Dassault Rafale, tender | News & Discussions

[sidharth]

MMRCA SQRs emphasize attack potential and ownership costs

August 17, 2009, (Sawf News) - The IAF MMRCA selection process appears to emphasize attack potential and low cost of ownership, not air combat capability.

A news report in the Hindu on the IAF MMRCA selection process makes on mention of the close combat capability of the contenders.

It says the contending aircraft will be tested for stability, control, safety issues, range and endurance during the flight evaluations with evaluating teams also assessing the capabilities of the radar, navigation equipment, self-defense suites and electronic warfare devices.

Armaments will be tested in the final phase.

Here is a translation of the above SQR: The IAF wants the aircraft that can deliver a given weapon load farthest with accuracy and return safely.

In a refreshing departure from the past, the IAF will also assess the cost of ownership of each aircraft, taking into account factors such as the life of the engine, the cost of overhaul/replacement of engine and the cost to maintain these aircraft by establishing ground support.

"We do not compare one aircraft with another, but evaluate against its ability to meet our requirements and arrive at a through and methodical conclusion. There are no extra points for anyone crossing the minimum [SQR] requirements," an IAF officer familiar with the evaluation trials told the Hindu.

The trials do not involve dissimilar combat so maneuverability will be judged based on rate of turn, climb and acceleration.

Clearly, the IAF is not looking for the most maneuverable aircraft so it's going to be an uphill battle for the MiG-35 despite the crazy rate of turn that it can achieve.

The F-16 and Gripen JAS-39 are constrained by their single engines for the reasons below.

The IAF will never have the resources to establish overwhelming air superiority over enemy airspace, because our potential enemies are no walkovers. Low level penetration, to minimize radar detection range and exposure to ground based missiles, will continue to be an important element of IAF tactics.

Flying at low level entails bird hit risk hence twin engine contenders will be at an advantage.

There can be little doubt the F/A-18E/F will ace the radar, navigation equipment, self-defense suites and electronic warfare evaluation trials with its AN/APG-79, with none of the other contenders, except MiG-35, having a matured AESA. The Phazotron Zhuk AE is matured but first generation.

Lockheed's relatively low key campaign for the F-16IN sometimes makes me wonder if the company entered the fray just to give more legitimacy to the eventuality that the Super Hornet is selected. With two top of the line fighters in contention, a nod for the Super Hornet would be more palatable to the Indian public which is wary of defense deals with the US.

Interestingly IAF officials have repeatedly emphasized that strategic interests will take priority over the lowest bid, another reason why Gripen and MiG-35 aren't going to have a cake walk.

 

[notting hill]

Just saw this post from screaming regarding F-16 landing in delhi on 31st . I duno if this has been shared before in this forum ,neverthless i am goin to share the brochure of F-16IN released by lockheed with my fellow forum members. The bird is impressive fr sure.
Tried loading the pdf but the file size is 1.82mb.. below is the text version :

FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HAVING A LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL PDF OF F-16IN JUST FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING LINK AND DOWNLOAD THE FILE FROM BJORN'S POST .HE IS F-16.NET EDITOR

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-9966.html

F-16IN
Nothing Compares
F-16IN
Nothing Compares

F-16IN
Nothing Compares.


No Wonder All Other Fighter Aircraft
Try To Compare Themselves to the F-16

With proven performance, effectiveness, versatility, and sustainability, the F-16
rises above all others as the world’s best multi role fighter.

The F-16IN is designed exclusively to meet or exceed all of India’s Medium Multi Role Combat
Aircraft (MMRCA) requirements. Evolutionary integration of the most advanced technologies makes the
F-16IN the most advanced F-16 ever built. New capabilities – not yet available in other fighters – have
already been proven in actual combat by the F-16. It is easy to see why the world’s most successful multi
role fighter keeps getting better and best meets India’s long-term defense needs. By every measure, the right
choice for India is the F-16IN, the U.S. Air Force, and an industrial partnership with Lockheed Martin.


