MRCA Contender F-18 Hornet At Aero-India 2011

A New Mocked Up Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet To Debut At The Upcoming Aero India 2011

A mocked up version of Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet will be among the many metal birds to debut at the upcoming Aero India 2011.

Boeing, which is one of the contenders for the $10 billion medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, will unveil a stealthier version of the F/A-18 at the air show to be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka between February 9 and 13.

Boeing’s vice president and country head for defence, space and security, Vivek Lal, said that one of the two F/A-18s which will be performing at the bi-annual show will be configured with conformal fuel tanks, enhanced performance engines, spherical missile laser warning, enclosed weapons pad, next generation cockpit and internal infrared search and tracking system.

The mocked up aircraft, which will be unveiled at the Aero India will be the first F/A-18 to be developed as part of the ‘International Super Hornet Roadmap’ programme which was announced by the US-based aerospace company at last year’s Farnborough Air Show in the UK.

Labelled as the next evolution of Block II Super Hornet, the aircraft is said to have features “which increase survivability, situational awareness, and performance for customers”.

Lal said that if India inked the 126 MMRCA deal with Boeing, it would also have the option of shaping its technology in future. “We are putting up a platform which will be combat worthy for the next 30 to 40 years,” said Lal.

Brazil's Military Future Multi-Billion-Dollar Jet Fighter Deal

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won't decide on the future partner for Brazil's military aircraft industry in a deal that involves a multibillion-dollar jet fighter purchase from the winning bidder.
 Instead Lula is leaving the decision to his successor, President-elect Dilma Rousseff, who takes office Jan. 1, Lula told official television station TV Brasil.



The United States, France and Sweden are in the race to win a contract that includes an option to buy another 100 jets from the successful supplier over the coming decades.

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf weighed in to support of SAAB's Grippen fighter, French President Nicholas Sarkozy openly canvassed for Dassault's Rafale and White House support behind Boeing's F-18 fighter was widely reported in Brazil.

Lula indicated he favored buying Rafale as France offered the best technology transfer deal and expressed concern the U.S. Congress might block or restrict any Boeing deal. Grippen won support from Brazil's military strategists because of its lower cost. Swedish lobbyists also took mileage out of Queen Silvia's Latin American connection as the offspring of a German father and Brazilian mother.


High-powered lobbyists from the rivals have frequently beaten the path of the capital, Brasilia, but have failed to glean any useful information on which way Brazil would go next year.

"It's a very big debt, it's a long-term debt for Brazil," Lula said in comments cited by Agencia Brazil and MercoPress during the television appearance.

"I could sign off on it and do a deal with France but I'm not going to do that," Lula said. Critics of Rafale say the jet fighter has never been sold outside France and Dassault hopes to use a sale to kick-start a global marketing campaign. Dassault has its eyes on India and Kuwait among potential customers for Rafale.

Lula said the final decision would rest with Brazil's National Defense Council, which includes Cabinet ministers, armed forces commanders and the president.

Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, who has been closely involved with the negotiations with Dassault, Saab NG and the Boeing Co., will continue his job in the new administration.

Jobim echoed Lula's view that the French offer was the best because of its technology transfer package but senior Brazilian air force commanders favored the F-18 despite a smaller technology transfer package. Supporters for cost-effective Grippen also weighed in but analysts said the Swedish bid still faced more critics within Brazil's decision-making machinery.

The choice of a jet fighter for a fast modernizing air force ties in with Rousseff's plans to create a new civil aviation secretariat that will incorporate departments under defense. The plan is part of an urgent strategy to reverse the poor reputation of Brazilian aviation infrastructure ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Officials say the new government is keen to begin an extensive overhaul of Brazilian aviation -- both civil and military -- and promote more sophisticated manufacturing of aircraft for expanding national networks and for export.




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The Future Of Indian Air Force – MMRCA

  The Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)competition is nearing completion. Indian Air Chief Marshal PV Naikrecently said that the contract for supplying 126 MMRCA fighters to theIAF will be signed soon.

On July, 2010, IAF completed itsevaluation report of the field trials conducted for six global fighterscontending for the MMRCA deal.

The evaluation report was thensubmitted to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) whereon it will be discussedby the Cabinet Committee on Security, after which the process ofawarding the contract would be initiated. Once the MoD finalises theshortlisted contenders, the complex process of negotiations will beginleading to the awarding of the deal to the winner.

India's $10.4 billion tender to acquire 126 fighter aircraft

India'splanned multi-billion dollar aircraft deal is the biggest contract eversince the 1990s. In 2001, IAF sent out its request for information(RFI) for the 126 fighters. After delays lasting almost 2 years beyondthe planned December 2005 issue date, the Ministry of Defence finallyannounced a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) on August 2007.

Sixglobal fighters – Lockheed Martin's F-16 Super Viper, Eurofighter'sTyphoon, Russian United Aircraft Corporation's Mikoyan MiG-35, France'sDassault Aviation's Rafale, Swedish SAAB's Gripen and Boeing's F/A-18Super Hornet – had submitted their bids in response to it.

