MMRCA 2.0 - Updates and Discussions

[Sancho]

https://www.stratpost.com/mmrca-2-0-rfp-pushed-to-2019/

incompetence continues.

Yes and now. Yes because the government still haven't figured out their own SPM, which delays things and creates uncertainty at vendors.
No, because we are going towards an election and not much might happen till then anyway, which most likely is then he whole idea of MMRCA 2.0.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

MISSION READY WITH LOW OPERATING COSTS

BUILT-IN SUPPORTABILITY

The Rafale supportability and mission readiness claims are supported by the undisputed track record of the earlier generation of French fighters, such as the combat-proven Mirage 2000.

From the early beginning of the development phase, the French MoD assigned very stringent “integrated logistic support” (ILS) requirements to the Rafale programme. “Computer aided design” (CAD) with the Dassault Systèmes CATIA software suite, concurrent engineering and bold technological choices ultimately produced an ILS system that exceeds the original supportability requirements.

© A. Jeuland Armée de l'air

RELIABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY

The following examples, selected from a range of unique and innovative features, demonstrate the advance in reliability, accessibility and maintainability brought by the Rafale:

Based on 20 years plus of experience gained on the Mirage 2000, integrated testability of the Weapon Delivery and Navigation System (WDNS) has proven itself. Accordingly, it has been decided on the Rafale to extend it to all aircraft systems. Thanks to accurate and comprehensive testability features, it allows targeted replacements to be made on the flight line, down to electronic circuit boards and specific components.

Human factors engineering work has been conducted with CATIA in order to ensure the accessibility of the components within aircraft bays, so that all flight line operations can be carried out by a single technician. Special attention has been paid to minimizing the duration of these operations and the occurrence of errors.

The centralized armament safety system makes all safety pins and last chance / end-of-runway actions unnecessary, minimizing the risk of errors and accidents, and contributing to achieve an unbeatable “turn around time” (TAT).

Precision manufacturing techniques together with the use of CATIA eliminate time-consuming boresighting procedures following cannon, head-up display (HUD) or radar exchanges.

The groundbreaking design of the M88 suppresses the requirement for a check on a dedicated engine test bench before reinstalling it back on the aircraft.

Deployments on forward operating bases, including austere airfields, have been made easier by keeping ground support equipment to a minimum :

• The Rafale is fitted with an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS) which suppresses the need for liquid oxygen re-filling. Ground support equipment for the production and transportation of oxygen is no longer required
• Optronics are cooled by a closed-loop nitrogen circuit, which negates the need for a dedicated nitrogen supply chain.
• The built-in auxiliary power unit (APU) makes engine start-up possible even when no ground power cart is available.
• All ground support equipment is compact and foldable in order to be easily transportable by air. It can be used without external power. And only two types of carriages and cradles are necessary to perform all armament loading / unloading.

All of these maintainability features were validated from the development phase by French Navy and Air Force support specialists, and have demonstrated their reliability in combat during various operations. This ease of maintenance means that technicians can be trained quickly: Rafale conversion training and aircraft support was organized for an export client within a matter of weeks, providing the client with the operating autonomy it needed to successfully deploy its fleet.

AN AFFORDABLE HIGH-TECH FIGHTER

Thanks to its outstanding reliability, the Rafale has lower maintenance costs.

The Rafale does not have to leave its operational base for maintenance purposes. Unlike on other types of fighter aircraft, the Rafale airframe and engine no longer require time-consuming and costly periodic depot-level inspections.

With more than 3,300 logged flight hours on Rafale “fleet leaders”, no structural parts have been changed, proving the robustness of the airframe and the maintenance concept.

A case in point is the modular M88 engine, made up of 21 modules: all maintenance and repair can be done by returning nothing more than modules or discrete parts to the depot or to the manufacturer. No balancing procedure and no run-up check are necessary before returning the engine to service.

Rafale M on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft © Dassault Aviation – S. Randé

Failure-prone systems have been eliminated early on in the design process:

• there is no airbrake
• the air intakes have no moving parts
• the ac generators do not have any constant speed drive (CSD)
• and the refuelling probe is fixed in order to avoid any deployment or retraction problem.

This results in reduced spares inventory, less man-hours and less ground support equipment.

Rafale deployments have confirmed that specialized infrastructures are unnecessary, even in cases of intensive use: maintenance can be performed outdoors or in a temporary shelter.

