F-22 Invincible, Maybe not?

[srev2004]

Bye Bye F-22, THE INVISIBLE BECOMES VISIBLE?

As you well know superior USA government - leader of the "free" world has canceled the F-22 air "superiority" fighter program.

The main reason for that is a new very sophisticated Russian radar, which unexpectedly appeared on the market, and which will make F-117, F-22, B-2 radar signature as large as that of Boeing 737!

A miniature version of this RADAR was briefly tested in Yugoslavia. It was quite successful "field trial". One trial - one US stealth warplane down.

To me it is yet another evidence of superior Russian brainpower!

The new radar boasts one principal plus: its ability to function in the meter-wave band makes it invulnerable to homing and anti-radar missiles effective in other wave-bands. Secondly, the radar can detect so-called "invisible" aircraft, including STEALTH technology planes, F-22, F-117A, B-2 etc.

These radars are manufactured by Nizhni Novgorod Plant.

It is interesting to note that throughout its 78 year-long history, Nizhni Novgorod "Television" Plant has never kept a low profile, despite the fact that nearly 80% of the hardware it produced was ordered by the military.
Contrary to usual procedures, this enterprise always had fairly famous names. The names changed, as did production. Whereas in Spring 1917, the Electrotechnical Works (the plant's first name) commemorated its birthday by producing military field and outpost telephone versions for the warring army, now the plant specializes in the production of unique meter-wave radar sets.

The latest novelties, the radar sets, types 55Zh6-1 and 1L13-3, were shown twice, in 1992 and 1993, at Nizhni Novgorod

International Fair and at MOSAEROSHOW exhibition in Moscow. They attracted the interest of experts at the recent exhibition of weaponry in Abu-Dhabi.

Times have changed and now the plant can openly demonstrate its
weaponry and offer it for sale. Now, let us consider the specifics of the radars, which impressed the specialists, both Russian and foreign, and led them to be frequent guests at the plant ever since. The 55Zh6-1 is a high tech, ground-based, three-coordinate circular scanner set operating in the meter-wave band.

It detects current (and future) airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles,
balloons and other air objects in the Diagram depicting the operation of
55Zh6-1 and 1L13-3 meter-wave radarface of the most intensive clutter
and electronic countermeasures.

Both radar function in the meter-wave band makes it invulnerable to homing and antiradar missiles effective in other wavebands. Secondly, the radar can detect so-called "invisible" aircraft, including STEALTH technology planes. Indeed, this aircraft's invisibility is based on its special shape, which produces an extremely small signal return. In the meter-wave band used in radar technology, an aircraft's size is commensurate with wavelength, and its shape is no longer important. The "invisibility" of such aircraft is also due to their radio-absorbent coating.

However, to attain a marked decrease in "visibility" in the meter-wave band, one must ensure a substantial increase in the thickness of the "smearing".

This inevitably ends up with a greater mass of the aircraft and, consequently, a degradation in its flying characteristics.

The radar reveals its reliability in all meteorological conditions. It ensures fail-proof performance at minus 50 °C and can withstand almost unlimited heat.

Environmental humidity doesn't affect its performance. An apparently cumbersome antenna mast retains its serviceability under conditions of an ice-slick and 35 m/s wind.

The radar reveals good mobility. Its structures, devices and mechanisms are arranged on eight semi-trailers towed by trucks and can be moved by rail, air and water. It can be set up by a crew within less than 24 hours (22 hours, to be precise) without preliminary training, by merely looking in the manual. After turning on the power, it is operational within seconds.

The radar may be controlled equally well from the radar post located in the van and a remote control station equipped with seats for the commander (or operations duty officer), guidance navigator and operator. The remote
station contains radar control equipment and three indicators. It uses a cable link and is effective at a distance of 1km from the radar. In addition, it allows connection of another similar radar.

