This thread will be primarily for foreign fighter/attack aircraft development: Eurofighter, Rafale, Gripen, Sukhois, MiGs, Indian, Chinese, etc.

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Dassault accelerates Rafale F2 testing

Flight International
Nov 11, 2003

Dassault is speeding up Rafale test and development work at Istres, France, as it prepares to deliver the first F2 standard fighters next year.

The Rafale F2 adds air-to-ground capability to the F1's air-to-air mission, and includes a combined forward-looking TV and infrared sensor, Link 16 datalink, digital database terrain-following capability and provision for the MBDA Scalp EG long-range cruise and AASM air-to-surface missiles. An in-flight refuelling pod will be available on naval variants of the fighter.

The first air force and navy F2s are due for delivery next year, and a full air force squadron based at St Dizier should be operational by early 2005. Yves Robins, Dassault Aviation vice-president international relations, defence, says the manufacturer is planning to deliver six Rafales next year and up to 15 annually in subsequent years, depending on the French government's procurement timetable.

Robins says the delay in the French government's finalisation of funds for a second tranche of 59 Rafales is financial rather than technical (Flight International, 21-27 October). "The government's commitment to 294 Rafales is not in question, but it's up to them how many years they want to spread the acquisition over," he says, adding that later acquisition would lead to more-capable aircraft.

A total of 13 F1 standard Rafales have been delivered to date - 10 single-seat Rafale Ms on the navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier form the only operational squadron, and two two-seat Rafale Bs and one single-seat Rafale C are with the air force's test and evaluation unit. Eventually, about 40 of the navy's 60 Rafales will be two-seater Rafale Ns, and more than half the air force's aircraft will be Rafale Bs.

Preparations are under way for the first live firing of the Scalp EG from the Rafale. Recent tests include the simultaneous firing of two MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles (AAM) at two jamming targets, and Dassault has also studied mounting the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range AAM on the Rafale.

The fully multirole, reconnaissance-capable F3 version of the Rafale will be delivered from2007. Three-dimensional radar terrain-following will replace the F2's digital database and the F3will also incorporate an MBDA AM39 Exocet and second generation ASMP air-launched nuclear missile capability.

(Source: Eurofighter Typhoon; issued Dec. 11, 2003)

Elsewhere in the Eurofighter fleet, flight testing and clearances for delivery of aircraft to the four partner nations have moved on a pace.

Eurofighter DA1 EADS CASA, Getafe, Spain - Eurofighter Typhoon DA1 has completed a first series of air-to-surface weapons flight test. The aircraft was armed with two 2000lb GBU-10 weapons, fitted under the wing in the central station. The flight lasted 55 minutes and during this time, EADS CASA Test Pilot Alfonso de Castro, performed different flight conditions at altitudes from 10,000 to 40,000 feet and at speeds of M 0.4 - M 0.9.

Eurofighter Typhoon will conduct nine more GBU-10 flight tests before the end of the year. The programme will then continue testing different air-to-surface weapons and stores. Testing will involve Development Aircraft and Series Production Aircraft including the first single-seat production aircraft IPA 4. IPA4 is expected to make its maiden flight by the end of the year. IPA 4 is currently in the final stages of testing at the EADS CASA Military Aircraft final assembly line in Spain.

Eurofighter Typhoon DA7 Air Weapons Range, Decimomannu, Sardinia – DA7 has completed a number of key milestones in firing trials conducted over the last ten days at the Air Weapons Range in Decimomannu. Tests included AIM-9L Sidewinder firing trials from the outboard wing station - conducted by Marco Venanzetti, Alenia Aeronautica, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Test Pilot. A second series of trials featured firing tests from the outboard wing station of the new generation short range air-to-air missile – ASRAAM. This trial was undertaken by Matteo Maurizio, Alenia Aeronautica, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Test Pilot.

Commenting on this recent activity Filippo Bagnato, Chief Operating Officer, Eurofighter GmbH stated ‘The pace of flight testing and clearances for the Eurofighter fleet is now proceeding at a good pace. Over the next weeks I am confident in our ability to deliver aircraft to each of the four partner nations air forces and to start flight trials with the first production single seat aircraft.

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Eurofighter Typhoon on Top of the World

(Source: Eurofighter Typhoon; issued Dec. 11, 2003)

Eurofighter Typhoon today participated in a memorial event organized by the Italian Ministry of Defence to celebrate 100years of manned flight and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the famous Italian racing driver, Nuvolari.

The event took place at the Italian Aeronautica Militare air base at Grosseto, home of the 4th Stormo (Wing) comprising 9th and 20th Squadrons – the first Italian units to receive Typhoon in Italian service.