Another source of reduction of the required spares inventory comes from the constant standardisation approach during the design phase,

• The same part number is used at various locations on the airframe: this is made possible with precision airframe
• Manufacturing which allows to suppress fitting and boresighting operations when installing airframe components.
• Left-hand and right-hand parts are identical wherever applicable (i.e. foreplanes, FCS actuators).
• Miscellaneous parts such as screws and electronic modules have also been included into the standardisation effort.

The required spares inventory is further reduced by adapting the troubleshooting procedures to allow the exchange of electronic circuit boards within “line replaceable units” (LRUs), rather than exchanging the LRUs: this applies to the RBE2 radar, the SPECTRA EW suite, the MDPU mission computer and to other equipment as well.

Special attention has been paid to accessibility issues: for instance, the side-opening canopy facilitates the replacement of the ejection seat, so that two technicians can perform its removal in 10 minutes only.

NO HEAVY TEST EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED AROUND THE RAFALE ON THE FLIGHT LINE

All checks at this level can be run by maintenance technicians on the aircraft itself.

No test bench is needed for the M88 engine, a remarkable first in fighter aircraft maintenance.

Based on significant experience in corrosion protection for carrier-based aircraft (Super Etendard) and maritime patrol aircraft (Atlantic 1/ Atlantique 2), Dassault Aviation has developed new advanced corrosion protection processes which help drive down the cost of maintenance of the Rafale: corrosion issues discovered during maintenance being the perfect “show stopper” which exceeds spending targets and delays the return of aircraft to service in the most unpredictable way.

The Rafale, mission ready with low operating costs

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

The new TALIOS optronics nacelle has been qualified by the Directorate General of Armaments.

Since the Direction générale de l'armement[DGA] recently qualified the new F3-R standard for the Rafale, the same could be expected for the TALIOS multifunction optronics nacelle, developed by Thales. This was confirmed by the electronics engineer in a press release issued on 19 November.

Indeed, this optronics pod, formerly known as the "new generation laser designation pod"[PDL NG] is an essential element of the Rafale F3-R. It features high-resolution electro-optical and infrared sensors, line of sight stabilization and high-performance image processing, which provide air-to-air identification and close air support capabilities day and night, enabling long-range deep strikes to be made.

The TALIOS nacelle also has "non-traditional information, surveillance and recognition" (NTISR) capabilities. In other words, it allows both strike and reconnaissance missions to be carried out, while transmitting the information collected in real time, which will facilitate interactions between the crew of a Rafale and ground troops.

According to Thales, the "nacelle support system" was also qualified. It "includes a fleet management and predictive maintenance solution (SmartFleet), to prevent the occurrence of potential breakdowns on mission and increase fleet availability, and an innovative transport solution for the deployment of equipment under the aircraft without any other means," explains the manufacturer.

The first deliveries of the first version of these TALIOS nacelles to the Air Force and the French Navy are scheduled to begin by the end of 2018, and will continue until 2022. A total of 45 must have been delivered by then.

"The increase in the number of new generation pods is welcome. Indeed, among the three types of pods currently in service, only the DAMOCLES pod gives satisfaction in operation. The other two - the ATLIS pod and the thermal camera laser designation pod[PDL CTS], carried under Mirage 2000D, have a limited level of performance that does not meet the requirements required by our allies in international coalitions," notes Jean-Jacques Ferrara, MP, draftsman of the opinion on the funds allocated to the French Air Force for 2019.

Nevertheless, the deputy wondered how many of these TALIOS nacelles would be put into service. "In 2025, the air force will have 79 pods, compared to 67 today. Given the low availability of this equipment, it is to be feared that it will not be able to meet the future needs of the Air Force," he said.

"It should be recalled that the overall availability rate of laser designation pods is 54% in the first half of 2018, whereas their number had been set taking into account a theoretical availability target, announced by the manufacturer, of 75%. This low availability rate is explained, on the one hand, by the fact that the fleet of ATLIS and PDL-CTS pods, which is rather ageing, is affected by long-term obsolescence, while, on the other hand, the current level of operational commitment leads to an intensive use of DAMOCLES pods and an increase in breakdowns due to the abrasive climatic conditions encountered in the Sahel and the Levant," the MP stressed.