The radar displays target position in a three coordinate system.
Its coverage is 500 km in range, 40 km in height (16 deg. in
elevation) and is unlimited in azimuth. The guaranteed detection
ranges for a fighter flying at altitudes of 10,000 m and 20,000 m
are 300 km and 400 km, respectively; the targets flying at an
altitude of 500 m can be detected with confidence at a distance
of at least 65 km. It has a fighter detection ceiling of 60 km. As
well as the numerous indisputable advantages of the meter-wave
band, the radar also preserves a coordinate measuring accuracy.
The rms errors do not exceed 500 m in range, 850 m in height
and 24 in azimuth.

The electronic altimeter determines target elevation as well as range and azimuth, and also ensures a fairly high rate of output of the coordinates in two modes: in semi-automatic mode, when the operator singles out the targets for tracking, and in automatic mode - the coordinates of the locked-on targets are produced by a special computer. By sending an interrogation radio signal via the "Parol" (password) IFF system, the target can be identified to establish its national status.

It also provides for an air situation simulator, which displays the picture on an indicator screen without emitting radio pulses.

This is extremely useful during the training of radar crews. It also comprises a built-in functional test and diagnostics system. Information can be obtained on full readiness of the radar for operation or location of a trouble within the shortest possible time. As the equipment is built of units and the optimum number of spares is furnished with a set of spare parts and accessories, the location and replacement of the faulty component do not affect, for all practical purposes, the promptness of the crew's actions.

The radar may be supplied with electrical power from industrial mains. If
such a power source is not available, it can be powered by a self-contained power supply system, consisting of two Diesel-driven power plants (four 100-kW and three 50-kW Diesel-generator sets, including the reserve ones) and a distributor-converter. The self-contained system is energized and controlled from the radar post.

The radar's designers took into account safety and life-support systems
and ensured that comfortable conditions were provided for the crew. The
hermetic sealing of the work stations and equipment used to clean the outside air provide reliable protection for the crew against the ingress of the chemical and radioactive agents. The radar boasts an effective fire-protection system. An air conditioning system contributes to the work's convenience during combat operations.

The other meter-wave band radar, 1L13-3, is successfully employed to monitor air space and integrated in a system used to ensure air traffic control of military and civilian targets. It may also be used in an automated air defense or air force control system, or may be employed independently (e.g., as part of a rapid deployment force).

The radar is highly, mobile: its equipment is arranged on three trucks and
one trailer. The crew sets up the radar equipment within 45 min. The
radar makes it possible to feed at a high rate data on the positions of
flying targets in two dimensions: in azimuth (unlimited) and in range (up to
300 km). The highest altitude a fighter aircraft can be detected at is 27
km. Like the 55Zh6-1, the 1L13-3 is equipped with an automatically
controlled anti-jamming system, which uses multi-channel self-balancing
and digital scan-mode selection equipment. It is also provided with
monitoring and automatic trouble location equipment. The radar may be
powered from the industrial mains or itsown electric power plant,
comprising two 30-kW Diesel-generator sets.

The air conditioners guarantee operators' comfort, while the automatic
fire-fighting system and filtering-and-ventilating units ensure their safety.


The most important feature is its ability to detect "the invisible" aircraft. Clearly, these radars are related to the world's most advanced class of military hardware.

http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/showthread.php?t=10099

 

[Glaz]

As you well know superior USA government - leader of the "free" world has canceled the F-22 air "superiority" fighter program.

No it hasn't.

 

[srev2004]

No it hasn't.

this article is old, some facts are outdated. But I just wanted to point out the radar technology.

 

[LogicChristian]

this article is old, some facts are outdated. But I just wanted to point out the radar technology.

First off, noone says the Raptor is invincible. Secondly, the Raptor has never been cancelled. Third, the URL for your article doesn't work.

Also, there's the important fact that even without stealth, the F-22A is still by far the most capable operational combat aircraft in the world today. If these radars are so effective against stealth aircraft, why was the US able to successfully carry out so many raids with stealth aircraft in the Yugoslav war?

