The French government has agreed full technology transfer to India which also includes a advanced AESA radar (RBE2-AA) and software source codes which will allow India to further experiment or advance the Rafale platform.

Dassualt has also offered to fit the Kaveri engine into the Rafale which is a Indian indigenous jet engine, which would boost the development of Indian HAL Tejas ingenious fighter. Dassault Aviation also has offered Rafale M which is a carrier variant of the fighter, although not in deal it would increase the increase Indian naval capabilities since India is developing it’s own aircraft carrier. Indian Air Force already operated the French made Dassualt Mirage 2000 which had been a very capable fighter. Dassault believes that integration of Rafale into the Indian Air Force will be smoother. IAF purchased 49 Mirage 2000s, including 42 single-seaters and 7 two-seaters in the 1980s. In 2004, the Indian government approved purchase of ten more Mirage 2000Hs, featuring improved avionics, particularly an upgraded RDM 7 radar.

The IAF named the Mirage the “Vajra”, loosely translated as “Thunderbolt”. India also purchased appropriate stores along with the fighters, including ATLIS II pods and laser-guided weapons.

There have been concerns of potential sales to Pakistan since it also expresses interest in the Rafale. However there have been no serious offers or discussions. India and France have recently agreed to “go beyond a buyer-seller relationship”.

Six companies had bid for the deal, Russian Mig-35, Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet, Swedish SAAB Grippen, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Super Viper, European Eurofighter and French Dassault Rafale. European Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale were shortlisted in April 2011.

On January 31st 2012, Dassault Rafale was announced the winner of the deal, there were immediate reactions to the decisions. Officials at the British High Commission in Delhi said they were disappointed with the decision and would now study the details. They added: “It was expressly said this was about the cost of the contract, not a reflection on the health of bilateral relations between India and the involved countries.”One Indian defence ministry source confirmed to Reuters that the Rafale had been “much cheaper unit-wise”, adding: “Moreover, the Indian air force, which is well-equipped with French fighters, is favoring the French.”

Saab produce four varieties of Gripen, the JAS 39A single-seater and JAS 39B two-seater trainer used by the Swedish Air Force, and the JAS 39C and JAS 39D export versions, which feature the same highly maneuverable design and powerful Volvo engines. The Gripen is a single-engine multirole fighter with delta wings and canards, and despite it having been introduced over 14 years ago, the latest incarnation features all the latest fly-by-wire technologies as sported by the more modern Eurofighter.

Specifications
While single-engined, the Gripen’s power plant, a Volvo RM12 turbofan, enables Mach 2 at all altitudes and makes it a lighter fighter compared to the twin-engined Eurofighter. The single-seater Gripen is just over 46 ft in length, the two-seater 48 ft, but both planes have a 27 ft wing span (including launchers) and has a maximum take-off weight of 15 tons, enabling over 11,600 lbs of payload.

With over 650 combat missions to its name, and almost 2,000 flight hours, the Gripen is a more tried and tested alternative to the Typhoon. The Volvo engine is an upgraded version of the General Electric F-404-400, which alone, has notched up several million flight hours of operations

The delta wing-canard design with relaxed stability provides the Gripen with high maneuverability and enables efficient takeoff and landings. The fuselage design is extremely low in drag, maximizing the Gripen’s range and payload capabilities. Although it doesn’t have reverse thrusters to aid engine braking like the Typhoon, the canards can act as air brakes. All versions of the Gripen come equipped with a single 27 mm Mauser, the same as the Eurofighter, although the Typhoon can carry a few thousand pound more in payload.

Features
Despite its 14-year operational age, the Gripen features al the latest fighter technologies, including a Triplex, flight control system, fully integrated avionic system and an efficient human-machine interface system to relieve the workload on the pilot in combat scenarios and maximize the aircraft’s weapon systems. The cockpit and display system has three large, full color displays and holographic combiner heads up display (HUD), and also features a compact, long-range, high-performance pulse Doppler radar, which can handle air-to-air and surface to air defense, as well as reconnaissance duties.