However, in its press release, Thales also indicated that the TALIOS nacelle continues its "evolution", with the development of an advanced SRI[intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, editor's note] function "combining recognition modes and algorithms for automatic target detection and recognition", thanks to artificial intelligence.

"Artificial Intelligence will allow advances to be made in the service of humans, but under no circumstances to the detriment or replacement of the latter, who must be able to act by himself at decisive moments," assures the manufacturer, according to which "other functions under development will also provide significant assistance to crews, such as high definition colour imaging and the "Permanent Vision" function of the nacelle, which presents a real-time image superimposed on a 3D mapping of the environment. »

La nouvelle nacelle optronique TALIOS a été qualifiée par la Direction générale de l’armement

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

RAFALE: PRESENTATION

Over the last decades, air forces have always been the first military component engaged in all crises or conflicts, from the Falklands to the Gulf, from Bosnia to Kosovo, from Afghanistan to Libya, and more recently Mali, the Central African Republic, Iraq and Syria.

Military aviation is undoubtedly the most strategic weapon today, both in terms of combat effectiveness and of critical technologies implemented.

In modern warfare, air dominance from day one is a must, so that air-to-ground and air-to-sea operations can be conducted safely and efficiently.

In the course of asymmetrical and counter-insurgency conflicts, the air arm also remains at the forefront of the military effort, its flexibility and firing power helping ensure that allied forces prevail.

The September 11 events have shown that, in peacetime, it is essential to secure the national airspace with easily deployable control and air defense assets.

The decisive place of the air component in modern warfare is demonstrated by the defense strategies decided by those nations who want to keep a leading role on the world stage.

The Rafale, with its “Omnirole” capabilities, is the right answer to the capability approach selected by an increasing number of governments.

It fully complies with the requirement to carry out the widest range of roles with the smallest number of aircraft.

The Rafale participates in permanent “Quick Reaction Alert” (QRA) / air-defense / air sovereignty missions, power projection and deployments for external missions, deep strike missions, air support for ground forces, reconnaissance missions, pilot training sorties and nuclear deterrence duties.

The Air Force single-seat Rafale C, the Air Force two-seat Rafale B, and the Navy single-seat Rafale M feature maximum airframe and equipment commonality, and very similar mission capabilities.

Lessons learned from the latest conflicts where air power was used, can be summarized into four overarching expectations about weapon systems by political decision makers:

• Versatility, that is the capability, with the same system, to perform different missions,
• Interoperability, or the ability to fight in coalition with the allies, using common procedures and standards agreements, and collaborating and communicating in real-time with other systems,
• Flexibility, which can be illustrated by the ability to conduct several different missions in the course of the same sortie (“Omnirole“capability). With this capability, it is possible to switch instantly on the demand of a political decision maker, from a coercion mission (“strike force”) to a preventive mission (a dissuasive low-altitude, high-speed “show of force”), or even to cancel a mission until the last second (reversibility),
• Survivability, that is the capability to survive in a dense threat environment thanks to stealthiness and / or to advanced electronic warfare systems.

The “Omnirole” Rafale combines all these advantages: it is relevant against both traditional and asymmetrical threats, it addresses the emerging needs of the armed forces in a changing geopolitical context, and it remains at the forefront of technical innovation.

Thanks to its versatility, its adaptability and its ability to meet all air mission requirements, the Rafale is the “poster child” transformational fighter which provides a way forward to air forces confronted to the requirement of doing “more” with “less”, in an ever-changing strategic and economic environment.

Of a moderate size, yet extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discrete, the latest type of combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation does not only integrate the largest and most modern range of sensors, it also multiplies their efficiency with a technological breakthrough, the “multi-sensor data fusion”.

The Rafale, the latest Dassault Aviation combat aircraft: introduction

 

[Bon Plan]

double.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

OMNIROLE BY DESIGN

When the Rafale programme was launched, the French Air Force and French Navy published a joint requirement for an omnirole aircraft that would have to replace the seven types of combat aircraft then in operation.

The new aircraft would have to be able to carry out a very wide range of missions:

• Air-defense / air-superiority,
• Anti-Access/Aera Denial,
• Reconnaissance,
• Close air support,
• Dynamic Targeting,
• Air-to-ground precision strike / interdiction,
• Anti-ship attacks,
• Nuclear deterrence,
• buddy-buddy refuelling.