There's no evidence an F-117 was detected and brought down by one of these radars as well. Also, the plane was shot down by an SA-3 missile. In fact, sources from the news to the Air War College quarterly attribute the loss of the plane to an SA-3 missile. This Link blames the incident on a spy, while this thread on the same forum you just linked from discusses the tactics the SA-3 battery commander used to shoot down the F-117. The evidence to show that this radar was used in Yugoslavia to shoot down an F-117 is scant at best.

Here's a link to another good thread that completely tears down this article.

 

[srev2004]

I'm just saying you can't completely depend on one technology such as stealth. There are ways to counter it and hence, the overall package is not too far ahead of other planes flying in the world today. The only thing the f-22 has going for it is internal weapon's bay when it's compared to other fighters and supercruise.

 

[LogicChristian]

I'm just saying you can't completely depend on one technology such as stealth. There are ways to counter it and hence, the overall package is not too far ahead of other planes flying in the world today. The only thing the f-22 has going for it is internal weapon's bay when it's compared to other fighters and supercruise.

That's completely untrue.

The only weapon in the US arsenal that completely relies on stealth is the F-117A Nighthawk. The F-22A is faster at both military and afterburner than almost any production fighter, it has a higher thrust to weight ratio (thus higher acceleration) and in additon to its internal weapons bays, can carry a large number of air to air weapons, air to ground weapons/ferry tanks on external stores if stealth isn't an issue (which, according to you, it isn't.)

The F-22A can carry a maximum of 16 air to air missiles and enough external tanks to give it a max unrefueled ferry range of over 8000 km. There's also the fact it has a higher service ceiling than any Russian aircraft.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22-weapons.htm
http://www.aeronautics.ru/nws002/f22/techspecs.htm

You also didn't mention AESA radar, which will soon become the first operational directed energy weapon on a fighter aircraft. Russia doesn't have an AESA outside of the lab.

 

[srev2004]

That's completely untrue.

The only weapon in the US arsenal that completely relies on stealth is the F-117A Nighthawk. The F-22A is faster at both military and afterburner than almost any production fighter, it has a higher thrust to weight ratio (thus higher acceleration) and in additon to its internal weapons bays, can carry a large number of air to air weapons, air to ground weapons/ferry tanks on external stores if stealth isn't an issue (which, according to you, it isn't.)

The F-22A can carry a maximum of 16 air to air missiles and enough external tanks to give it a max unrefueled ferry range of over 8000 km. There's also the fact it has a higher service ceiling than any Russian aircraft.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22-weapons.htm
http://www.aeronautics.ru/nws002/f22/techspecs.htm

You also didn't mention AESA radar, which will soon become the first operational directed energy weapon on a fighter aircraft. Russia doesn't have an AESA outside of the lab.

I'm just saying it won't hold superiority for long. The Sukhois 30 MKI has a range of 3000km, and 8000km with external fuel also. Anyways I'm just saying it will be unrivaled for a maximum of 5 years after full scale induction.

 

[LogicChristian]

Anyways I'm just saying it will be unrivaled for a maximum of 5 years after full scale induction.

That's just an assertion, not really based on fact. What nation will be deploying its own AESA on a fighter in the next 5 years again?

 

[seamonster]

Lol, the F-22 kills the SU-30 is every area, nice try, though. Also, a radar detection ceiling of 60km? NOT impressed. 65km detection range for a target flying at 500m? What were they testing it against that it was flying at 500m? As for the nighthawk, it was shot down because it's bomb-bay doors weren't very stealthy. If you want a comparison, try moving into the upper 30s range of SUs.

 

[srev2004]

That's just an assertion, not really based on fact. What nation will be deploying its own AESA on a fighter in the next 5 years again?

India has one. The Sukhois 30 MKI is the best combat proven fighter plane in the world right now. The F-22 hasn't gone up against anything outside US planes.