Operational Effectiveness
As with the Eurofighter, the Gripen is designed for modern multitask warfare with emphasis placed on high performance, flexibility and survivability. The initials JAS stand for Jakt (Fighter), Attack (Attack) and Spanning (Reconnaissance) defining its multipurpose role. However, the reason the Gripen is becoming favored over the more sophisticated and maneuverable Eurofighter is the low operational costs, up to 50% lower in most cases. The Gripen can operate with minimum maintenance personnel and ground support from the simplest of road bases. The Gripen also has in-flight refueling capabilities.

Besides the Swedish Air Force’s 204 operational Gripens, the Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces each have 14, Thailand a fleet of 12 and South Africa has ordered 26 aircraft. Even the United Kingdom, one of the main investors and customers of the Typhoon Eurofighter project has taken delivery of a number of Gripens as part of its fast jet training program at the Empire Test Pilots’ School, demonstrating the exceptional reputation the Gripen has acquired.

The drone appears to be much different from the dark grey one which was applied to the one that were photographed years ago at Kandahar airbase. The Iranian captured wears a sort of desert color scheme. Small scratches appear on the left wing, as if the stealthy drone crash landed, without extracting the landing gear, or maybe because the undercarriage collapsed due to hard landing. Many military aviation experts believed that the drone displayed was real and considering the small amount of details previously known, Iran could be able to create a mock up in such a short time. Due to lack of burn marks, holes, or outward damage it is most likely the Iranians have electronically hack into the system.

Analyzing the pictures of this highly classified captured drone can reveal much more about it, than previously known. Previously from the low quality images of that exist aviation experts argue stealth to be moderate, the side views of the aircraft show the belly fairing which looks like it houses an electro-optical/infrared sensor at the front. Now some experts are also on the opinion that a side looking AESA (Airborne Electronically Scanned Array) radar could be housed behind it, in the belly supporting all-weather, high resolution radar-imaging by Synthetic Aperture Radar processing. There’s still a mystery of the over-wing fairing about what is hidden beneath.

From the high-resolution photo of the craft, damage on the right wing looks like it was seriously damaged or even separated from the fuselage. The bottom of the airframe is carefully hidden because the drone may be seriously damaged as a consequence of the crash landing because the type of damage would be coherent with only a belly landing, without an extended undercarriage. Ultimately this would prove that the drone was not remotely controlled by Iranian operators that have been able to disrupt the satellite link and guide it to a safe landing. But a completely uncontrolled landing would have had more evident effects on the airframe. It is also most likely the Iranians were able to hacked it electronically.

At last there may be an explanation for the mysterious capture of the U.S. stealth drone by Iran. In an exclusive interview to the Christian Science Monitor an Iranian engineer working to reverse engineer the RQ-170 Sentinel hacked while it was flying over the northeastern Iranian city of Kashmar, says they were able to exploit a known vulnerability of the GPS. In other words the Iranian electronic warfare specialist disrupted the satellite link of the stealth drone and then reconfigured the drone’s GPS setting the coordinates to make it land in Iran at what the Sentinel thought it was its home base in Afghanistan.

International Security Assistance Forces acknowledged the loss of the unmanned plane, saying it had malfunctioned, Iran claimed that it was electronically hijacked the RQ-170 by overriding flight systems and steered it to the ground. The video shows Iranian military officials inspecting the RQ-170 Sentinel, which appears to be undamaged.