These requirements were taken into account from the start of the Rafale’s development, leading engineers to invent an aircraft which goes beyond the needs of each type of mission.

Versatile and best in all categories of missions, the Rafale is a true “Force Multiplier”.

The Rafale has exhibited a remarkable survivability rate during the latest French Air Force and Navy operations, thanks to an optimized airframe and to a wide range of smart and discrete sensors. It is slated to be the French armed forces prime combat aircraft until 2050 at least.

https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/defense/rafale/omnirole-by-design/

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

A FULLY OPTIMIZED AIRFRAME

The Rafale, a fully “Omnirole” fighter, is available in three variants:

• the Rafale C single-seater operated from land bases,
• the Rafale M single-seater for carrier operations,
• the Rafale B two-seater flown from land bases.

All three variants share a common airframe and a common mission system, the differences between naval and land versions being mainly limited to the undercarriage and to the arresting hook.

© Anthony Pecchi

AIRFRAME – MATERIALS – FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

The Rafale features a delta wing with close-coupled canards. In-house research in computational fluid dynamics has shown the specific benefits of close coupling between the wings and the canards: it ensures a wide range of centre of gravity positions for all flight conditions, as well as excellent handling throughout the whole flight envelope.

The close-coupled canards / delta wing configuration is key to the combat performance of the Rafale: even at high angle-of-attack, it remains fully agile, and its range performance in strike missions with heavy weapon loads is unmatched for such a compact design.

An advanced digital “Fly-by-Wire” (FBW) Flight Control System (FCS) provides for longitudinal stability and superior handling performance. The FCS is quadruple redundant with three digital channels and one separately designed analogue channel, with no mechanical back-up: design independence between channels is key to avoiding simultaneous anomalies on all channels.

The Flight Control System of the Rafale attains the highest level of flight safety by leveraging on the extensive experience of Dassault Aviation in Fly-by-Wire technology: over one million flight hours without a single accident caused by the FCS.

The Rafale is safe and easy to fly in all flight regimes, featuring the same precise, yet benign handling performance in all load-out configurations throughout the flight envelope.

The flight control system of the Rafale offers auto flight in terrain following mode in all weather conditions, allowing the Rafale to fly unobserved in the opponent’s airspace: an important survivability factor in a high threat environment.

The radar cross section of the airframe has been kept to the lowest possible value by selecting the most adequate outer mold line and materials. Most of the stealth design features are classified, but some of them are clearly visible, such as the serrated patterns on the trailing edge of the wings and canards.

Dassault Aviation has long been recognized for designing sturdy airframes that sustain over 30 years of operation without heavy structural upgrades.

Thanks to the Dassault Aviation unique know-how in finite element modeling, the Rafale airframe fatigue is monitored with the same gauge-free concept which has proved its worth on the Mirage 2000 fleet.

Composite materials are extensively used in the Rafale and they account for 70% of the wetted area. They also account for the 40% increase in the max take-off weight to empty weight ratio compared with traditional airframes built of aluminium and titanium.

© A. Jeuland French Air Force

THE M88 – A NEW GENERATION ENGINE

The M88-2 is a new-generation turbofan engine offering a high thrust-to-weight ratio with easy maintainability, high despatch reliability and lower operating costs.

The M88-2 incorporates advanced technologies such as integrally bladed compressor disks (“blisks”), a low-pollution combustor with smoke-free emissions, single-crystal high-pressure turbine blades, ceramic coatings, and composite materials.

The M88-2 power plant is rated at 10,971 lbs dry and 16,620 lbs with afterburner. It is equipped with redundant “Full Authority Digital Engine Control” (FADEC), which provides for carefree engine handling anywhere in the flight envelope: the throttle can be slammed from combat power to idle and back to combat power again, with less than three seconds from idle to full afterburner.

Launched in 2008, the M88 TCO (“Total Cost of Ownership”) programme was initiated to further improve engine durability and bring support costs down. Capitalizing on the ECO project, Safran Aircraft Engines was able to upgrade the high-pressure compressor and the high-pressure turbine of the M88-2: cooling is ameliorated and stronger components have been introduced, boosting durability by up to 50%. Life expectancy between overhaul has been considerably expanded for a number of modules, helping further minimise the impact of planned maintenance on engine availability.