The event featured a unique presentation of Eurofighter Typhoon IPA 2, flown by Alenia Aeronautica Chief Defence Aircraft Test Pilot, Maurizio Cheli, and the Ferrari F1 F2003-GA car driven by F1 2003 World Champion, Michael Schumacher. The presentation included a series of race challenges over 600m, 900m and 1200m. The challenge is a modern day reenactment of the historic challenge between an Alfa Romeo 8C2300, driven at that time by Nuvolari, and a Tiger Moth that first took place in 1931. To mark this unique occasion the Alfa Romeo and Tiger Moth also re-ran their historic challenge.

Results:

Challenge 1 – 600m
--Eurofighter Typhoon IPA2 - 9.6 secs
--Ferrari F1 F2003-GA - 9.4 secs

Challenge 2 – 1200m
--Eurofighter Typhoon IPA2 - 14.2 secs
--Ferrari F1 F2003-GA - 16.7 secs

Challenge 3 – 900m
--Eurofighter Typhoon IPA2 - 13.0 secs
--Ferrari F1 F2003-GA - 13.2 secs


Following the challenge a presentation was made to the two competitors by Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence, Filippo Berselli.

Commenting on the event Chief Executive Officer Eurofighter GmbH stated ‘This challenge represents a demonstration of excellence for both motor racing and aeronautical engineering in delivering world beating technology. The spirit of the occasion and the two competitors also highlights the long and historic connection between these two challenging and exciting industries.’

Eurofighter tests

Flight International 06 Jan 2004

The Eurofighter development aircraft (DA) fleet has completed a series of firing trials of MBDA's ASRAAM and Raytheon's AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. Alenia Aeronautica of Italy's DA7 aircraft completed a 10-day series of tests at the Decimomannu air weapons range in Sardinia in early December. Germany, Italy and Spain will eventually field BGT's IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile with their Eurofighter fleets, while the UK Royal Air Force's Typhoons will deploy the in-service ASRAAM.

The Upgrade of the Spanish Air Force F-18 Hornet Fleet Has Started

(Source: EADS Military Aircraft; issued Jan. 15, 2004)

MADRID --- Last December 29, once finalised the development phase, the Spanish Air Force and EADS CASA Military Aircraft have signed a contract, valued aprox. 186 Millions Euros with a duration of four years, for the F-18 Hornet fleet mid life upgrade.

Today the first aircraft, serial nº 62, belonging to Ala 12 (Wing) based at Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), has landed at the company facilities in Getafe, where the upgrade works will be carried out. The arrival at the hangar is scheduled with a rhythm of one aircraft per month. EADS CASA Military Aircraft is planning to deliver to the SpAF, at least, dos aircraft before the end of this year.

The software team of the Spanish Air Force Armament and Experimental Logistics Centre (CLAEX) and EADS CASA Military Aircraft have actively collaborated in the design and development of the software and in the integration and testing of the new avionics equipment, as well as in the complete development of the modified system integration software.

“This upgrade is very important for our Air Force, that participates continuously in the OTAN entrusted missions and that from now on will rely on the highest equipment levels offered by the most pre-eminent Air Forces. The upgraded F-18, together with the Eurofighter, will guarantee a modern, precise, functional and tactical defence thanks to the adopted advanced technology”, said Pablo de Bergia, President of de EADS CASA Military Aircraft.

New characteristics of the upgraded aircraft:

--Tactical computer TPAC, high speed multiprocessor, 6 buses 1553 to wing tip, 4 digital graphics channels and associated software
--Two multifunctional colour screens
--Upgraded communications systems (Heve-Quick II radios)
--Inertial GPS navigation system
--Full targets identification capacity
--Cockpit and external lights compatible with night vision
--Digital mission recording system
--MIDS pre-installation
--IDM (Improved Data Modem)

(Source: Reuters; published Jan. 23, 2004)

STOCKHOLM --- The Swedish air force said on Friday its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, a model offered to the air force of Brazil, had suffered technical problems prompting some restrictions on flights at night and in cloudy weather.

The planes -- built by Gripen International, a consortium co-owned by Swedish aerospace and defence group Saab and Britain's BAE Systems -- have already been sold to South Africa and Hungary.

The Czech Republic decided last month to lease 14 new Gripen fighters for 10 years, saying it had chosen the Swedish jet and rejected a rival offer for U.S. Lockheed Martin's F-16 mainly on technical merit.

Swedish public service SR radio news reported that radars on Gripen jets had ceased to function on at least 10 occasions in the past two years -- hampering navigation and leading to flight restrictions.

The air force inspector, Major-General Jan Andersson, acknowledged 15 such operational restrictions but classified these as normal procedure for handling technology glitches. "We reject totally any suggestions of significant problems relating to Gripen´s avionics systems," he said in a statement.