No Comparison: Safety, Reliability, and Maintainability
Safest, most reliable multi role fighter in U.S. Air Force history.
The F-16 is the most reliable, maintainable, and safest multi role fighter in the world . . . based on more than 13 million flight hours in
peacetime and combat operations. Our support approach provides the lowest life-cycle cost, operates within the existing Indian Air Force
infrastructure, demonstrates greater than 99% flight mission reliability, and ensures greater than 86% aircraft availability (proven greater
than 90% in combat situations). The F-16 is highly supportable, with a 70% decrease in operations and support costs over legacy systems.
No Comparison: Combat and Operational Effectiveness
Most dominant warfighting capability in the region.
The F-16 is the most operationally proven multi role fighter available today. It is proven with
the U.S. Air Force – and with many of the world’s finest air forces – through millions of flight
hours and under the full range of climatic conditions, operational environments, and support
requirements. It has extensive combat operations in 10 different countries, with hundreds of
thousands of combat sorties being flown in the Balkans, Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The
F-16 is the backbone fighter in these multi role operations, demonstrating unmatched lethality,
survivability, and supportability.
• More combat hours (over 400,000)
• More air-to-air victories (72–0)
• More flight hours (over 13 million)
• More combat missions flown (over 100,000 sorties)
• More ordnance delivered in combat (over 2,200,000 kg)
• Over 100 weapons certified in thousands of operational configurations
No Comparison: Performance to India’s Operational Requirements
Exemplary performance in all missions and key operational requirements.
Actual combat experience drives the evolution of aero performance, high maneuverability, high
range/payload, and integration of advanced technology to create the most effective multi role
fighter available today. This includes avionics, sensors, and weapons with standoff and satellite-
guided weapon capability, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an internal
electronic warfare (EW) suite, and advanced navigation. These systems and technologies
combine to either meet or exceed all MMRCA requirements and provide extensive growth
capability for the future.
Nothing Compares Because
Nothing Can Compare
No Comparison: Safety, Reliability, and Maintainability
Safest, most reliable multi role fighter in U.S. Air Force history.
The F-16 is the most reliable, maintainable, and safest multi role fighter in the world . . . based on more than 13 million flight hours in
peacetime and combat operations. Our support approach provides the lowest life-cycle cost, operates within the existing Indian Air Force
infrastructure, demonstrates greater than 99% flight mission reliability, and ensures greater than 86% aircraft availability (proven greater
than 90% in combat situations). The F-16 is highly supportable, with a 70% decrease in operations and support costs over legacy systems.
No Comparison: Combat and Operational Effectiveness
Most dominant warfighting capability in the region.
The F-16 is the most operationally proven multi role fighter available today. It is proven with
the U.S. Air Force – and with many of the world’s finest air forces – through millions of flight
hours and under the full range of climatic conditions, operational environments, and support
requirements. It has extensive combat operations in 10 different countries, with hundreds of
thousands of combat sorties being flown in the Balkans, Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The
F-16 is the backbone fighter in these multi role operations, demonstrating unmatched lethality,
survivability, and supportability.
• More combat hours (over 400,000)
• More air-to-air victories (72–0)
• More flight hours (over 13 million)
• More combat missions flown (over 100,000 sorties)
• More ordnance delivered in combat (over 2,200,000 kg)
• Over 100 weapons certified in thousands of operational configurations
No Comparison: Performance to India’s Operational Requirements
Exemplary performance in all missions and key operational requirements.
Actual combat experience drives the evolution of aero performance, high maneuverability, high
range/payload, and integration of advanced technology to create the most effective multi role
fighter available today. This includes avionics, sensors, and weapons with standoff and satellite-
guided weapon capability, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an internal
electronic warfare (EW) suite, and advanced navigation. These systems and technologies
combine to either meet or exceed all MMRCA requirements and provide extensive growth
capability for the future.
Nothing Compares Because
Nothing Can Compare

No Comparison: The Most Advanced Technology


Modern Avionics, Sensors, and System Capabilities

The F-16IN includes a full-color, all-digital glass cockpit with large displays; a powerful
high-speed mission computer; an enhanced high-thrust engine; a large weapon inventory
including the latest sophisticated weapons; an advanced sensor system; and advanced
survivability through reduced radio frequency, infrared, acoustic, and visual spectrum
signatures. The F-16 has extensive growth and flexibility that has allowed it to evolve and
remain the most capable, combat-proven multi role fighter in the world. Through robust
technology transfer, the Indian Air Force obtains the ability to adapt the F-16IN with new
capabilities, whether through technology advancements or new requirements.


Modern, Full-Color,All-Digital Glass
Cockpit

The F-16IN pilot receives easy-to-interpret
information via the full-color, all-digital glass
cockpit. The powerful high-speed mission computer
has large displays, allowing reduced workload
and focus on the
mission, not the
mechanics.