The M88 is the subject of a constant improvement effort by Safran Aircraft Engines, leading to the latest M88-4E version, which builds on the TCO programme. This version, which offers a longer engine life, is now fully operational. Production deliveries began in 2012, and Rafale aircraft now comes out of the production line fitted with M88-4Es.

The Rafale, a fully optimized airframe

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

A WIDE RANGE OF SMART AND DISCRETE SENSORS

RBE2 / AESA – “ACTIVE ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ARRAY” RADAR

The Rafale is the first operational – and so far, the only – European combat aircraft to use an electronic scanning radar. Developed by Thales, the RBE2 radar has benefited from a massive research effort and from Thales’ unmatched know-how based on past experience. Compared to radars with conventional antennas, unprecedented levels of situational awareness are attained with earlier detection and tracking of multiple targets.

With its superior beam agility and its enormous computing power, the RBE2 offers outstanding performance that cannot be replicated by mechanical scanning radars.

In October 2012, the first Rafale fighter equipped with an “Active Electronically Scanned Array” (AESA) RBE2 radar was delivered to the French MoD. The AESA provides a wide range of functions:

• All-aspect look-up and look-down detection and tracking of multiple air targets for close combat and long-range interception, in all weather and in severe jamming environments,
• Ability to track targets in, or out of the search domain, bringing the ultimate advantage in air combat,
• Real time generation of three-dimensional maps for terrain-following above uncharted terrain in blind conditions. The Rafale is the sole new generation combat aircraft to currently propose such a function,
• Real time generation of high resolution 2D ground maps for navigation updates and detection, identification and designation of ground targets,
• Detection and tracking of multiple naval targets.

The RBE2-AESA is fully compatible in terms of detection range with the upcoming long range METEOR air-to-air missile. The AESA offers an unprecedented growth-potential for the future.

© Dassault Aviation – A. Février

In those situations where discretion becomes the single most important tactical factor, the Rafale can rely on several other sensor systems:

FRONT SECTOR OPTRONICS – FSO

Developed by Thales, the “Front Sector Optronics” (FSO) system is fully integrated into the aircraft. Operating in the optronic wavelengths, it is immune to radar jamming and it provides covert long-range detection and identification, high resolution angular tracking and laser range-finding for air, sea and ground targets.

The FSO’s powerful TV sensor (cued by the Rafale’s active and passive sensors) is truly valuable to positively identify targets in situations where a visual contact is required by the rules of engagement.

SPECTRA – INTERNAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUITE

Jointly developed by Thales and MBDA, the SPECTRA internal “Electronic Warfare” (EW) system is the cornerstone of the Rafale’s outstanding survivability against the latest airborne and ground threats.

It is fully integrated with other systems in the aircraft, and it provides a multi-spectral threat warning capability against hostile radars, missiles and lasers.

The SPECTRA system carries out reliable long-range detection, identification and localisation of threats, allowing the pilot to instantly select the most effective defensive measures based on combinations of radar jamming, infrared or radar decoying and evasive manoeuvres.

The angular localisation performance of the SPECTRA sensors makes it possible to accurately locate ground threats in order to avoid them, or to target them for destruction with precision guided munitions.

The outstanding capability of SPECTRA regarding airborne threat localisation, is one of the keys of the Rafale’s superior situational awareness.

Also instrumental in SPECTRA’s performance is a threat library that can be easily defined, integrated and updated on short notice by users in their own country, and in full autonomy.

SPECTRA now includes a new generation missile warning system that offers increased detection performance against the latest threats.

© Defence/French Navy/L.Bernardin
​

NET-CENTRIC CAPABILITY

The net-centric capability of the Rafale hinges on its open architecture, its data fusion software and its compatibility with a variety of data links, which “plug” the Rafale into the integrated battlespace.

A secure high-rate data link is provided to share data in combined air operations in real time with other aircraft in the formation, airborne and surface command and control centres, tactical air controllers or other friendly assets. The Link 16 data link is also available to those customers cleared to operate it.

As a net-centric capable asset, the Rafale can exchange images. The Rover (“Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver”) is an element of this capability which allows aircrews and forward air controllers on the ground to share videos or images of the target. It helps prevent blue-on-blue incidents and collateral damage, a decisive advantage in peacekeeping operations.

The Rafale’s interoperability, as part of a multinational operation, has been demonstrated on countless occasions, and Link 16 as well as non-NATO solutions can be provided to meet various customers’ requirements.

