators from different countries must team up and set up an entity to dwell on it's viability of improving their migs and proceed through it if they find it worthwhile. By doing this they can pull together their resources especially in the finance and attract technological advance companies to work with them on upgrading their interceptors. Russia for one might also agree either to take sole responsibility to upgrade these aircrafts or even work together with others to do so.
Many of these improvement can be made with the French even the Israelis companies. They have advance research in the above said areas of technologies. The French, israelis or even the British as well as other European countries would jump to the opportunity and would love to tag along on these projects and make enormous profits. So far attempt by these companies and even the Russian have failed because hey are unable to sell these improvements in quantity, thus there is no economic scale to support the sales.
Operating countries can agree on the standard upgrade and create a viable economic scale to support such upgrades.
By doing this current operating countries may keep its old migs and upgrade when nessacary which in most time it is. By doing this they can save a lot from buying new unproven fighters.
Based on the same formula F15 and F16, both 40 years old aircraft by design are still very much marketable today.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Rafale vs Super Hornets
There are only two true multirole in existence today, the f 18 Superhornet and Rafale. The rest are just mere wanna bes, ever claiming to be one.
Sukhoi Su 30s types lack a proper fire and forget missiles, in especially the air to ground sector. Even of the ones they have they are huge in size, hence to transport them is a logistic nuisance or even nightmare. Having large and bulky fighters servicing machine does makes it worse. An airforce might need a few C 130s to deliver such goods for the air forces if the aircrafts needed to be repositioned to a more strategic locality.
Furthermore the existing missles are of tv guided based, thus they have to depend on its weapon operator to guide the missles based on the video sights of these specific warheads to reach its target. Now, this is quite very difficult to do, inespecially in a dogfights: when flying high G's manouveres and in inverted position. Of course these Russian type fighters capablity in air to air and air to sea surface is somewhat remarkable.
Typhoon lacks everything and is expensive to fly.
Gripen can only carry so much weight, only to be reduced to recconaise and enforcing a no fly zone role in an area when there are no enemy planes left qto speak of. Now what does that tell us.
Third generation fighters in the likes of F15 and F16 are doing well after fifth generation upgrades; stealth, AESA, latest air to air and air to surface (ground and sea)and conformal fuel tanks. But for a 4.5th, fifth generation fighters they will never be.
So we are left with F 18 Super Hornets and Rafales to fill up the world MRCA gap.
One could say the Hornet's is a complete MRCA. It practically carries every arsenal in US Air Force, comes with AESA and has respectable range. The Growler's version or betterly termed as conversion scored its biggest marks. Its only weakness is its a 7.5 G fighter, fully compensated of course by its helmet mounted sight. Sure enough the infamous source code issue is the deal breaker. And Ever wonder why Switzerland decided on something nearly as useless as the Gripen when the more capable Super Hornets are simply available for the same price.
Rafale is a higher G fighter than the Hornet. It's Damocles, Exocet, AESA, effective French made arsenals, conformal fuel tank avability, compatibility of land and carrier version are its strong and selling points. However it is without HMD. The French has suspended this program indefinitely. Maybe a UAE Rafale buy will remedy this, or maybe it will not.Dassault must realise that like the stealth, HMD is the way to a successful future. Without it they will fall behind and suffer the very same fate as the MIG 29, a powerful and maneuverable fighter with outdated sensors with no hope for viable improvement to survive this millennium battles or marketability. What a big shame. Boo hoo hoo!
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Asia too should buy into rafale hegemony
In a world where US dominance is absolute, ones tounge, arms and leg are tied, unfree to say and do what ones beleive even when one is right. This is especially truest when one expose the dark side of profitable yet merciless Americas policies made popular by pro west media.
Buying into any of the US made fighters confines ones freedom. Not surprisingly acquiring the four nation build typhoon is no different. The Saudi got played like they always do by the US when they bought into the typhoons. Sensitive pods and missiles were not allowed to be sold to them due to Americas protest thus making an already incomplete multirole fighter further less usefull. The Saudi had to settle for finally FRENCH made pods and missiles on European made Typhoon, and of course integrating them on the Typhoon takes extra time and money, both of which the Arab nation can afford though in truth she can do without.
Asia definitely do have not the same luxury, thus they have to choose something more practical, something more omnirole. Superhornet would have been a good and practical buy if it was not for US holding back on its source codes, a a mean of tying ones tounge, arms and legs. No other capable multirole alternatives free from major influence exist at this moment except for Rafale and Sukhoi 30s. Of course Sukhoi has its shortcoming. Still it's a good enough toy for the poor Asian countries. Rafale suits more middle class and rich Asian countries due to its higher cost, claimed by dassaults to be ever reasonable.