This created a opportunity for Russia and China to gain insight on one of the most sophisticated stealth planes in the world. This will allow them to identify, study, research and develop their own drones. In case of China, replicate these drones. They would particularly be interested in RQ-170 Sentinel’s stealth capabilities because United States was the pioneer in implementing this technology

The Americans are commenting very little on this incident. The RQ-170 Sentinel entered service in 2009 and was dubbed as “Beast of Kandahar” by some aviation analysts. United States use these stealth drones to make surveillance flights over Iran using bases in neighboring Afghanistan. The nature of the missions usual include to collect intelligence on Iranian nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has tried reportedly to summon the Swiss ambassador who is representing US interests in Iran, to condemn the violation of Iranian airspace. US accuses Iran of developing capabilities need to make atomic weapons which Iran denies and insists that it’s nuclear program is peaceful.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). It has been deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Beast of Kandahar, an aircraft, which was photographed in Afghanistan in 2007, is a surveillance aircraft, confirms US Air Force.  The US Air Force on 8th December confirmed for the first time that it is flying a stealth unmanned aircraft known as the “Beast of Kandahar,” a drone spotted in photos and shrouded in secrecy.

The video released by Iran shows a captured drone in good shape without a scratch under a Iranian flag. Under the drone is a defaced United States flag mocking the Americans on their mistakes. The video confirms the authenticity of our previous story and pictures.

Islamic Republic News Agency(IRNA) reported that Iranian Armed Forces brought down the drone by using advanced electronic jammers developed by Iranian defence industries. This could be alarming because other drones such as Predator and Reaper can also be brought down the similar manner. IRNA claimed that Iran’s armed forces with an appropriate control environment and control of military intelligence, electronic warfare and air defense units were successful with their actions of the UAV that the rape was limited to the border areas of the East, discovered and made to overthrow the invaders out of control.

These drones are designed to enter a holding pattern or even return home when link between the controller and the drone is broken or tampered. But these systems are not perfect.  In 2009 a Reaper was lost by the control and was shot down by the Air Force using a F-15.

“Militants in Iraq have used $26 off-the-shelf software to intercept live video feeds from U.S. Predator drones, potentially providing them with information they need to evade or monitor U.S. military operations,” the Wall Street Journal’s Siobhan Gorman, Yochi Dreazen and August Cole reported in December 2009. There also have been instances in Iraq wherein militants have hacked into the UAV communication network and have accessed cameras of surveillance drones.

This is the second time Iran claims to have shot a United States Air Force spy drone. It’s interesting that Iran has claimed UAV kills before, although never about the RQ-170.  In January, Iran claimed to shoot down two UAVs, and then claimed another UAV kill in July. Iran never provided pictures or videos to back up its claims.

Iran shot down the drone at a time when it is trying to contain foreign reaction to the storming of the British embassy in Tehran on Tuesday, shortly after London announced that  it would impose sanctions on Iran’s central bank in connection with Iran’s controversial nuclear enrichment program. Britain evacuated its diplomatic staff from Iran and expelled Iranian diplomats in London in retaliation, and several other European Union members recalled their ambassadors from Tehran.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). It has been deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Beast of Kandahar, an aircraft, which was photographed in Afghanistan in 2007, is a surveillance aircraft, confirms US Air Force.  The US Air Force on 8th December confirmed for the first time that it is flying a stealth unmanned aircraft known as the “Beast of Kandahar,” a drone spotted in photos and shrouded in secrecy.

In December 2009 there were also reports that the RQ-170 Sentinel had been test-flown in South Korea for the past few months and that it was expected that they would be permanently deployed in 2010 to replace Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft operating from Osan Air Base.

In 2006 Iran was able to spy on the US Aircraft Carrier Ronald Reagan using their own UAV for 25 Minutes without being discovered and returned to base to show the footage to the world and embarrass US capabilities. Seven aircraft were scrambled to intercept the drone but failed. Here is the footage of the incident.

However NAWVASS was the standard equipment on the loaned aircrafts. RAF wanted to upgrade these aircrafts with a new inertial navigation system Ferranti FIN 1024. Indian air force was invited to join the upgrade program and share the development costs. But the Indian air force was offered its export variant FIN 1024E which was inferior to those installed on RAF’s jaguar. This forced India to consider an indigenous upgrade program.