Gripen International spokesman Owe Wagermark said the fighter jet's electronic communications system had suffered some teething problems. "The problem is being fixed," he said.

Brazil will select, perhaps by the end of this month, the winner of an initial contract for 12 fighter jets worth up to $700 million.

In addition to Gripen International and Lockheed Martin, Brazil's Embraer together with France's Dassault Aviation as well as the Russian makers of Sukhoi and MiG jets have submitted offers.

Brazil's fighter jet purchase would be Latin America's biggest arms contract in years.

Russian air force to concentrate budget on upgrading strategic and tactical aircraft and SAMs

Flight International 27 Jan 2004

The Russian air force will concentrate its limited 2004 budget on upgrading its strategic and tactical aircraft and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, and acquiring a limited amount of new equipment for evaluation by combat units.

The air force intends to equip one aviation regiment with the upgraded Sukhoi Su-27SM fighter this year. The service received its first five modernised aircraft last December, and will hand over a further 20 airframes for conversion at Sukhoi's KnAAPO plant. It will begin operational trials later this year with the developmental Su-34 (Su-27IB) strike aircraft, which made its flight debut last month. An upgrade to the air force's Su-25 ground-attack aircraft is unlikely to extend beyond re-equipping one regiment. "Su-25s are able to perform current tasks, but it is time to think of a new design," says air force commander Col Gen Vladimir Mikhailov.

The air force's Tupolev Tu-95MS and Tu-160 bombers will receive navigation, targeting and weapon systems improvements, with a focus on air-launched weapons.

Mikhailov says the air force remains under-resourced, having been allocated around 15% of the national defence budget. The service raised additional funds last year through the sale or lease of redundant and excess hardware.

The air force is also considering other options for its redundant and excess aircraft.

(Source: French Ministry of Defence; issued Feb. 3, 2004)

The Ministry of Defence confirms that Mrs. Alliot-Marie, minister of defence, has decided an audit of the Rafale program, notably to determine the technical and financial impact of integrating complementary services and capabilities, and the evolution of payment and invoicing schedules.

Various solutions to these issues are being examined.

In any case, no major program milestone will be affected: the schedule of operational milestones set out by the multiyear defense blueprint will be met; the air force’s first operational Rafale squadron, based at Saint Dizier, will enter service in 2006 as planned; and the first nuclear-capable squadron will enter service in 2008.

Compared to these goals, additional decisions regarding the delivery rates of aircraft already on order may be taken; any such decision will however have no impact on the coherence of the production organisation. In particular, a second multiyear order of Rafale aircraft will be awarded in the course of 2004.

Regarding the contract for the development of the F3 standard, its technical definition was completed at the end of 2003; the procedure for the approval of the related contract has been audited and authorized, and the defense ministry intends to award the contract by the end of this month.

quote:

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Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
_(Source: Reuters; published Jan. 23, 2004)_

STOCKHOLM --- The Swedish air force said on Friday its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, a model offered to the air force of Brazil, had suffered technical problems prompting some restrictions on flights at night and in cloudy weather.

The planes -- built by Gripen International, a consortium co-owned by Swedish aerospace and defence group Saab and Britain's BAE Systems -- have already been sold to South Africa and Hungary.

The Czech Republic decided last month to lease 14 new Gripen fighters for 10 years, saying it had chosen the Swedish jet and rejected a rival offer for U.S. Lockheed Martin's F-16 mainly on technical merit.

Swedish public service SR radio news reported that radars on Gripen jets had ceased to function on at least 10 occasions in the past two years -- hampering navigation and leading to flight restrictions.

The air force inspector, Major-General Jan Andersson, acknowledged 15 such operational restrictions but classified these as normal procedure for handling technology glitches. "We reject totally any suggestions of significant problems relating to Gripen´s avionics systems," he said in a statement.

Gripen International spokesman Owe Wagermark said the fighter jet's electronic communications system had suffered some teething problems. "The problem is being fixed," he said.

Brazil will select, perhaps by the end of this month, the winner of an initial contract for 12 fighter jets worth up to $700 million.

In addition to Gripen International and Lockheed Martin, Brazil's Embraer together with France's Dassault Aviation as well as the Russian makers of Sukhoi and MiG jets have submitted offers.

Brazil's fighter jet purchase would be Latin America's biggest arms contract in years.

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Seems the computers handling the instability steering system dies, for a while in certain flight modes, like when a a/c trails another and comes too close, and the air disturbance by the first fighter have an impact on the trailing a/c.
seems the latest incident was about this, and the pilot almost ejected, when his a/c got uncontrollable for a while.

[This message was edited by komma2 on Thursday, 05 February 2004 at 02:03.]