India's choice has shown the world how to buy multirole fighters. Countries like UAE and Brazil, even Switzerland are likely to follow suit with the Rafale always being been their first choice. In the absence of opportunistic meddlers Rafales shall be the chosen needed fighter in those countries. This very well apply to other middle class and rich countries in Asia.
Buying into any of the US made fighters confines ones freedom. Not surprisingly acquiring the four nation build typhoon is no different. The Saudi got played like they always do by the US when they bought into the typhoons. Sensitive pods and missiles were not allowed to be sold to them due to Americas protest thus making an already incomplete multirole fighter further less usefull. The Saudi had to settle for finally FRENCH made pods and missiles on European made Typhoon, and of course integrating them on the Typhoon takes extra time and money, both of which the Arab nation can afford though in truth she can do without.
Asia definitely do have not the same luxury, thus they have to choose something more practical, something more omnirole. Superhornet would have been a good and practical buy if it was not for US holding back on its source codes, a a mean of tying ones tounge, arms and legs. No other capable multirole alternatives free from major influence exist at this moment except for Rafale and Sukhoi 30s. Of course Sukhoi has its shortcoming. Still it's a good enough toy for the poor Asian countries. Rafale suits more middle class and rich Asian countries due to its higher cost, claimed by dassaults to be ever reasonable.
India's choice has shown the world how to buy multirole fighters. Countries like UAE and Brazil, even Switzerland are likely to follow suit with the Rafale always being been their first choice. In the absence of opportunistic meddlers Rafales shall be the chosen needed fighter in those countries. This very well apply to other middle class and rich countries in Asia.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
The alternate stealth/fifth generation fighter
The bragging rights to the first stealth fighter beLongs to the US of A. After close to 20 years the Russians finally came up with one of their own too. Then it was the Chinese. South Korea and Japan in way was racing against each other to build one too, latter opted out due to the financial constraint caused by tsunami that hit it.
Designing what more building a stealth fighter is very costly to the extend it may bankrupt a country if one is not carefully. We all know that US is already bankrupted. Russians had to join with India to avoid bankruptcy. The Chinese produce it too cheaply to bankrupt itself. South Korea? Mmm...
South Korea has Indonesia as partner to this venture, both are not economic giants yet but are said to become one be in decades to come. Can this two really do it?
They have a better chance if Japan join in. However due to past Jqapanese treatment over the Koreans especially during world war II this may not be traditionally possible.
But it if was, then a combine force of two strong democratic powers through their large economies and advance technologies may completely build a fly away unit and not only sell it to themselves but the rest of non aligned countries in Asia and the rest of the developing world too.
No more will these two countries be desparately hung up for F22.
They really need to do this especially when China has one now, and definitely hundreds or maybe thousands later.
Designing what more building a stealth fighter is very costly to the extend it may bankrupt a country if one is not carefully. We all know that US is already bankrupted. Russians had to join with India to avoid bankruptcy. The Chinese produce it too cheaply to bankrupt itself. South Korea? Mmm...
South Korea has Indonesia as partner to this venture, both are not economic giants yet but are said to become one be in decades to come. Can this two really do it?
They have a better chance if Japan join in. However due to past Jqapanese treatment over the Koreans especially during world war II this may not be traditionally possible.
But it if was, then a combine force of two strong democratic powers through their large economies and advance technologies may completely build a fly away unit and not only sell it to themselves but the rest of non aligned countries in Asia and the rest of the developing world too.
No more will these two countries be desparately hung up for F22.
They really need to do this especially when China has one now, and definitely hundreds or maybe thousands later.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Hornets can still sting...if its operators allow it to
Malaysia already has a batch of 8 F 18Ds, why not add another 10 of the same said second hand models to make it 18, a perfect numbered squadron. First off all it's cheap and for all you know US or even Australia might give their retired hornets to her air force for free, subject of course to her bearing the cost upgrade that her air arms need anyway.
By doing so Malaysia can wait for the 4.5 as well as 5th generating fighter to mature and make the right decision rather than procuring something that is not fully developed. There is no guarantee what the future holds for these brand new fighters with the budget slash cuts and all. If an early aqusition is made of her MRCA, Malaysia might buy into something that misleadingly sounds good in the beginning but run the risk of having halted development in the later stage due to shortage of funds or even cancellation of related sub programs if not the programme itself.