The upgrade program was named INDRA but was later changed to DARIN which stands for Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation. To manage this project, Inertial nav-attack system Integration Organization (IIO) was set up in Bangalore. The major sub system for DARIN were Sagem Inertial Platform, Smiths Industries HUD/WAC, Ferranti Combined Map & Electronics Display (COMED), Crouzet Air Data Package and SFIM Flight Test Instrumentation Package – all to be integrated using dual Mil 1553B standard Digital Data bus. The retrofitted Jaguars received IOC in 1984 and FOC a year later in 1985. Reliability of DARIN was far better than the old one. IIO also retrofitted six Jaguars with DARIN and Thomson CSF Agave radar for maritime attack, this variant was named as Jaguar IM.

A recent upgrade program called DARIN II was carried out to extend the operational life of Jaguars by another two decades. Improvements on avionic suit were carried out under this project. This upgrade included Sagem’s Ring-Laser gyro integrated with global positioning system (GPS), it provides position accuracy within 100 meters. Twin mission computers installed on DARIN II jaguars were developed by DRDO’s DARE (Defence Avionics Research Establishment). Smith’s HUD found on DARIN was replaced by Israeli Elbit HUD. A single liquid crystal multifunction display (MFD) and a new chaff dispenser were also added.

The latest upgrade program DARIN III has also been approved. In addition to new avionics and equipment installed as part of DARIN II upgrade, DARIN III would feature modified avionics architecture, new cockpit with dual SMD, Solid State Flight Data Recorder and Solid State Video Recording System, auto pilot system, integration of new multi-mode radar on Jaguar IS(currently only Jaguar IM are fitted with radars). Major structural modification would be carried out on the air frame to accommodate the radar. Initial Jaguars delivered to IAF were powered by two Adour 804E however further deliveries were powered by Adour Mk811. All the current Jaguars of IAF are powered by Adour Mk811. DARIN III upgrade will cause additional weight problems due to addition of new avionics and radar, resulting in it becoming underpowered.

Engine replacement for Jaguar is also in progress. The engine replacement program is not a part of DARIN III upgrades

The autonomous X-47B is the air vehicle for the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. It will be used in 2013 to demonstrate the first carrier landings and launches by a tailless, low-observable-relevant unmanned system. The fighter-sized aircraft features an innovative, GPS-based navigation and landing system that will enable it to land autonomously, with precision, on the moving deck of a Navy aircraft carrier.

Northrop Grumman is the Navy’s UCAS-D prime contractor. The company has built two X-47B aircraft to fulfill the demonstration objectives of the UCAS-D program, which is intended to reduce risk for potential unmanned systems operating in and around an aircraft carrier.

“The Navy/Northrop Grumman team is privileged to have a leading role in maturing and demonstrating technologies that will help speed the integration of unmanned systems into future carrier operations.” said Janis Pamiljans, vice president, Navy UCAS for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector.

In addition to the planned carrier launches and landings in 2013, added Pamiljans, the program will also demonstrate the ability of the X-47B to conduct autonomous aerial refueling operations in 2014.

The X-47B was designed by Northrop Grumman in San Diego and El Segundo, Calif., and assembled in Palmdale, Calif. The first air vehicle successfully completed its first flight Feb. 4 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The Navy/Northrop Grumman/U.S. Air Force UCAS-D integrated test team is currently conducting additional flights of that first X-47B to validate its airworthiness and in-flight performance. The aircraft is expected to transition to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., by the end of 2011 to begin land-based carrier suitability testing. The second X-47B aircraft is currently undergoing ground testing leading up to its first flight, which is expected to occur by the end of the third quarter.

The purpose of the UCAS-D carrier integration effort is to digitize the communications and navigation information flow to incorporate capabilities required for unmanned air system (UAS) flight operations aboard a carrier, with minimal impact to existing hardware, training and procedures.

The X-47B is a computer-controlled UAS that takes off, flies a pre-programmed mission, then returns to base in response to mouse clicks from its mission operator. The operator actively monitors the X-47B air vehicle’s operation and responds to air traffic control instructions, but does not “fly” it via a remote stick-and-throttle control the way some unmanned systems are currently operated.