The missionized twin-seat version of
the F-16IN fully integrates the advanced
weapons system and two-person crew,
increasing survivability and situational
awareness in high-workload environments.



Proven AESA Radar

The F-16IN APG-80 active electronically scanned array (AESA)
radar is fully developed, integrated, and operational. The APG80
is the only AESA deployed operationally outside the United
States. This revolutionary all-weather, precision targeting AESA
radar provides outstanding situational awareness and detection;
ultrahigh-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping,
fully interleaved with automatic terrain following; and air-to-air
tracking of multiple targets. The APG-80 AESA radar incorporates
the latest technology to a level exceeding that of any available in a
fighter today.


Enhanced High-Thrust Engine

The F-16IN offers one of the world’s best fighter engines – the
General Electric F110-132A engine in the 143 kN thrust class,
with a reputation for stall-free operation. This engine is proven
around the world and continues to demonstrate its record of safety,
reliability, maintainability, and durability. The F-16IN features
an advanced full authority digital electronic control for the most-
reliable single-engine aircraft operation.

Advanced Survivability Features

The small signature of the F-16 reduces detection by enemy
radars. Modern threat warning systems, expendables, and internal
electronic warfare systems help avoid or defeat the most advanced
threats. Superior agility, excellent pilot situational awareness,
buried fuel lines, and fuel inerting systems reduce the F-16’s
vulnerability to attack. Critical systems redundancy and shielding
enhance survivability in the event of attack.

Large Weapons Inventory

F-16 stores integration continues to grow – more than 100 stores in
over 5,000 combinations. Special mission capability, such as anti-
shipping and photoreconnaissance, has been added to the fighter’s
stores mix. With combined load-outs of air-to-air and air-to-ground
weapons, the F-16 has demonstrated the ability to provide self-
escort and defend itself against enemy fighters.

Highly Effective Electronic Warfare Suite

The Electronic Warfare Suite is designed with a high-speed
Fibre Channel data communication architecture meeting
the demanding warfighter requirements for detection,
countermeasures, communications, displays, controls, mission
operation, and internal installation, resulting in one of the most
effective electronic warfare systems ever fielded on a multi role
fighter. The F-16IN Electronic Warfare Suite takes technologies
and capabilities historically confined to large, specialized
electronic warfare aircraft and integrates them into the multi role
fighter configuration.

Net-Centric Warfare Capability

The fusion of net-centric operation and onboard data provides a
total battlespace picture and optimizes mission accomplishment.
Data integrates through all phases of the mission – from mission
planning, navigation, communication, and target prosecution to
return to base – transforming the pilot from an aircraft system
manager to a tactician.

Range and Payload

Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) significantly extend the F-16IN’s
range and persistence. The CFTs install and remove easily and
are aerodynamically shaped for maximum efficiency without
compromising the F-16’s legendary handling characteristics. The
F-16IN can deliver more than 1,500 kg of ordnance on targets
more than 1,700 km away and return home without refueling.


Advanced Technology That Drives
Unmatched Mission Performance



No Comparison: High-Value Industrial Partnership


With the world’s largest, most successful
defense contractor.

India’s partnership with Lockheed Martin provides access to the
highest technology, opportunities for technology co-development,
low-risk licensed production, and extensive long-term business
opportunities. Lockheed Martin provides a low-risk production
plan for MMRCA that includes licensed production with
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and extensive participation
with Indian industry. Lockheed Martin has also demonstrated


successful F-16 licensed production in four countries and
co-development of other fighters in three countries. The
unparalleled ability to successfully transfer technology and
establish indigenous capability in countries throughout the
world has also been demonstrated. Lockheed Martin has
never failed to meet an offset commitment, with over $37
billion realized by 40 countries. An MMRCA partnership
with Lockheed Martin offers the following benefits:

• High-level transfer of technology
• Indian ability to leverage experience and capability across
the entire defense spectrum – space, air, land, and sea
• Advanced technologies (including true 5TH generation
technology), processes, and procedures, only available through
Lockheed Martin
• The most direct roadmap to F-35 capability based on F-16IN
MMRCA partnering successes
• Opportunities for joint technology development-– air, space,
communications, net-centric warfare, unmanned aerial vehicles,
ground-and sea-based systems, operational data link, and light
combat aircraft

No Comparison: Key Strategic Partnerships With the United States and the U.S. Air Force