17 February 2005 10:48
Russia about to complete next generation phased array radar
The Fazotron-NIIR Corporation is about to complete development of an onboard active phased array radar, Fazotron-NIIR Director General and Designer General Anatoliy Kanashchenkov told Interfax-Military News Agency today.
"Development of the next-generation active phased array radar will be completed in the first quarter of 2005. The array with a diameter of 700 mm has already been launched into mass production," Kanashchenkov said.
He noted that Fazotron-NIIR, the Tekhnokompleks Research and Production Centre, and the MiG Aircraft Corporation had signed an agreement on developing a future light fighter.
"Fazotron-NIIR actively works on developing the future active phased array radar to be mounted on the light fighter, being developed by MiG," he said.
According to him, much progress has been made in manufacturing radiating elements of the active phased array radar.
"The quadruple module has already been produced. It is natural, that there are certain difficulties, just as is the case with any research and development - certain components still feature unstable characteristics. However, this problem will be solved," Kanashchenkov said.
According to him, the corporation incurs additional expenditures on the project.
Kanashchenkov said that components of the active phased array radar were developed in cooperation with several enterprises.
"Three companies, participating in the project, have established a joint production facility, being upgraded in order to establish the module assembly line," Kanashchenkov said.
According to him, the production facility is based on the Tomsk MIKRAN Institute which has a fairly big production capacity, manufacturing contemporary communications means. According to Kanashchenkov, one of the companies specializes in semiconductor technologies, while another one in manufacturing transceiver monolithic components.
"It is the Fazotron-NIIR corporation that defines the current and the future work," Kanashchenkov said.

Indian AESA in Development.



• The Indian Air Force is the world`s fourth largest air force. Has five Operational Commands, over 500 helicopters and more than 1700 aircraft.
• Just about two months back in October India has been offered Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet. According to reports the EADS (European Aeronautics and Defence Systems) is pitching for its multi-role Eurofighter Typhoon--a truly multi-role, suitable for air defense, bombing and air superiority missions-- sale to India. EADS also participated in the advanced light helicopter project in late-eighties, in October last in briefings to the Indian government, offered to take India on board its fifth generation fighter aircraft project, which is far well advanced than the Russian project, and the first Typhoons could be delivered by 2006. According to the EADS team executives, the aircraft can be entirely produced in India and it would be involved right from R and D stage, if it (India) chooses to deal with EASD.
• During the same month (October 2005) according to reports Indian Air Force planned to increase the number of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and plans to buy 200 of them.
• The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security, which clears major defense programs, in October, accepted the Air Force`s proposal to increase the number from the original 126, for which a request for information already has been sent to overseas vendors. The value of the original contract was $5 billion; the revised plan brings the combined value of one or more contracts to $8.5 billion.
• The reports quoting a senior Defence Ministry official said the Air Force plans to phase out 60 of its 140 Jaguar aircraft in the next five years, by which time MMRCAs would start arriving. The additional planes will replace more Jaguars, MiG-23s, and some squadrons of MiG-27s.
• A request for information for the initial 126 planes was sent to Lockheed Martin for its F-16, Saab for the JAS 39 Gripen, Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RAC MiG) for the MiG-29 SMT, and Dassault Aviation for the Mirage 2000-5. Boeing also has offered its F/A-18 aircraft for consideration, as has RAC MiG for the MiG-35, as reported by India defence site.
• Another matter of concern for us is that India and the United States have entered into a new strategic partnership, with Washington agreeing to provide nuclear and space technology for civilian use. The purchase of the F-16 or F/A-18 would signal the beginning of a new defense relationship between India and the United States, said Surya Pal Singh, a retired Indian Air Force air commodore.
• He added that the purchase of two types of MMRCAs not only will help speed up acquisition of the aircraft, it also may help the Air Force acquire American aircraft, which have been offered with the latest radar, Singh said.
• “India wants as part of the MMRCA package the U.S. Active Electronically Scanned Array radar as well as new-generation missiles”, the Defence Ministry official said.
• Recently IAF has ordered 150 fourth-generations Su-30MK and most will be produced in India under a technology transfer agreement with Russia, besides it will be getting Israeli Phalcon AWACS advanced surveillance.

