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aviationweek.com...
The Flanker pilots were also able to use their thrust-vectoring control (TVC) “super-maneuverability” capability activated by flipping a switch in the cockpit. One pilot told Aviation Week that they had used the yaw capability of the TVC to remain inside the tight turn radius of the Typhoon in order to keep the Typhoon in missile launch parameters.
It was not possible to assess which aircraft, if any, had the upper hand in air combat, pilots and commanders remained tight lipped on the results of any dogfighting.
RAF Wg. Cmdr. Chris Moon, commanding officer of 3 (Fighter) Sqn which led the exercise said that participants had adopted a “crawl, walk, run approach” with Indian crews familiarizing themselves with U.K. airspace regulations before taking on the Typhoons in 1vs1, 2vs1 and increasingly complex engagements. The last exercise mission saw all four Flankers working with six Typhoons to escort and support two C-130J Hercules on a paradropping mission. They were opposed by 8-10 red-air Typhoons.
The exercise also saw the use of an Indian C-17 and an Il-78 tanker aircraft. The Il-78 operated alongside an RAF A330 Voyager tanker over the North Sea. While the Su-30s could have refueled from the Voyager, they were not cleared to, as a result fighters refueled from their national assets.
Sources from the RAF state, however, that Indian planes were being 'bedded in' to new terrain and effectively shown the ropes. The RAF were "introducing them to the airspace", putting the Typhoons up against the Sukhois in something more akin to a pigeon-shooting exercise, rather than a combat exercise, so the Indian pilots could get their bearings.
"Asked about the performance of IAF pilots in these Large Force Engagements, Group Captain Srivastav told NDTV his pilots performed "fairly well" though "quantifying [the results] is difficult"."
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: crazyewok
The results were 12-0 in favor of the Indians according to the Indians, which doesn't really mean much without knowing the ROE for the training.
According to the RAF, the Typhoons were fighting handicapped.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: crazyewok
Just look at other exercises. When the US went to India the results were ugly. When India came to Red Flag the results were completely different. It's all about the ROE of the exercise. Numbers don't mean anything without knowing what the ROE was.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: crazyewok
The RAF in many areas is in better shape than we are. Your primary fighter held its own at worst against the F-22 in a knife fight. Even at reduced numbers you'll be able to hold your own easily.