MMRCA is a key program for the U.S. Air Force and a critical enabler in the relationship between
the Indian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force provides high value to the Indian Air Force with program and acquisition oversight, affordability through
weapon system commonality, operational effectiveness through joint exercises, common training, and concept of operations/tactics
development. Through the partnership, the Government of India benefits from U.S. Air Force support in the following ways:

• Planning, execution, and operational concepts
• U.S. defense production prioritization
• Access to U.S. ranges and test facilities
• Proven and established U.S. contracting processes
• Regulations to ensure timely performance to quality and schedule
With the selection of F-16IN for MMRCA, India joins with 24
countries that have selected the F-16 and its dominant capabilities for
their sovereign defense. The F-16IN – the newest and most advanced
design of any F-16 ever built – provides the Indian Air Force a strong
leadership position within the international community.

• The right fighter
No Comparison: F-16IN • The right technologies
• The right partners

Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company

P.O. Box 748
Fort Worth, TX 76101
Lockheed Martin - We never forget who we're working for
A07-23202A001

 

[Screaming Skull]

Lockheed Martin flying in F-16s to Bangalore on Monday for IAF trials​

Fri, Aug 28 06:50 PM

Bangalore, Aug 28 (IANS): Three F-16 advanced fighters of US aerospace major Lockheed Martin will soar into the skies Monday for the flight evaluation trials (FET) of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) the Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking to replace its ageing Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet.

'We are flying in three F-16s from Dubai to Bangalore Aug 31 for the month-long field trials. The fourth-generation advanced fighters are currently with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force. They will be flown by our test pilots along with US Air Force pilots,' a senior Lockheed Martin official told IANS here.

In the run-up to the trials, to be conducted in Bangalore, near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan desert and in high-altitude Leh in September, Lockheed Martin has flown-in an advance team, including a logistics group, for ground preparations.

'The F-16s, with fifth generation capabilities, will demonstrate to the IAF their strike power, speed, accuracy and its awesome 360-degree maneouvers, with its sophisticated active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar,' Lockheed Martin director Michael R. Griswold said.

If Lockheed Martin bags the lucrative order, estimated to be about $10 billion at current prices for 126 aircraft, it will manufacture an Indian version, christened F-16IN Super Viper that will carry about 8,000kg of conventional weapons or nuclear warheads.

The other five aircraft in the fray for the order are Boeing's F/A-181N Super Hornet, the Dassault Rafale, the Saab Gripen, the Russian MiG-35 and the European consortium EADS Eurofighter Typhoon.

As per the global tender floated last year, the winning bidder will have to deliver 18 aircraft in fly-away condition, while the remaining 108 will be manufactured by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under a technology transfer deal.

Though the tender is for 126 aircraft, there is an option for an additional 50 percent, or 63 more aircraft.

The F-16 trials will take place a fortnight after Boeing flew in its two Super Hornets Aug 14 and conducted trials for about 10 days from Aug 17 in Bangalore before taking-off to Jaisalmer and Leh for a series of trials in hot and cold weather conditions.

During the second round of field trials, senior IAF test pilots will join Lockheed Martin test pilots to fly the tandem-seater fighters for a firsthand feel of its capabilities and technologies, especially its electronic warfare abilities.

'Initially, the IAF pilots will co-pilot the aircraft, taking controls mid-air after familiarising themselves with the systems and the advanced navigation aids. In the subsequent trials, the IAF pilots will take command of the aircraft for evaluating its various parameters, including use of weapons,' a Lockheed Martin official said but declined to be named.

The IAF has formed two teams of two test pilots each for the flight trials, which will be conducted in three stages: pilot familiarisation, field trials and weapons systems trials. The third stage will be conducted in the country of manufacture.

The technical evaluation was completed early this year after the six manufacturers responded to the IAF's Request for Proposal (RFP) in August 2007.

'All the trials are on a no-cost-no-commitment basis. The IAF will buy only the aircraft that meets all the parameters in terms of capabilities and cost,' a defence analyst told IANS here.

Lockheed Martin flying in F-16s to Bangalore for IAF trials - Yahoo! India News

 

[warlock21]

thanks friends..... Any Information regarding ... what is the outcome of F-18 trials...looks like this Global tender is of 180 Fighter Jets rather than 120 - 126..

But more important News would be the Word on TRANFER OF TECHNOLOGY to us.. especially if it come from the US...... coz tht would have serious implications on us in LONG TERM.