AESA will be worldwide in about 2 years.

The Su-30MKI has no AoA limitations: it can fly at even 180 degree AoA and still recover. This high super-agility allows rapid deployment of weapons in any direction as desired by the crew. The addition of another seat means that the pilot is free to concentrate on flying the aircraft while the second pilot can engage targets.

The Su-30MKI can function as a 'mini-AWACS' and can act as a director or command post for other aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to atleast 4 other aircraft. This feature was first seen in the MiG-31 Foxhound, which is equipped with a Zaslon radar.

N011M Bars supplied to the IAF have progressively updated capabilities. Future upgradation plans include new gimbals for the antenna mount to increase the field of view to about 90-100 degrees to both sides. New software will enable a Doppler-sharpening mode and the capability to engage up to eight air targets simultaneously. Additionally the capability of the world-best PJ-10 Brahmos missile will be incorporated. The Air launched version of the missile 'Brahmos-A' requires modifications to the airframe due to high weight. As many as three can be carried on the MKI, but only if the weight of the missile can be reduced. Untill then a capability to carry one Brahmos and two Krypton ("mini moskit") missiles is being worked on

Enter the Irbis. By 2010, when the first totally-built Su-30MKI will roll out from HAL Nasik, it will be equipped with new, active phased-array airborne radar. Called the Irbis (Snow Leopard), it will replace the NO11M. Both the LRDE and Tikhomirov NIIP are co-developing the Irbis at a cost of US$160 million.

The Su-30MKI combat load is mounted on 12 stations. The maximum advertised combat load is 8000 kg (17,600 lbs). All compatible Russian/Soviet AAMs and AGMs are available to the IAF, which infact has quite a large variety of these weapons. The RVV-AE is not being inducted into the Russian Air Force but have been bought by the IAF. The aircraft features the built-in single-barrel GSh-301 gun (30 mm calibre, 150 rounds).
Over 70 versions of guided and unguided weapon stores may be employed, which allows the aircraft to fly the most diverse tactical missions. Speculation is that the Su-30 can also carry a tactical nuclear payload, though only Jaguar and Mirage aircraft are known to be equipped for the role thus far.

The thrust vectoring is clearly visible in these vidcaps of a Su-37




First Cousins: Su-30MKI (Left) and Su-37 (Right)

 

[LogicChristian]

India has one. .

Uh, on what combat aircraft does India have an AESA radar?

The Sukhois 30 MKI is the best combat proven fighter plane in the world right now.

What are you basing that on? Would that be the Cope India excercise that was heavily biased towards brand new Su-30MKI equipped units that outnumbered units using the 25 year old F-15C?

The F-22 hasn't gone up against anything outside US planes

Correction, the F-22 hasn't gone up against anything outside of US planes simulating Russian made aircraft. One complaint F-15C pilots made in Air Force monthly was that they couldn't use their full range of tactics against F-22s in training because they were ordered to simulate Su-27s.

Maybe you should read up a little on the actual development and deployment of the F-22A and the pilots that have flown it before you bash it. Between your posts saying the F-22 was cancelled and articles claiming Yugoslavia was a successful field trial for a radar that has never guided a missile to an airplane, it seems you're more desperate to bash the American military and its technology than actually sit down and study it.

 

[srev2004]

My only claim is that it's not the beast that people make it out to be.

 

[srev2004]

http://frontierindia.com/album/cpg134/albums/userpics/10005/Mi-35.jpg

 

[srev2004]

The SU-30 MKI is the best Russian variant Jet. It has never been fully used against any other plane. People don't know it's radar capability. It's radar was switched off during Cope India 2006.

