The Best of the Best....Air superiority Fighters, page 42
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reply posted on 27-2-2008 @ 07:28 PM by Willard856
Originally posted by kilcoo316

Radar Cross Section


VLO/LO AIAA papers call it one and the same.


We don't. Here's a link to a parliamentary inquiry into Australian Air Superiority, where it talks about the change of status of JSF from VLO to LO. Page 3 towards the bottom is the VLO discussion

Link

It points out that there is no recognised standard with regards to stealth terminology, which is why we are currently discussing this. Suffice to say, from an Australian (and I believe US) perspective, SH and Rafale fall into the LO category, while F-22 falls into the VLO.


Anywayz, dealing with what is on the airframes.

-> The S-H has ducts angled along with tailplanes, and also co-alignment of most other detail surfaces to reduce reflectivity to certain planes.

So does the Rafale. Indeed, some major elements of its substructure have been shaped with reflectivity in mind. The S-H's has not.

-> The S-H has a screw within the duct to prevent radar hitting the compressor face.

The Rafale has a serpentine duct

-> The S-H has RAM incorporated onto various panels.

So does the Rafale.


There is nothing with regards radar treatment that the S-H has that Rafale does not.


Ok, I can’t post justification for why I believe what I do, so let’s just move on.


Passive acquisition

The F-22 relies mainly on passive acquisition to achieve the kill rates it does, why should that be any different for any other platform? Everyone knows it is easier to see an active radar than be seen by an active radar.


[Don't anyone reply with that LPI pish - there are even books published on how to detect the damn things - check amazon if you don't believe me!]


Well, there’s no point arguing then if you are going to dismiss LPI. We have an exchange officer with the Aggressor SQN flying out of Nellis who has flown against the F-22, so I have a decent understanding of how such fights went. But if you don’t agree with LPI, I won’t argue.


Weapons


We are comparing aircraft here - since the Rafale can use AIM-120s, the point that the aircraft has inferior weapons to the Hornet is null and void as it can use the same weapons.


(BTW - the AIM-120D is not in service, so is void as well - unless we want to start going down fantasy lane)


And there is no in-service Rafale carrying AMRAAM and Sidewinder. Consistency works both ways. Currently there are no users of Rafale who use AIM-120 and AIM-9, and we have to use this as our base scenario. If the Super Hornet and Rafale were to meet in combat tomorrow, the only scenario is a MICA versus AIM-120/AIM-9X one. Anything else is going down fantasy lane…

[edit on 27-2-2008 by Willard856]


reply posted on 28-2-2008 @ 03:09 PM by Willard856
reply to post by kilcoo316



How could Rafale carry a full loadout of AMRAAM tomorrow? I didn't realise the French had bought it.


reply posted on 31-3-2011 @ 12:07 AM by RSF77
Originally posted by kilcoo316
The F-22 relies mainly on passive acquisition to achieve the kill rates it does, why should that be any different for any other platform? Everyone knows it is easier to see an active radar than be seen by an active radar.


The plane was designed to fly straight toward an airborne target and remain undetected until well within its passive radar range. The F22 appears about the size of a metal marble when facing a target, therefore the F22's passive radar extends beyond pretty much any other airborne radar's active detection radius, that is why it is different. As soon as the plane turns it shows a lot more radar signature, but turning isn't required to fire a missile though it does spike the F22's radar signature a bit, but not as much as showing the broad side of the aircraft. It is sort of the assassin of fighter aircraft.

Combined with the range of US (I say US because no other country has F22s now, don't hate) missiles and AWACs support it is by far the most effective air superiority fighter. The con would be that the stealth function of the F22 is not as effective against ground based radars as they 'see' the bottom of the aircraft a little, where all that expensive radar absorbent coating doesn't cover. It was designed primarily for air superiority, of course.

Originally posted by AlinFrost
And it's not the machine,the pilot makes the difference,a highly skilled pilot in a old aircraft can take out a state of the art jet with a poorly trained pilot in it.


I would beg to differ, the Red Baron in a Fokker triplane is not going to beat an amateur in a Spitfire any day of the week.

Technological advancement does make quite a difference. Though I will agree that cleverness can play a part, but only with the right tools.
edit on 31-3-2011 by RSF77 because: (no reason given)

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