Northrop Grumman’s UCAS-D joint industry team includes GKN Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Eaton, General Electric, Hamilton Sundstrand, Dell, Honeywell, Goodrich, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins.

The Russian Air Force plans to replace its Su-27s and MiG-31s by at least 200 Su PAK FAs initially starting 2013 (final tally may be around 450 as per a COST assumption). The Indian Air Force will also receive some 200 birds of the Su/HAL FGFA design, a mod of the PAK FA a la Su-30MKI. Also many more would be built for sales to allied third world air forces like Vietnam, Iran or even Venezuela.

The Tekhnokompleks Scientific and Production Center, Ramenskoye Instrument Building Design Bureau, the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design, the Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant (Yekaterinburg), the Polet firm (Nizhniy Novgorod) and the Central Scientific Research Radio Engineering Institute (Moscow) are responsible for the development of the avionics suite for the fifth-generation airplane. NPO Saturn has been determined the lead executor for work on the engines for this airplane. The Novosibirsk Chkalov Aviation Production Association (NAPO Chkalov) has begun construction of the fifth-generation multirole fighter. This work is being performed at Komsomol’sk-on-Amur together with Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association.

This represents the best set of aerospace firms in Russia and one of the best in the world. No doubt they intend to build the Sukhoi PAK FA as one of the best aerial platforms in the world.

Fifth generation fighters have advanced capabilities of stealth, super-maneuverability, sustained supersonic cruise and over-the-horizon radar visibility. They also have integrated weapons and navigation systems managed by artificial intelligence, and high-performance frames made from space-age materials. Though most of the specifications of the PAK FA are classified but experts believe that it will no doubt emerge potent on all above parameters. It is the world’s first fifth generation fighter incorporating 3-d thrust vectoring and a radar with artificial intellect. Composites are used excessively in its construction and provide high structural stability.

As the earlier fighters from the Sukhoi stable, the design will be both highly-maneuverable and agile. The sensor suite comprises of an Optical locating system located just in front of the cockpit, an additional IRST for ground attack, a large 1500 element AESA radar with artificial intelligence and additional L-band radars in the leading wing slats. The weapons designers have used a lifting body design with a large space between the engines. These accommodate two tandem weapon bays (4.5m*1m) that can accommodate a wide range of armaments suite as per the mission. Two auxiliary triangular weapon bays located at the sides of the main carriage and six external hard points supplement the main weapon bays. The design incorporates a few stealthy features like clean and faceted sides and internal weapons bays but is altogether not very stealthy.

In the days that followed its first test flight, a few experts claimed that the Sukhoi PAKFA was nothing more than a scaled up variant of the Su-27 family with little innovation included. They also said that since the fighter belonged to a family developed in 1980s, its relevance in the modern era is negligible. The design was not a true fifth generation fighter, rather it was a scooped up fourth generation fighter. This is certainly not true. The design incorporates many technical innovations that were previously not present in the Su-27 family like the stealth shaping, lifting body design and multiple sensors. The design fulfills all criteria that are essential for fifth generation fighters.

Many experts are also quick to claim that with an inferior sensor suite and a not-so stealthy design are evidences that it is not a fifth generation fighter. It will be easily shot down in battle by other fifth generation fighters before even opening fire or even detecting them. This too, is not true. The sensor suite, still under development, is the most potent on offer by the venerable Russian Defense Industry. The OLS, the IRST and the AESA will no doubt allow the Sukhoi to complete its missions with pin point accuracy. Coming to its additional radar suite, the L-band radars reflect the design principle of the Sukhoi PAK-FA. With the L-bands, agility,3-d vectors, twin 30mm cannons and R-74 missiles, the PAKFA is built to do just one thing-“To look-down, run-down, gun-down other 5-G designs in close quarters battle.”  Since most of current 5-G designs are aimed at fooling X-band radars, the L-bands come both as logical and literal next move for future air combat. It is unlikely that the F-35 Lightening II would even come close to that performance spectrum that the Sukhoi intends to offer. In a few critical aspects such as range and internal weapons load, it outguns even the doyen of today’s skies, the F-22 RAPTOR.