 

[srev2004]

The avionics in the Su-30MKI are all weather, dual frequency, digital multi mode, with the NIIP N-011M radar, which has a 200 km tracking range and a 350 km search range. The aircraft's radar can track and actively engage 20 enemy targets and engage the 8 most dangerous simultaneously. This radar can track and engage tactical ballistic/cruise missiles and motionless helicopters (very few aircraft in the world have this capability). The radar at sea has a 20-metre detection resolution of large targets at sea, up to distances of 400 km. Small sea target detected at sea at a distances of 120 km.
India plans to install Astra air-to-air missile and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Su-30 MKI. With the instalment of these new missiles, the MKI can be a serious contender to many modern fighter jets including the Typhoon and the Rafale.
Currently India has never let any external air force practice or exercise with it's Su-30 MKI variants. However, the American Air force has exercised with the Indian Air force’s MK variants during Cope India '04.

 

[srev2004]

Thrust vectoring

Thrust vectoring is a new technology being introduced to further enhance a fighter's turning ability. By redirecting the jet exhaust, it is possible to directly translate the engine's power into directional changes, more efficiently than via the plane's control surfaces. The technology has been fitted to the Mikoyan MiG-35, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, F-35, and F-22 Raptor. The U.S. explored fitting the technology to the F-16 and the F-15, but decided against implementing them. There is some indication that the Typhoon may eventually be refitted with thrust vectoring.
[edit]

Supercruise

Supercruise is the ability of aircraft to cruise efficiently at supersonic speeds without the afterburner. Because of parasitic drag effects, fighters carrying external weapons stores encounter excessive drag near the speed of sound, making it impossible or prohibitively fuel-consuming to break the sound barrier. Though fighters easily break Mach 1 and 2 in clean configurations on afterburner, and the English Electric Lightning was able to break Mach 1 without the use of afterburner, these were academic exercises as they were not carrying combat loads.
With improvements to engine power output and careful aeronautical design of weapons stores, it is now possible for fighters to supercruise with combat loads. The Typhoon, and the (fifth-generation) F-22 are the only modern fighters with this ability. Dassault claims the Rafale to be able to supercruise but this claim has yet to be demonstrated. The Typhoon can supercruise at Mach 1.5 with a combat load of six missiles and no tanks, or Mach 1.3 with a full combat load. Though specifications have not been claimed, the F-22 is believed to have superior supercruise ability, owing to its internal weapons stores.
[edit]

Avionics

Avionics is a catch-all phrase for the electronic systems aboard an aircraft, which have been growing in complexity and importance. The main elements of an aircraft's avionics are its sensors (Radar and IR sensors), computers and data bus, and user interface. Because they can be readily swapped out as new technologies become available, they are often upgraded over the lifetime of an aircraft. Details about these systems are highly protected. Since many export aircraft have downgraded avionics, many buyers substitute domestically developed avionics, sometimes considered superior to the original. For example, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI sold to India, the F-15I and F-16I sold to Israel, and the F-15K sold to South Korea.
The primary sensor for all modern fighters is radar. The U.S. pioneered the use of solid-state AESA radars, which have no moving parts and are capable of projecting a much tighter beam and quicker scans. It is fitted to F-15C, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the block 60 (export) F-16, and will be used for all future American fighters. A European coalition GTDAR is developing an AESA radar for use on the Typhoon and Rafale, and it is unknown if Russia or China are developing airborne AESA radars. For the next generation F-22 and F-35, the U.S. will utilize Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) capacity. This will spread the energy of a radar pulse over several frequencies, so as not to trip the radar warning receivers that all aircraft carry.
In reaction to the increasing American emphasis on radar-evading stealth designs, the Soviet Union turned to alternate sensors. This drove them to pioneer the use of infra-red search and track (IRST) sensors. These are essentially a TV camera in the IR wavelength, passively measuring the emitted IR radiation from targets. However, as a passive sensor it has limited range, and contains no inherent data about position and direction of targets - these must be inferred from the images captured. IRST sensors have become standard on Russian aircraft. With the exception of the F-14D, no Western fighters carry built-in IRST sensors for air-to-air detection, though the similar FLIR is often used to acquire ground targets. The next-generation F-22 and F-35 will both have built-in IRST sensors, though the latter's is intended for ground targets.
The tactical implications of the computing and data bus capabilities of aircraft are hard to determine. A more sophisticated computer bus would allow more flexible uses of the existing avionics. For example, it is speculated that the F-22 is able to jam or damage enemy electronics with a focused application of its radar. A computing feature of significant tactical importance is the datalink. All of the modern European and American aircraft are capable of sharing targeting data with allied fighters and from AWACS planes (see JTIDS). The Russian MiG-31 interceptor also has some datalink capability, so it is reasonable to assume that other Russian planes can also do so. The sharing of targeting and sensor data allows pilots to put radiating, highly visible sensors further from enemy forces, while using that data to vector silent fighters toward the enemy.