TALIOS – TARGETING AND LASER DESIGNATION POD

The new Talios targeting and laser designator pod designed by Thales, brings full day and night surveillance and laser designation capability to the Rafale, with metric precision. It permits laser-guided weapons to be delivered at stand-off range and altitude.

The IR sensor of the Talios pod operates in the mid-wave infrared band and is coupled to a high-resolution new generation TV sensor.

Talios is interoperable with all existing laser-guided weapons.

AREOS – RECCE POD WITH QUICK ANALYSIS CAPABILITY

For both strategic and tactical reconnaissance missions, the French Armed Forces have adopted the new generation Thales AREOS reconnaissance system for the Rafale.

As demonstrated in Libya, Mali, the Central African Republic, Iraq and Syria, this high-tech, day and night equipment can be used in a wide range of scenarios, at stand-off distances, from high to low altitudes.

To shorten the intelligence gathering cycle and accelerate the tempo of operations, the AREOS pod is fitted with a data link which allows high resolution images to be transmitted back to military decision makers in real time.

The outstanding performance of AREOS in stand-off reconnaissance makes it a sensor with a true pre-strategic value.

The Rafale carries a wide range of smart and discrete sensors

 

[vstol Jockey]

It seems DA is reading my posts with lot of seriousness. Long back I had suggested that I will rather go for a V-Tail for LCA than canards or Levcons as that will allow me to increase the flap angle for landing resulting in reduction in landing speed plus it will help me control the CG more effectively without further deteriorating the aspect ratio.
I read some where that DA now proposes to have a similar arrangement for next Rafale tranche. They are working on V-Tail for Rafale for precisely the reasons stated above by me.

 

[randomradio]

It seems DA is reading my posts with lot of seriousness. Long back I had suggested that I will rather go for a V-Tail for LCA than canards or Levcons as that will allow me to increase the flap angle for landing resulting in reduction in landing speed plus it will help me control the CG more effectively without further deteriorating the aspect ratio.
I read some where that DA now proposes to have a similar arrangement for next Rafale tranche. They are working on V-Tail for Rafale for precisely the reasons stated above by me.

Pretty old study done by Dassault actually.

 

[vstol Jockey]

Pretty old study done by Dassault actually.

Even I have been posting about such a config change for LCA for over four years.

 

[randomradio]

Even I have been posting about such a config change for LCA for over four years.

I was hoping to see V tails with the canards for LCA Mk2, but it didn't happen. I don't think they want the complexity of dealing with 2 rudders for such a small jet.

 

[Sancho]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1066999525644980225

https://twitter.com/x/status/1067027921204842496

New EW equipment installed =>

It's interesting to compare the EW not only to SPECTRA, or Pretorian, but also to the ISE EW changes on Indian Rafales that we know so far (additional RWR, VLBA, TD).

 

[_Anonymous_]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1066999525644980225

https://twitter.com/x/status/1067027921204842496

New EW equipment installed =>

View attachment 3687

View attachment 3688


It's interesting to compare the EW not only to SPECTRA, or Pretorian, but also to the ISE EW changes on Indian Rafales that we know so far (additional RWR, VLBA, TD).

Bit off topic, but I thought the Gripen E would be a slight improvement over the LCA - Mk2 / MCA , inspite of the fact that the latter would materialize close to a decade later. Depressingly, This info here seems to suggest otherwise. Your views?

 

[Sancho]

Bit off topic, but I thought the Gripen E would be a slight improvement over the LCA - Mk2 / MCA , inspite of the fact that the latter would materialize close to a decade later. Depressingly, This info here seems to suggest otherwise. Your views?

Back in 2008-2011 during MMRCA 1.0, I argued with Gripen fans too, that LCA MK2 could be close enough to a Gripen E, to be good for Indian needs. Today I know the reality, because Gripen E was not only developed pretty much according to the time lines (while LCA MK2 development failed so far, which made the the MK1A stop gap necessary), but it also got much more capable than initially planned (largely thx to Brazil selecting and participating in the development of Gripen E).

The one competes with the most advanced fighters in the world, the other remains a paper plane. So I am happy if we achieve FOC and take that as an achievement, but don't put my hopes on ADA/DRDO anymore.