Accordingto reports, the Indian government will be buying the first 18 aircraftdirectly from the manufacturer. The remaining fighters will be builtunder licence with a transfer of technology (ToT) by HindustanAeronautics Limited (HAL) based in Bangalore, India.

The delivery will start within 36 months of contract signing and will be completed 48 months later.

The competitors for the MMRCA deal

Whenthe RFIs were announced, six contenders bid for the order- the SaabGripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Mikoyan MiG-35 and theAmerican F-16IN and F/A-18IN. Out of these six, Russia’s Mikoyan andFrance’s Dassault companies are regular suppliers of aircraft to theIAF compared to the other four contenders.

The six contending fighters for the deal are the latest combat aircraft that are being developed or fielded today. 

Eurofighter Typhoon

TheEurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine canard-delta wing multiroleaircraft designed and built by a European consortium of threecompanies: Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems, and EADS working through aholding company Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986. Theaircraft has high agility at supersonic speed and also has asupercruise capability that can fly at sustained supersonic speedsoffering high reliability.

Eurofighter is offering the Tranche-3Typhoon for the Indian requirement, equipped with the Captor-E (CAESAR)AESA radar. The aircraft also has a broad spectrum of operationaladvantages, such as excellent adaptability to severe weatherconditions, high mission effectiveness and survivability in threatsituations. EADS has even invited India to become a partner for theEurofighter Typhoon programme if the Typhoon wins the MMRCA contract,and will be given technological and development participation in futuretranches of the Typhoon.

Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

TheBoeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine 4.5 generationcarrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The Super Hornet is a largerand more advanced variant of the F/A-18C/D Hornet.

The singleseat F/A-18/E and the two seat F/A-18/F flies greater ranges, withheavier payloads using a more powerful engine which provides greatersurvivability. Its powerful AN/APG-79 AESA radar has generatedsignificant interest in India. This radar could allow Super Hornets toplay a unique role in India’s fighter fleet due to their radar’sperformance and information sharing abilities.

Boeing hasproposed joint manufacturing of the fighters with Indian partners. Italso plans to offset the cost by setting up a $100 million maintenanceand training hub in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This is the first time thatthe Super Hornet has been offered for production in a foreign country.

Onthe availability of Super Hornet's APG-79 AESA radar, the US governmenthas given its approval but has stated that there would be somerestrictions and pre-conditions for the purchase of the aircraft.

Dassault Rafale

TheRafale is a French twin-engined delta-wing agile multi-role4.5th-generation fighter aircraft designed and built by DassaultAviation. The Rafale participated the MMRCA tender as a replacement forthe Mirage 2000-5.

The fighter aircraft is capable of carryingout a wide range of short and long-range missions that include groundand sea attack, air defence and high accuracy strike or nuclear strikedeterrence.

The Rafale has the advantage of being logisticallyand operationally similar to the Mirage 2000. The aircraft has adistinct advantage as it was used with great success during the KargilWar in 1999.

Since the IAF has already been equipped with theFrench Mirage 2000 fighters, the inclusion of Rafale would requirefewer changes in the existing infrastructure of the IAF, which in turnwill reduce cost.

The Transfer of Technology (ToT) is againsmooth with no end user restrictions. The French government has alreadycleared full technology transfer of the Rafale to India, including thatof the RBE2-AA AESA radar, which will be integrated with the fighter by2010, and has also cleared the transfer of source codes.

Initiallyit was reported that Rafale was declared out of the race after it didnot meet India’s technical evaluation criteria. The recommendation wasmade by the Technical Evaluation Committee, as Dassault did not provideinformation on some equipment and add-ons that the IAF wanted in theaircraft. But later on, at a meeting of the Defence Procurement Board,the fighter aircraft was allowed to re-enter the race.

Lockheed Martin F-16 Super Viper

TheF-16IN Super Viper is a unique new fighter sharing a heritage with theworld's only fifth generation fighters – the F-35 Lightning II JointStrike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. The Super Viper has the mostadvanced technologies and capabilities which include AN/APG-80 AESAradar, Net-Centric Warfare capability, an infrared search and track(IRST) system, advanced survivability features, enhanced high-thrustengines and proven combat and operational effectiveness.

Indiainitially sent the RFI for the F-16C/D Block 52+ configurationaircraft. But, Lockheed Martin proposed the customised F-16IN for theMMRCA competition. If F-16IN wins the contract, then Lockheed Martinwill also offer to sell the F-35 lightning aircraft in future asreplacements.

But the Indian government and IAF have neverseemed very keen on buying the F-16s as the Pakistan Air Force alreadyoperates the same warplane. The capabilities of the F-16s also appearto be similar to that of the Mirage 2000s operated by the IAF.

SAAB Gripen IN

The SAAB Gripen is a lightweight single engine multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company SAAB.

