reply to post by CreeWolf
so other than a misinformed `opinion` you offer no information whatsoever as to why you think the Rafale (with AESA now) or the J-10 (which china
bought the plans for the LAVI , itself based upon the F-16) are in your words `crap`
edit:
let me point a few details of the J-10 for you:
the engine is an AL-31FN (the domestic WS-10A isn`t ready yet) which prduces 27,000 lb thrust the chinese built will produce 29,000 lb thrust
compare to the F-16 block 50 which has the GE F110-GE-129 which also produces 29,000 lb thrust, the gripen which has 18k thrust and the typhoon which
has a pair of EJ200 engines , each making 13k thrust (total about 26k)
the rafale has a pair of 17000 thrust engines (snecma-M88)
so not short on power
weight
the J-10 weighs in at 18 tons
same as the gripen (again 18 tons) but slightly more than the F-16 at 12 tons , and 1/2 the weight of the porker called the Typhoon - a larger 34 tons
there, with the rafale very much similar to the typhoon at around 34 tons.
payload?
well the J-10 can carry around 9 tons very similar to the F-16 , gripen is less at 8 tons - the number i can find for the `big boys` are similar
again - pictures of the typhoon show it wuth 1 fuel tank and 8 1,000 lb paveway
fuel tanks weigh 1 kilogramme per litre (+ the tank iteself)
wing loading:
J-10 64 lb/ft
F-16 84 lb/ft
Gripen 68 lb/ft
Typhoon 63 lb/ft
Rafale 83 lb/ft
so not really a highly loaded wing either.
radar? appears at this time to be a version of the Zhuk as used on there own flankers - although it is reported to be fielding a chinese radar the
1471 which is better than the Zhuk with 15/4 (track and scane targets) and A2G capability.
electro optical tracking system - home bilt and better than anything russia can sell them - china wants a radar small enough so it can move the ImIR
system to the nose.
only typhoon has an IRST - none of the rest have them (yet)
so tell me again , why is the J-10 `crap`?
i would really compare this aircraft to the F-16 block 50 , both having features the other doesn`t - but very much a capable workhorse.
[edit on 19/11/08 by Harlequin]