 

[randomradio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1066999525644980225

https://twitter.com/x/status/1067027921204842496

New EW equipment installed =>

View attachment 3687

View attachment 3688


It's interesting to compare the EW not only to SPECTRA, or Pretorian, but also to the ISE EW changes on Indian Rafales that we know so far (additional RWR, VLBA, TD).

Doesn't look like it's capable of active cancellation though.

What do you say, @Picdelamirand-oil?

 

[randomradio]

Bit off topic, but I thought the Gripen E would be a slight improvement over the LCA - Mk2 / MCA , inspite of the fact that the latter would materialize close to a decade later. Depressingly, This info here seems to suggest otherwise. Your views?

Both are more or less the same now. MCA will be a Desi Gripen.

Anyway, if we go by advertised IOC dates, then Gripen's is in 2021 and MCA's is in 2025. So it's not a decade later. Different story that Saab can stick to the dates they announced.

 

[Sancho]

Doesn't look like it's capable of active cancellation though.

=>

Gripen E to feature next-generation electronic warfare capability
Reuben F Johnson, Linkoping - Jane's Defence Weekly
12 May 2017

...One of the standout improvements is the Gripen E's electronic warfare (EW) system, which takes advantage of the aircraft's fully-digital architecture. This and the more powerful jammer-emitter capability, which is made possible by the integrated set of jamming transmitters, radar warning receivers, and the Selex AESA radar set, make for a more powerful EW profile.

"The configuration of the EW system for the Gripen E allows you to focus the jamming signal in a narrower band, so the signal itself is stronger and directed at an individual specific threat," said one of the Gripen test pilots. The previous EW system produced a broader frequency band signal, which was designed to counter several threats at once.

The Gripen E's new EW system uses three types of signal generators to obscure the existence of the aircraft or cause confusion about its location and/or existence so that an adversary cannot choose a proper firing solution. The three types of signal generators are Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM), Doppler, and Noise. DRFM emulates the signal of the radar that makes contact with the aircraft and then mirrors it back so that it appears to the operator on the other side that the radar has encountered nothing.

http://www.janes.com/article/70320/gripen-e-to-feature-next-generation-electronic-warfare-capability

Anyway, if we go by advertised IOC dates, then Gripen's is in 2021 and MCA's is in 2025.

=>

New-generation Prototype Leads Gripen Renaissance
by David Donald
Jun 17, 2017

...Gripen Evolution
Throughout its life the Gripen system has been updated through a series of iterative upgrades as part of the MS (material system) program. The first Gripen E (aircraft 39-8) is intended for air vehicle and structural tests, and is flying with a version of the current Gripen C/D’s MS20 software, along with test instrumentation in the cockpit. For now, many of the aircraft’s intended mission systems are being tested in the Gripen Demo technology demonstrator (aircraft 39-7), but the two subsequent trials aircraft (39-9 and 39-10) will take on system development work.

First deliveries of production aircraft are due in 2019. Initial aircraft for Sweden will have the MS21 software load that provides a basic air-to-air fighter capability, but by the end of 2023 the first true multi-role squadron with the full-specification MS22 software is scheduled to become operational. The Swedish air force plans to have all six of its fighter squadrons operating 60 Gripen Es with MS22 by 2026. ...

New-generation Prototype Leads Gripen Renaissance

Gripen E IOC for Brazil in 2019, FOC in 2023, Swedish Air Force get their fighters later. It's available before LCA MK1A now and years ahead of a certified MK2.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

What do you say, @Picdelamirand-oil?

In general I prefer the original to the copy.

 

[randomradio]

=>


http://www.janes.com/article/70320/gripen-e-to-feature-next-generation-electronic-warfare-capability

What's been explained in the link is standard ECM capability. That's not active cancellation.

All the antenna placements do not attest to the fact that it can perform active cancellation. Compare with Rafale.

Gripen E IOC for Brazil in 2019, FOC in 2023, Swedish Air Force get their fighters later. It's available before LCA MK1A now and years ahead of a certified MK2.

The Brazilian IOC is not exactly the same as the Gripen E's actual IOC. You can see the F-35 program for the same.

The third prototype is expected to be the IOC standard and will fly only in 2019.
Saab Pushes For Year-end First Flight of Latest Gripen
The third test aircraft is to join the test fleet in 2019 with a representative IOC (initial operating capability) fit and software load, known as MS (mission system) 21. Saab is also working on the follow-on MS22, which adds greater functionality.