GripenIN (a version of the Gripen NG- Next Generation) is the mosttechnologically advanced fighter and is equipped with futuristicwarfare technologies developed specifically for India. The Gripen NGhas increased fuel capacity, more powerful powerplant, higher payload,upgraded avionics and other improvements.

The fighter aircrafthas a powerful and proven GE’s F414G engine, AESA radar, advancedcommunication system, advanced electronic warfare, tactical data link,and advanced weapons capacity. Its other strengths include the abilityoperate from roads instead of runways if necessary and also reasonablepurchase cost.

SAAB, if wins the bid, is willing to form a jointventure with Indian aerospace industry with the aim to develop the nextgeneration of fighters and also provide access to all levels oftechnology.

Mikoyan MiG-35

TheMikoyan MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F) is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2and MiG-29K/KUB. The IAF already operates MiG-29s, and the Navy hasordered MiG-29K/KUBs for its INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant-classaircraft carriers.

The single seat version is designated MiG-35and the two-seat version is MiG-35D. The fighter has vastly improvedavionics and weapon systems, notably the new Phazotron Zhuk-AE AESAradar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed Optical LocatorSystem (OLS).

The IAF already has maintenance facilities for theMiG-29. Therefore, it will be very much easier to buy the Russian-madeaircraft with a minimum of expenditure on infrastructure. Also Russiais willing to give full ToT, which is an added advantage. Russia hasprovided support for equipments in the past also during internationalsanctions.

Comparison

Allsix contenders are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and AESA(Active Electronically Scanned Array) airborne radar with only marginaldifferences in performance. There is also little difference in theirarmament carrying capacity and, where needed, suchchanges/modifications should be possible.

The Dassault Rafale,the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet are alltwin-engine fighters in the 25-30 tonne class. All of them arereportedly very expensive. The MiG-35, also a twin-engined aircraft,was first unveiled at Aero India Show-2007 at Bangalore, India. Itsofficial price is still unknown but will preferably be lower than theother expensive bidders. The other two competitors, F-16IN and GripenIN are relatively lightweight fighters but can carry a weapon load ofaround 8000 kg. Both are highly manoeuvrable multirole fighters.

Conclusion

Thefinal chapter on the 'mother of all deals' – the MMRCA competition –will be written soon and major issues like access to technology,technology transfer, reliable spares and maintenance support throughoutthe projected life of the aircraft, etc will play key role in thedecision making. There are media reports that political factor islikely to influence the choice of the MMRCA other than the performanceand cost.

The contract is likely to be wrapped up sometime next year, and the MMRCA is expected to join the IAF fleet in early 2017.

Currently,the strength of the IAF is 34 squadrons (over 640 aircraft). By 2022,the IAF fighters’ fleet would comprise of the Sukhois, indigenous LightCombat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas', MMRCA, indigenous Medium Combat Aircraftand fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) that India is developingjointly with the Russians.

Finally, whatever be the result ofthis on-going competition, the inclusion of these MMRCA will definitelyform a strong backbone for the Indian Air Force.

F/A-18 Hornet

All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air supportwithout compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellentfighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same timeincreases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcatin fleet air defense.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons fromair stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornetcomprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customersincluding Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain andSwitzerland.

The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. Compared to the original F/A-18 A through D models, Super Hornethas longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increasedsurvivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capabilityof precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM inthe future*
Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet,an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as afighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighterescort and forfleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
History and Background
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm,shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targetswith the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all recordsfor tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.
Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recoveringsuccessfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next dayproved the aircraft's survivability. The F/A-18 is a twin engine,mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. The F/A-18A and C are singleseat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is usedprimarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraftfor attack, tactical air control, forward air control andreconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolledout at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat whilethe F is a two-seater.
The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. Theaircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meetingall of its performance requirements on cost,on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified inOperational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flyingcolors receiving the highest possible endorsement.
The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was withVFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, andsaw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in astrike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.
Super Hornet, flew combat sortiesfrom Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliabilityand an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboardLincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in theirairwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readinessrequirements while on deployment. The SuperHornet cost per flight hour is 40% of the F-14 Tomcat and requires 75% less labor hours per flight hour.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter orattack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment toaccomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability givesthe operational commander more flexibility in employing tacticalaircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missionsare primarily fighter escort andfleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support.
The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jammingdevices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F modelshave built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. TheSuperHornet provides aircrew the capability and performance necessary to face 21st century threats.
General Characteristics, Super Hornet, E and F models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas.
Date Deployed: First flight in November 1995. InitialOperational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NASLemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS AbrahamLincoln.
Unit Cost: $57 million
Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine.
Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters).
Height: 16 feet (4.87 meters).
Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.8+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 kilometers), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 kilometers), two AIM-9s, three 480 gallon tanks retained.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two.
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon,Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-OffWeapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod;Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.
General Characteristics, C and D models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.
Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).
Unit Cost: $29 million.
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine.
Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters).
Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters).
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.7+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2,003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1777.9 miles/2,844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM,SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint DirectAttack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.

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