F 18D especially a second hand unit would surely cost less but perform better than gripen, the cheapest among the 4.5 generation contenders. A future programme to add AESA capabilities and weapons to go with it on this type of hornet if there is any enough takers, and by the looks of it there are, since the are 9 countries operate them, many in large numbers. Many of them too are in a dilema of not only choosing but waiting for the right but as always delayed fifth generation fighter to come along, hence leaving a big gap in their line of defences.
F 18 C/D could be in this milineum what F 5 was in last century, a cheap easily maintained fighter, only that the hornet is more capable not only as a fighter but as a multirole with SEAD capabilities.
By doing so Malaysia can wait for the 4.5 as well as 5th generating fighter to mature and make the right decision rather than procuring something that is not fully developed. There is no guarantee what the future holds for these brand new fighters with the budget slash cuts and all. If an early aqusition is made of her MRCA, Malaysia might buy into something that misleadingly sounds good in the beginning but run the risk of having halted development in the later stage due to shortage of funds or even cancellation of related sub programs if not the programme itself.
F 18D especially a second hand unit would surely cost less but perform better than gripen, the cheapest among the 4.5 generation contenders. A future programme to add AESA capabilities and weapons to go with it on this type of hornet if there is any enough takers, and by the looks of it there are, since the are 9 countries operate them, many in large numbers. Many of them too are in a dilema of not only choosing but waiting for the right but as always delayed fifth generation fighter to come along, hence leaving a big gap in their line of defences.
F 18 C/D could be in this milineum what F 5 was in last century, a cheap easily maintained fighter, only that the hornet is more capable not only as a fighter but as a multirole with SEAD capabilities.
Long overdue...Rafale's worth finally duly noted!
The long awaited announcement for eager enthusiasts on the selection of India's MRCA has indeed surprise myself and I am sure many others. Somehow with all the buzz in the media air it would seem for sure typhoon was to be the sure winner, though we know how lacking the type is when it comes to its multirole capabilities while the flyaway and hourly of cost of flights are exorbitantly prohibitive.
Dasault Rafale finally declared as India's MRCA winner, lifted the USD 10 billion trophy it so desprately deserved. This is what it may need to break away from no abroad sales curse of its most modern and capable fighter yet. Or was really a curse?
It always seemed that rafale was was chosen over it's bitter nemesis the typhoon and has always made it to the finals of many competitions, only always to be denied by f15 eagles "attach herewith" American political pressure. Korea and Singapore fighter aircraft competition has bear witness to this. Japan would have followed suit if the French did not wisely pulled out avoiding unnecessarily waste of their already limited resources.
It was the leaked Swiss report that finally put rafale in its deserving place, placing typhoon no where near it and Gripen no where at all. India's decision on Rafale firmly cemented its position as a lethal omnirole fighter with no possibility of sanction attached to it, that being the best weapon ever in this neo centric American world.
Some reports have concluded that India's selection has spark Brazil, UAE and even the Swiss to select Rafale for their next future fighters. This may leave the European conglomerates wishing they should have just let the French's concept lead them in the first place thus have broader base of market waiting for them. Of course their egos says otherwise.
In all true sincerity Malaysia and maybe Iran should follow India's suit and fly the Rafales.
Dasault Rafale finally declared as India's MRCA winner, lifted the USD 10 billion trophy it so desprately deserved. This is what it may need to break away from no abroad sales curse of its most modern and capable fighter yet. Or was really a curse?
It always seemed that rafale was was chosen over it's bitter nemesis the typhoon and has always made it to the finals of many competitions, only always to be denied by f15 eagles "attach herewith" American political pressure. Korea and Singapore fighter aircraft competition has bear witness to this. Japan would have followed suit if the French did not wisely pulled out avoiding unnecessarily waste of their already limited resources.
It was the leaked Swiss report that finally put rafale in its deserving place, placing typhoon no where near it and Gripen no where at all. India's decision on Rafale firmly cemented its position as a lethal omnirole fighter with no possibility of sanction attached to it, that being the best weapon ever in this neo centric American world.
Some reports have concluded that India's selection has spark Brazil, UAE and even the Swiss to select Rafale for their next future fighters. This may leave the European conglomerates wishing they should have just let the French's concept lead them in the first place thus have broader base of market waiting for them. Of course their egos says otherwise.
In all true sincerity Malaysia and maybe Iran should follow India's suit and fly the Rafales.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
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