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Isn't that F-16I? with Conformal tanks?
Does any other AF operates F-16 with conformal tanks?
UAE, Singapore, Israel, US etc does use'em.
F-16I is a modified F-16 Block 52+
Accepted Stealth is the mother of all tech...only Uncle has it for now.
Just a note: What if the stealth is nothing more than a propaganda? Who independantly has seen the F-22. All are just relying too much on the handouts of LM.
Bythe way Sicko-30 is no stealthy ...it is a big bird seen from long distances with big signature.
Thats only if the Sukhois (name calling an aircraft is rather silly, dont you think- its not like it makes the aircraft bad or good?) have not undergone signature reduction measures. Take a look at the ITAE conference papers at which the Russian unit describes what its achieved for the Flanker family. Pretty interesting stuff since it lowers the RCS especially, the frontal RCS of the Flankers, substantially.
The only problem with such papers is that they are written and compiled by Russians with a vested interest in showing their own products as superior. The same cannot be said of the western hardware (especially US) as it is in use by various countries who may not be averse to calling a spade a spade if they find issues and flaws.
Chukker,
Are we talking of the current inventory or the future to be designed aircraft? The current Sukhois of whatever nomenclature have 10 square meter RCS and the russians claim of reducing it to 1 square meter is to be seen to belive.
Till then my above opinion holds true...............what do you say?
A problem of huge size" is how the researchers describe the Su-35 inlet, with a straight duct that provides direct visibility to the entire face of the engine compressor. The basic solution has been to apply ferro-magnetic radar absorbent material (RAM) to the compressor face and to the inlet duct walls, but this involves challenges. The researchers note: the material cannot be allowed to constrict airflow or impede the operation of anti-icing systems and must withstand high-speed airflows and temperatures up to 200ºC. The ITAE team has developed and tested coating materials that meet these standards. A layer of RAM between 0.7mm and 1.4mm thick is applied to the ducts and a 0.5mm coating is applied to the front stages of the low-pressure compressor, using a robotic spray system. The result is a 10-15dB reduction in the RCS contribution from the inlets.
The modified Su-35 also has a treated cockpit canopy which reflects radar waves, concealing the high RCS contribution from metal components in the cockpit. ITAE has developed a plasma-deposition process to deposit alternating layers of metallic and polymer materials, creating a coating that blocks radio-frequency waves, is resistant to cracking and crazing and does not trap solar heat in the cockpit. The plasma-coating process is then carried out robotically in a 22 m3 vacuum chamber.
ITAE and its partners have also developed plasma-type technology for applying ceramic coatings to the exhaust and afterburner. The conference video also showed the use of hand-held sprays to apply RAM to R-27 air-to-air missiles.
ITAE has studied at least three techniques for reducing the RCS contribution of the radar antenna, in addition to the simplest method of deflecting the antenna upwards and treating or shrouding other components. One of these is to design a radome that can be switched from RF-transparent to RF-reflective. The interior of the radome would be coated with a cadmium sulphide or cadmium selenide thin-film semiconductor material which changes conductivity when illuminated with visible or ultra-violet light.
A second technique that is also described in Western literature is to place a frequency selective surface screen in front of the antenna. This is a foil-like metal screen etched with small apertures which allow RF energy to pass within a narrow waveband, corresponding to the radar's own operating frequency. This reduces RCS, according to ITAE, but at the expense of radar performance.
And there are other reports that these RCS reduction techniques were exported to India for the Bison and Su-30 MKI programs as well. If the former is true, it would partly explain why even the AWACS during Cope II at KalaiKunda AFB had a hard time tracking the Bisons.
Please either you say India has developed or developing.......if you do not know DON'T BS here .Its interesting to note that India itself has either already developed/or is developing several of these technologies- RAM, treated cockpit canopies and Radio selective radomes.
What this means is that it could go be going it alone to reduce the RCS or that if it takes technology from the Russians, it could absorb it fairly quickly and apply it to its fleet.
To sum it up- I wouldnt think that the Indians would ignore the Sukhoi signature issue. Everything I have read so far indicates that they have done all they could to maximize the strengths of the Sukhoi airframe and minimize its weaknesses.
kEYSERSOZE,
I do understand you are mod here, I would be more than willing to rectify anything which you deemed " sneering undertones " but care to point out. I have seen ugly slug feast here, which gone unnoticed.
What exactly did I mentioned in my previos post, I asked him to backup his claim of RCS reduction measures supposed to have been in india for 4 years...........is it bad?
I asked him either he know whether India developed or developing ..no inbetween ...that is if he know...............is it tooo much to ask ?
Russia is supplying the RCS reduction technique.........when 4 years back or in the future.... can i know that from the Mr.Realiable source?
Do you see sillyness in this?????
My sillyness wouldl be to learn from your so called seniors like Joey, Adux and party