IAF Rafale | Updates

[Thermonuclear]

Rafale is a beast. Better than even SU 30mki , given it's smaller RCS . powerful AESA , spectra EW system & world best BVRAAM and state of the art ammunition and of course superior pilot's.

Let's look some of it's capabilities purely on specs.

• RCS > very low RCS for a non stealth plane achieved using absorbing property of a material + spectra EW system giving 0.06m2 frontal RCS with weapon load.

•with new DEDRIA for F3R , RCS is now 0.006m2 , even against modern frequency hopping AESA radars.

• RBE 2-AA AESA > is a 3rd generation AESA radar using vivaldi broadband flared notch radiators, making it a wideband radar offering a very high bandwidth. in combination with Spectra EW it's capabilities are enhanced many folds , Only USA has comparable system.

Vivaldi flared notch ( TSA ) TRM.

• SPECTRA EW > state of the art.

DBEM (DÃtection et Brouillage ElectromagnÃtique) - RWR/ECM

• Programmable threat libaries
• ELINT/SIGINT functions
• Fully fused with other on- & offboard sensor data

RWR/ESM
• Digital receivers.

• 3 antennas with 120° azimuth coverage each located on the intakes and fin tip pod, plus additional antennas on the wing tips.

• Interferometry (azimuth & elevation) with stated <1 deg bearing accuracy.

• 2-40 GHz frequency coverage (some sources suggest lower end coverage ~200 MHz)

•geolocation of emitters.

• 250 km detection range (dependent on the emitter)

•Target coordination generation for weapons employment

DECM

• 3 AESA antennas on the fin root and canard roots.

• DRFM based

•active cancellation

•Pencil thin jamming beams

•offensive, defensive and stealthy modes


DDM (Détecteur infrarouge de Départ de Missiles) - MLD

• 2 mid-wave IIR sensors on the fin tip pod sides (360 deg azimuth coverage)

DAL (Detecteur d?Alerte Laser) - LWR

• 3 sensors on the front fuselage sides and the rear of the SPECTRA fin tip pod

Decoy dispensers

• 4 vertical firing flare/decoy dispensers on the top of the fuselage near the wing trailing edges and 2 chaff dispensers on the rear fuselage sides behind the wings

now uses GaN based modules in F3R standard , along with high computational power, new AI technique for superior data fusion from new generation of sensors giving multi fold increase in threat detection, range, classification , ECM , ECCM etc etc.
F3R upgrade are done keeping AESA , stealth threat's in mind. India specific SPECTRA upgrade in F3R also includes
Low- Medium and High band apertures to deal with low observable aircraft.

Old Spectra could give firing solution with 1* precision at 200 km range.

•Old spectra elements in green.

• New GaN based in black.

• X-Guard fiber-optic towed decoy system to fool even the most advance missiles out there. > State of the art.

• weapons > meteor BVRAAM > 3 times NEZ of AIM 120c5, actual NEZ is classified. 3rd party target engagement capability , 2 way data link , can be throttle back , don't loose power through out it's flight. US is going for AIM 260 to counter it.

• MICA > WVR > 80 Km range comes in both IR , RF seeker version. Soon we will see MICA NG with 100+ km range.

• hammer PGM + Scalp cruise missile state of the art.

These are just a few capabilities of this mighty beast. nothing match this in subcontinent... maybe sukhoi's upgrade will do it down the line... but i highly doubt that though. Chinese plane is mo match against it not even J 20. Only F 35, F 22 are superior for now.

 

[BATMAN]

@Thermonuclear seems impressive machine, indeed it's more advance and lethal than SU-30.
When are you getting more of these and how many?

 

[Thermonuclear]

@Thermonuclear seems impressive machine, indeed it's more advance and lethal than SU-30.
When are you getting more of these and how many?

original requirement was for 114 for air force and 54 to 57 for navy. But budget constraints may stop it all together or stretch it over a long time period, well over a decade. American pitching F 15EX and F 18 BLK 3 will give it tough fight but i think Air force will stick with rafale. While navy will probably go for F 18.

 

[BATMAN]

original requirement is for 114 for air force and 54 to 57 for navy. But budget constraints may stop it all together or stretch it over a long time period, well over a decade. American pitching F 15EX and F 18 BLK 3 will give it tough fight but i think Air force will stick with rafale. While navy will probably go for F 18.

I'm sorry but which one stands true,in your opinion:
US F15EX /F18 are cheaper than Rafael or technically better machines?

 

[Thermonuclear]

I'm sorry but which one stands true,in your opinion:
US F15EX /F18 are cheaper than Rafael or technically better machines?

Capability bases Rafale is good , meet IAF requirements, cost wise maybe not. F 15 EX is a capable aircraft but we already have a heavy fighter in form of SU 30 , which will be having it's own upgrade, down the line. That's leave F 18 blk 3 which is not that costly and has foldable wings unlike Rafale thus more suitable for carrier operations. Let's see what happen.

 

[BATMAN]

Capability bases Rafale is good , meet IAF requirements, cost wise maybe not. F 15 EX is a capable aircraft but we already have a heavy fighter in form of SU 30 , which will be having it's own upgrade, down the line. That's leave F 18 blk 3 which is not that costly and has foldable wings unlike Rafale thus more suitable for carrier operations. Let's see what happen.

So it means Rafael is pretty much a closed chapter!

 

[Thermonuclear]

So it means Rafael is pretty much a closed chapter!

