timepass
Brigadier
Plus 3 for Nigeria too ...
JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
Plus 3 for Nigeria too ...
Yea, they've been saying assembly has started for a while.
But clearly something isn't being 'assembled' fast enough.
This is starting to get annoying... 2019 is almost over and no test flight.
Is the delay due to AESA selection or powerplant? Or is there something else entirely?
The IAF is getting Rafales and we need to start training with AESAs asap, to develop tactics around it.
timepass
Brigadier
What you mentioned above (bold) are the main reasons for the delay along with the integration of PL10s & PL15s...
I have a slight suspicion that block three would have come out sooner and less capable a year or so ago according to the older development roadmap but since Pakistan realised India's expedited acquisition of the latest and most capable Rafale with Meteor, they expanded block three's capability profiles. PAF may get block three with P-15 and P-10 integration. HMD and AESA are both givens at this point. Maybe a better WS-13 rather than RD-93?
Under these surface changes surely there are upgrades to software and electronic equipment too. If PAF can get block three thunders high and fast, making good use of its new radar and missile reach, it would really balance out the 36 Rafales IAF will eventually receive. I don't really buy into the magic button effectiveness of Rafale's "electronic stealth" and EW suite. If it is truly a challenge to PAF, China will not leave Pakistan at any clear disadvantages and will surely offer/provide counters to any Indian "stealth fighters".
Under these surface changes surely there are upgrades to software and electronic equipment too. If PAF can get block three thunders high and fast, making good use of its new radar and missile reach, it would really balance out the 36 Rafales IAF will eventually receive. I don't really buy into the magic button effectiveness of Rafale's "electronic stealth" and EW suite. If it is truly a challenge to PAF, China will not leave Pakistan at any clear disadvantages and will surely offer/provide counters to any Indian "stealth fighters".
Brumby
Major
Weapons integration is a sequential process in that you need to have a Block 3 platform built with the sensors before you can start integration work. AFAIK, a Block 3 platform does not exist. Weapons integration is a long development process. In the case of the Meteor with the Typhoon, it took 12 years with the UK Typhoon as it just went ISD last year. I am not suggesting that it will take as long with the PL-15 but it is not like making sausages that you can turn it around overnight. .
timepass
Brigadier
PL10s already integrated on BLK-IIs while there are rumors for PL15s integration (questionable) with BLK-II hence PL10/15 integration should not take that long.
Brumby
Major
Unfortunately weapons integration does not work as you have suggested. If Block 2 and Block 3 are similar in terms of avionics and senors, why bother to go with Block 3? Weapons integration are primarily about marrying the weapons to the new sensors and avionics. Whatever integration work with Block 2 will not primarily be relevant.
timepass
Brigadier
The concept of BLK-III is to bring this baby as near as possible to J10Cs/J16s to face MKIs or Rafales in terms of sensors/avionics/radars, hence weapons integration (PL10/15) are not going to be an issue as the systems are already tested on J10Cs/J16s.
And proof of this is??