 

[GLOBAL HAWK]

thanks friends..... Any Information regarding ... what is the outcome of F-18 trials...looks like this Global tender is of 180 Fighter Jets rather than 120 - 126..

But more important News would be the Word on TRANFER OF TECHNOLOGY to us.. especially if it come from the US...... coz tht would have serious implications on us in LONG TERM.

Hi Mate!
can you let us know of any link regarding the increase in the number of fighter jets

 

[warlock21]

Hi Mate!
can you let us know of any link regarding the increase in the number of fighter jets

Just read the above article from SS..... he underlined this thing already.

 

[notting hill]

FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PLAY AROUND IN F-16IN COCKPIT.. HERE IS THE LINK :

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/f16in/F-16IN%20Spherical REZED 8-26.html

 

[shchinese]

we Chinese in general admire your very good channel of weapon supply. just look at your navy, how many stuff are made/design in india? almost nothing! you get all those gears from different country - so easily!

when we are working hard to get something done, you just pay $ and you easily get it. when your navy Mumbai class ship went to our port, we all shocked! an Indian navy ship comes with a collection of gears from almost a dozen country! that is the most internationalized weapon system in the world. you know, the US, EU, Russia, China, Japan just simply can't match that.

now you are running this MRCA show, we admire you again! with already so many fighters from different countries, you are adding more complexity into your airforce! nice, nice, nice!

 

[gogbot]

. when your navy Mumbai class ship went to our port, we all shocked! an Indian navy ship comes with a collection of gears from almost a dozen country! that is the most internationalized weapon system in the world. you know, the US, EU, Russia, China, Japan just simply can't match that.

LoL, The most internationalized weapon system in the world

, i guess that's one way to put it.

KUDOS to your wit

 

[shchinese]

LoL, The most internationalized weapon system in the world

, i guess that's one way to put it.

KUDOS to your wit

we are having big problems on our Taihang engines, although Taihang has been installed on our J-11B fighters for active service, however the reliability is just not great.

we are having big problems on our big carriers, Y-9 has been in "development" for almost 10 years now, we still can't get it down.

we are having big problems on our aircraft carriers, as both the engine and the aircrafts need to be made in China - which is never an easy task.

you guys simply don't have such problems to worry about, you get it from everywhere. there is rumors that even the bullets used by your army is bought from other countries.

cheers for the most internationalized armed forces in the world!

 

[humblehobbes]

maybe they trust us with the gears.. They know that we will not reverse engineer it and sell it to other cut countries at cut rate prices I guess the international community does not trust you guys with even a single gear

 

[shchinese]

maybe they trust us with the gears.. They know that we will not reverse engineer it and sell it to other cut countries at cut rate prices

it is not that easy to clone those stuff. can you just clone the intel chip and make big money? can you just clone the windows system that allows you to have significant upgrades to the kernel functionalities and sell it for $$$?

or can you just clone the the 155mm gear shown in the following link?
http://himg2.huanqiu.com/attachment/081204/cbdb248ecc.jpg

you can't, the infrastructure, industry base doesn't allow you (and China) to do that.

 

[humblehobbes]

it is not that easy to clone those stuff. can you just clone the intel chip and make big money? can you just clone the windows system that allows you to have significant upgrades to the kernel functionalities and sell it for $$$?

or can you just clone the the 155mm gear shown in the following link?
http://himg2.huanqiu.com/attachment/081204/cbdb248ecc.jpg

you can't, the infrastructure, industry base doesn't allow you (and China) to do that.

Fine! then what is the point you asserting in most of your threads that the Chinese C0CK is bigger than the Indian one?

 

[shchinese]

Fine! then what is the point you asserting in most of your threads that the Chinese C0CK is bigger than the Indian one?

to tell you guys the truth so you won't believe your propaganda media.

you can check your media, in just the past few months, how many "china is going to invade us", "we are going to have war with china" kind of stuff?

this is something you can't deny, it is widely reported in your country by your media.

 

[beckham]

to tell you guys the truth so you won't believe your propaganda media.

you can check your media, in just the past few months, how many "china is going to invade us", "we are going to have war with china" kind of stuff?

this is something you can't deny, it is widely reported in your country by your media.

Well, we are not ones who is lacking freedom of speech and being suppressed by the commies !The news of "china is going to invade us" wasn't a big news, only a few newspapers reported that and I didn't even saw it on a single TV channel ! plzz Don't make a big seal out of it and get back to topic .....