[edit]

Cost

The per unit cost is difficult to accurately determine, as the amortization of a large development cost over a varying number of units produced can greatly vary the price. Moreover, the purchase price does not reflect lifetime costs of maintenance, parts, and training. A useful guide to costs come from export prices, which are widely reported, and represent a mix of the marginal cost of production plus some recouperation of development costs.
Figures are in USD unless otherwise specified.

• Dassault Rafale More than €50m, depending on export sales
• Eurofighter Typhoon Austrian version: '03 €62m
• Mitsubishi F-2 US$ 100m
• MiG-29 about '98 US$ 27m
• Sukhoi Su-27US$ 24m
• Sukhoi Su-30 US$ ~38m (Several variants)
  • Sukhoi Su-30K for Indonesia: '98 US$ 33m
  • Sukhoi Su-30MKI for India, highly specified version: '98 US$ 45m
  • Sukhoi Su-30MKM for Malaysia, a variant of the Indian version: '03 US$ 50m
• Saab Gripen about '98 US$ 25m
• Ching Kuo initially large order put cost per unit at US$ 24m
• F-15 Eagle '98 US$ 43m
• F-16 Fighting Falcon late models about '98 US$ 25m
• F/A-18 Hornet E/F model '98 US$ 60m
• F-22 RaptorA model '06 US$ 338m, based on production run of 183 aircraft
• F-35 JSF:
  • F-35A US$ 45m
  • F-35B > US$ 100m '06
  • F-35C US$ 55m

Plasma stealth is a proposed process that uses ionized gas to reduce the radar cross section (RCS) of an aircraft. Interactions between electromagnetic radiation and ionized gas have been extensively studied for a variety of purposes, including the possible concealment of aircraft from radar that plasma stealth theorizes. While the theoretical possibility of reducing an aircraft's RCS by wrapping the airframe in ionized gas flow is not in question, the technological aspects of applying such methods represent considerable challenges. There are many possible means of accomplishing this effect, running from "simple" electrostatic discharges to complex and power-hungry plasma lasers.
Even though plasma theory is a highly complex topic with many unanswered fundamental questions, a plasma stealth device for combat aircraft was claimed to be offered for export by Russia in 1999. In January of 1999, the Russian ITAR-TASS news agency published an interview with Doctor Anatoliy Koroteyev, the director of the Keldysh Research Center (FKA Scientific Research Institute for Thermal Processes), who talked about the plasma stealth device developed by his organization. The claim was particularly interesting in light of the solid scientific reputation of Dr. Koroteyev and the Institute for Thermal Processes, which is one of the top scientific research organizations in the world in the field of fundamental physics. [see "Russian scientists created revolutionary technologies for reducing radar visibility of aircraft", by Nikolay Novichkov, ITAR-TASS, January 20, 1999].
The Journal of Electronic Defense reported that "plasma-cloud-generation technology for stealth applications" developed in Russia reduces an aircraft's RCS by a factor of 100. According to this June 2002 article, the Russian plasma stealth device has been tested aboard a Su-27IB fighter-bomber. The Journal also reported that similar research into applications of plasma for RCS reduction is being carried out by Accurate Automation Corporation (Chattanooga, TN) and Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA) in the US; and by Dassault Aviation (Saint-Cloud, France) and Thales (Paris, France). ["Russia Working on Stealth Plasma", by Michal Fiszer and Jerzy Gruszczynski, Journal of Electronic Defense, June 2002]