Stealth, it appears was the secondary objective the designers of the PAKFA. All over the plane, preferences have been given to aspects like maneuverability and lift devices over stealth. Some credit it to the plasma stealth generating device which was allegedly flight tested by a Su-27 in early 2000s. They say that since the device will surround the aircraft with a layer of plasma creating a effect similar to stealth shaping and decrease RCS, the shaping is rendered irrelevant, thus the preference to the other aspects. Others simply claim that it is Russian tendency to give stealth a second priority other combat. However the truth is yet to come out.

The fighter punches far above its own weight, but it remains to be seem if the Russian Industry and Air Force are able to deliver the platform on time, in quality and in quantity. Years of neglect have helped hone this design but it remains to be observed if the Russian Industry can produce the lots of it in time.

As stated above, the Sukhoi PAKFA is a competent aerial platform capable of standing toe-to-toe with the other designs with carving a niche of its own. Whatever problems may befall on it, it is rugged, reliable and Russian.

OHISS will include two systems, one for the UH- 60 based Cloud Characterization System; which will replace the current C-12 Airborne Cloud Measurement System, and the Cloud Generation System; which will replace the current 35 yearold U.S. Army HISS.  These new systems will provide a safer, more reliable flight test environment for evaluating de icing technologies. Small scale rain conditions can be created to provide a more controlled flight test environment for evaluating rain effects on critical aircraft surfaces, sensors and engine inlet.

Mark Zimmerman, President and CEO of Simplex Manufacturing, said the “new system will help aviation customers around the world to develop safer aircraft.” He went on to say “Battell’s selection of Simplex highlights the strength of our in house engineering team in new product development”.  Simplex will introduce several other new products over the next year according to Mr. Zimmerman. The new products will be in both the agricultural spray and fire attack industry segment.

Founded in 1946, Simplex has built a reputation as the leader in design, manufacturing, and certification of mission equipment for helicopters. Simplex maintains its industry leadership by incorporating the latest technology in design and manufacturing systems from high strength, low weight composite materials to produce cost effective systems for firefighting and other aerial application.

As soon as the aircraft entered Austrian air space from Switzerland, two Typhoons appeared on the left-hand side of President Pratibha Patil’s plane according to the report.

“Those inside the presidential aircraft started shooting the jets in frenzy. But, only with their mobile phones and cameras. The Eurofighter is one of the shortlisted contenders in the Indian MMRCA tender to purchase 126 “Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft”.

“After about two minutes, one of the jets suddenly pulled back and flew to the other side of the aircraft. Everyone was interested in getting the perfect shot of the plane which also opened its co-passenger shield as a mark of respect. The best view was just before landing as all three aircraft lost altitude and the jets were at arm’s length”.

The Austrian Bundesheer have a fleet of 15 Typhoon jets operating as an air surveillance wing from their home base in Zeltweg. The Wing, known as “Überwachungsgeschwader” has been active in recent air surveillance operations, putting the facilities and aircraft to the test.

The Eurofighters are one of the shortlisted contenders in the Indian MRCA tender to purchase 126 “Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft”. Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the worlds most advanced new generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft available on the market. With 707 aircraft ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), and in service with all nations, the aircraft is Europe’s largest military collaborative program. Eurofighter Typhoon is the only fighter to offer wide-ranging operational capabilities whilst at the same time delivering unparalleled fleet effectiveness.

The Typhoon and the Rafale were the ones the IAF shortlisted because they offer more in long term commitment in the form of technology and service this decision supersedes more over than petty technical details although IAF is looking for a platform which has true Multi-Role capabilities which include air to air missions, air to ground and air to sea as well. So the platform must be able to perform in the most adverse of conditions which includes searing heat at Rajasthan and humidity to the frost bitten cold of the Ladakh.

News Source: Time Of India
Picture by: Eurofighter GmbH