I don't know man. MMRCA 2.0 happen for a reason after just 36 Rafale. Let's see what happens... in mean time 12 sukhoi and 21 MIG 29UPG has been order which themselves are very capable jet.

 

[BATMAN]

I don't know man. MMRCA 2.0 happen for a reason after just 36 Rafale. Let's see what happens... in mean time 12 sukhoi and 21 MIG 29UPG has been order which themselves are very capable jet.

obviously... all these hints you have given are not in favor of Rafael.

Only sensible conclusion for hastily procurement of Rafael, could be the unexpected outcome of renowned air battle 27th February 1999 2019

 

[Thermonuclear]

obviously... all these hints you have given are not in favor of Rafael.

Only sensible conclusion for hastily procurement of Rafael, could be the unexpectedly outcome of renowned air battle 27th February 1999

What happened on 27th feb 1999 ?

 

[PWFI]

What happened on 27th feb 1999 ?

27th Feb 2019, "raptor of the East" get shot down by F-16

 

[Slam Eagle]

Rafale is a beast. Better than even SU 30mki , given it's smaller RCS . powerful AESA , spectra EW system & world best BVRAAM and state of the art ammunition and of course superior pilot's.

Let's look some of it's capabilities purely on specs.

• RCS > very low RCS for a non stealth plane achieved using absorbing property of a material + spectra EW system giving 0.06m2 frontal RCS with weapon load.

•with new DEDRIA for F3R , RCS is now 0.006m2 , even against modern frequency hopping AESA radars.

• RBE 2-AA AESA > is a 3rd generation AESA radar using vivaldi broadband flared notch radiators, making it a wideband radar offering a very high bandwidth. in combination with Spectra EW it's capabilities are enhanced many folds , Only USA has comparable system.

Vivaldi flared notch ( TSA ) TRM.
View attachment 16240

• SPECTRA EW > state of the art.

DBEM (DÃtection et Brouillage ElectromagnÃtique) - RWR/ECM

• Programmable threat libaries
• ELINT/SIGINT functions
• Fully fused with other on- & offboard sensor data

RWR/ESM
• Digital receivers.

• 3 antennas with 120° azimuth coverage each located on the intakes and fin tip pod, plus additional antennas on the wing tips.

• Interferometry (azimuth & elevation) with stated <1 deg bearing accuracy.

• 2-40 GHz frequency coverage (some sources suggest lower end coverage ~200 MHz)

•geolocation of emitters.

• 250 km detection range (dependent on the emitter)

•Target coordination generation for weapons employment

DECM

• 3 AESA antennas on the fin root and canard roots.

• DRFM based

•active cancellation

•Pencil thin jamming beams

•offensive, defensive and stealthy modes


DDM (Détecteur infrarouge de Départ de Missiles) - MLD

• 2 mid-wave IIR sensors on the fin tip pod sides (360 deg azimuth coverage)

DAL (Detecteur d?Alerte Laser) - LWR

• 3 sensors on the front fuselage sides and the rear of the SPECTRA fin tip pod

Decoy dispensers

• 4 vertical firing flare/decoy dispensers on the top of the fuselage near the wing trailing edges and 2 chaff dispensers on the rear fuselage sides behind the wings

now uses GaN based modules in F3R standard , along with high computational power, new AI technique for superior data fusion from new generation of sensors giving multi fold increase in threat detection, range, classification , ECM , ECCM etc etc.
F3R upgrade are done keeping AESA , stealth threat's in mind. India specific SPECTRA upgrade in F3R also includes
Low- Medium and High band apertures to deal with low observable aircraft.

Old Spectra could give firing solution with 1* precision at 200 km range.

•Old spectra elements in green.
View attachment 16238

• New GaN based in black.
View attachment 16239

• X-Guard fiber-optic towed decoy system to fool even the most advance missiles out there. > State of the art.

• weapons > meteor BVRAAM > 3 times NEZ of AIM 120c5, actual NEZ is classified. 3rd party target engagement capability , 2 way data link , can be throttle back , don't loose power through out it's flight. US is going for AIM 260 to counter it.

• MICA > WVR > 80 Km range comes in both IR , RF seeker version. Soon we will see MICA NG with 100+ km range.

• hammer PGM + Scalp cruise missile state of the art.

These are just a few capabilities of this mighty beast. nothing match this in subcontinent... maybe sukhoi's upgrade will do it down the line... but I highly doubt that though. Chinese plane is mo match against it not even J 20. Only F 35, F 22 is superior for now.

That's way too much, irrational estimation the Rafale's RCS, and the confidence while claiming 0.06m2 with weapon load. Come on!

What's the source of this information, it's important to know that Active Cancellation isn't something unique to the Rafale, even the EF-2000 can use it.

What I'm driving at if we supposed it's all true. Why would any air force ask for any 5th generation fighters if a 4th generation fighter can enjoy the same level of stealth with much more weapon load? Just by using a deception technology that others can use.

With all respect, that's ridicules. Overestimating Rafale capabilities in this way will lead us to erroneous conclusions.

 

[Thermonuclear]

27th Feb 2019, "raptor of the East" get shot down by F-16

You sure about that no 2nd pilot ( dusra banda ) is missing on our side

 

[PWFI]

You sure about that no 2nd pilot ( dusra banda ) is not missing on our side

Must be dead in a road accident or heart attack

 

[Thermonuclear]

Must be dead in a road accident or heart attack

Group Captain Harpreet Singh Luthra and his comrades from 221 squadron are alive and healthy. Thanks to all the well wishes from our neighbour's though

 

[Thermonuclear]

SU 30MKI next to rafale