 

[srev2004]

IAF's spyplanes to be phased out on May one
NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI)

Twenty five years after its induction and kept under wraps for its entire service tenure, the IAF's most secretive air platform the MiG-25 Foxbats, used for spying from near outer space is being bid adieu.

However, the Foxbats are not exiting the way they came in, with the Air Force organising a public farewell giving them exposure for the first time on May one. It will be the last day the fighters, which have the capability of reaching heights upto 100,000 feet, will fly.

"It is going to be an emotional experience" said Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukherjee Assitant Chief of the Air Staff, who has had a rare privilege of commanding the squadron.

"All the commanding officers of the squadron as well as pilots who flew them are going to be there to bid final farewell to the Foxbats", he said.

MiG-25, along with the US Air Force's SR-71, are the only two fighters in the world which can fly upto such heights and at speeds almost two and half times of sound.

IAF has now only four such aircraft and all of them after their last flight on may one are going to be presented for exhibitions to various armed forces edcuational institutions like IAF Academy and Air Force museum at Palam.

 

[srev2004]

This raises questions on the F-22's dogfighting abilities. If an F/A-18 can get a great lock on the Raptor like that, then how would the Raptor face the likes of the latest thrust vectored flankers, which are much more suited to dogfighting than the F/A-18's if the Flankers manage the transition from BVR to WVR ?

 

[srev2004]

Moscow, Russia: Russian military planes flew undetected through the U.S. zone of the Arctic Ocean to Canada during recent military exercises, a senior Air Force commander said Saturday.

To view pictures of the Russian Military, Click Here

The commander of the country's long-range strategic bombers, Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov, said the U.S. Air Force is now investigating why its military was unable to detect the Russian bombers.

"They were unable to detect the planes either with radars or visually," he said.
Khorov said that during the military exercises in April, Tu-160 Blackjack bombers and Tu-95 Bears had successfully carried out four missile launches. Bombing exercises were held using Tu-22 Blinders.
By the end of the year, two more Tu-160s will be commissioned for the long-range strategic bomber fleet, Khorov said.
Both new planes will incorporate numerous upgrades from the initial Soviet models, the commander said. The bombers will be able to launch both cruise missiles and aviation bombs, and communicate via satellite.

 

[LogicChristian]

Moscow, Russia: Russian military planes flew undetected through the U.S. zone of the Arctic Ocean to Canada during recent military exercises, a senior Air Force commander said Saturday.

To view pictures of the Russian Military, Click Here

The commander of the country's long-range strategic bombers, Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov, said the U.S. Air Force is now investigating why its military was unable to detect the Russian bombers.

"They were unable to detect the planes either with radars or visually," he said.
Khorov said that during the military exercises in April, Tu-160 Blackjack bombers and Tu-95 Bears had successfully carried out four missile launches. Bombing exercises were held using Tu-22 Blinders.
By the end of the year, two more Tu-160s will be commissioned for the long-range strategic bomber fleet, Khorov said.
Both new planes will incorporate numerous upgrades from the initial Soviet models, the commander said. The bombers will be able to launch both cruise missiles and aviation bombs, and communicate via satellite.

This proves what exactly? How long were US submarines sitting around in Russian waters tapping cable communications before the Russians found them?

If the Russians had launched an attack against the US, Russia would have been wiped out as well. Ain't MAD fun?