Posted on 08/06/2009 4:55:54 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
F-18s, F-16s racing to reach Bangalore for trials
Prashanth G N, TNN 6 August 2009, 12:53am IST
BANGALORE: F-18s and F-16s. The US fighter aircraft are in a neck and neck race to reach Bangalore for commencement of test trials by the IAF. The trials, to begin in the next three weeks, are a matter of pride for Bangalore as it is one among three locations selected, the other two being Leh and Jaisalmer. IAF will purchase 126 new fighter aircraft.
Both aircraft had come in as recently as October 2008 for Aero India and were slugging it out even then for public attention. Stationed side by side, the aircraft competed in the sorties they flew and in the access they lent to the public, aerospace experts and media.
As things stand, Boeing's F-18 will fly into Bangalore ahead of the F-16IN for the trials. The F-18 will be the super hornet version, favourite of the US Navy. The F/A-18E is a one-seater, while the F/A-18F is a two-seater. In the US, the super hornet production is expected to continue through 2015.Manufactured by Boeing IDS, the super hornets are aircraft designed with just a flip of the switch to fly both air-to-air missions (fighter) and air-to-ground missions (attack).
While the display of its frontline fighter is itself a statement about changing Indo-US relations, Boeing is upbeat about long-term R&D collaboration and technology transfer projects, unthinkable even a year ago. "We do have long-term plans. We are looking at research in breakthrough technology with the premier scientific institution in the country, the IISc. We will also look at defence R&D," Chris Chadwick, vice-president, Global Strike Systems, Boeing IDS, told TOI.
The F-16s from Lockheed Martin will be the IN version said to be the latest in the F-16 stables. Lockheed is flying in a specialized pilot and flight engineer for demos. "A cockpit simulator is being brought for familiarization with electronics and overall atmosphere of the F-16 cockpit," Lockheed representatives told TOI.
The latest version of the F-16 incorporates the advanced avionics, stealth and other critical systems of our F-22 and the F-35 jets, the only two fifth generation fighters currently flying. Lockheed believes F-16 is the fastest path for the IAF to the fifth-generation fighter. India and Russia are currently engaged in joint design of a fifth generation fighter but its production is at least a decade away.
The IAF needs new jets to replace its fast-depleting fleet of Soviet-era MiG-series jets.
Wouldnt sell India either one. Let them fly MIGs.
Here’s a link to Lockheed’s page on the F-16IN (the “Super Viper”)
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f16/f16in/index.html
Don’t know which is a better choice (F-16IN or F/A18-H), but I’d have to think either would be a significant step up from the aging Mig-21’s and 27’s they’ll likely be replacing.
Why not?
Any weapons system sold to any foreign power must be equipped with a remotely operated self-destruct device, just in case it is ever turned against our forces.
Sure-hope you won’t mind them being GIVEN (with US mil-aid) to the Pakis, who will then have enough hard cash to buy 100s of Chinese fighters. And oh, they won’t mind renting their F-16s to the Chicoms, like they have done in the past.
While the Europeans and Russians rake in the money from Indian contracts.
The closest you have to that are satellite guided systems, which can be deactivated. And ofcourse, the supply of spares is the main key.
You can’t install a kill-device unless you think the buyer is too dumb to find out about it-remember the Chinese VIP craft filled with bugs?
While the F-16 is arguably more suitable for the role (jack of all trades), the Super Hornet probably has the upper hand. It’s still in production for its main customer, is not operated by any rival and most importantly, it’s engine is being considered for an upgraded Tejas fighter.
That would be the first thing removed by the customer.
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