Indian-Russian fifth generation fighter

Flight International 3-Feb-04

India and Russia will jointly develop a new fifth-generation fighter aircraft, under an agreement concluded during Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov's recent visit to New Delhi. India's Hindustan Aeronautics and Russia's Sukhoi design bureau will collaborate on the joint project, which is expected to cost around $2 billion. Design and development work on the Sukhoi-derivative aircraft will take between five and seven years, with initial production slated for 2010.

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I bet Israel will become a partner in this program as well.

France to audit Rafale programme

Flight International 10-Feb-2004

French defence minister Michèle Alliot-Marie has asked for an audit of the Rafale fighter programme to evaluate the technological and financial impact of a dispute with Dassault Aviation. Thiscentres on who should meet the costs of replacing obsolete components used in the Rafale F1 air-superiority version.

One option is to slip the delivery of 11 aircraft until 2008, which would save the defence ministry c550 million ($680 million)from its current five-year procurement budget.

Dassault has been negotiating the components issue with the government for several months. "The dispute centres on electronic components that are 10 years out of date. We are not to blame if the programme is 10 years behind schedule, so we are arguing over who should pay to replace them," the company says.

A decision to slip deliveries would see production slowed from two aircraft a month to one-and-a-half from 2006. If approved, the air force would receive 12 of its 13 planned aircraft that year, and the navy five, instead of six. Sixteen would be delivered in 2007, against the 20 initially planned, and 17 in 2008, down from 22.

The defence ministry and Dassault say the dispute will not affect France's total requirement for 294 Rafales. The defence ministry says it will place a contract for the development of the Rafale F3 multirole version before the end of this month, and place its second order for 59 aircraft this year.

Italian Air Force Gets the First Eurofighter

(Source: Italian AirForce via Alenia Aeronautica; issued Feb. 20, 2004)

The first Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft was delivered 20 February to Cameri Air Base after Italian Air Force and Alenia Aeronautica concluded the necessary acceptance procedures.

The Base Aircraft Maintenance Wing will use the jet for the initial training of Air Force personnel.

The Typhoon, a two-seat aircraft called IT001, is the first of 121 Eurofighter’s to be delivered to Italian Air Force, while Grosseto AFB, home of 4th FW, will shortly receive the second jet (IT002).

Eurofighter, developed and produced in Italy by Alenia Aeronautica (aircraft) and Avio S.p.A. (engine), is an air superiority fighter aircraft that will replace the F-104 Starfighter in the air defence of national airspace.

The aircraft, capable also of performing air-to-ground mission, can be air-refuelled, and carries last generation radar, weapon and avionics.

The production of Eurofighter has been planned for 620 aircraft: United Kingdom (232), Germany (180), Italy (121) and Spain (87).

In addition, the aircraft has been ordered by Austrian Air Force, has been selected by Greece and down-selected by Singapore.

Spanish Single-Seat Eurofighter Airborne

(Source: EADS Military Aircraft; issued Feb. 27, 2004)

MADRID --- This afternoon the aircraft registered as PS001, the fourth Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA4) successfully carried out its first flight. This new Eurofighter test aircraft assembled and operated by EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft, implements the most advanced technology of the programme.

Among several new features, the aircraft stands out by being the first single-seat production aircraft coming out of the final assembly line. IPA4 offers the highest hardware/software integration, which technically and functionally means the evolution of the systems towards new capacities. IPA4 also incorporates an enhanced EJ200 standard engine that has been tested in the air for the first time during its maiden flight.

As well as the other aircraft destined for flight-tests, the main objective of IPA4 is to continue with the certification of the design and functionality of the systems under EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft until the operational demonstration of the client specific requirements are obtained. The test plans involve flights directed towards verifying the new communications functionalities with Audio and MIDS. Moreover testing of air-to-surface armaments launches is also planned.

A special chapter will be dedicated to the environmental flight-testing. EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft, leader of the environment control systems, is responsible for demonstrating the complete functionality of the aircraft in extreme temperature conditions.

To fulfil these objectives IPA4 will carry out flight-testing in extremely cold weather next winter and hot weather testing during the summer of 2005.

Pablo de Bergia, President and CEO of the division in Spain manifested his satisfaction for the re-launch of flight-testing. “This programme is as alive as the first day. Although we have started delivering the first production units to the national customers, our duty is far from finished. With IPA4 we will keep on developing technology and demonstrating the continuous growth of the weapon system Eurofighter” he said.

Su-34 begins precision-guided munition trials

Flight International 9-Mar-04

Sukhoi's Su-34 bomber has deployed its first precision-guided munitions using navigation assistance from Glonass and Navstar satellite "double-GPS" receivers. The aircraft has demonstrated a targeting accuracy within several metres, says Sukhoi. The trials will also include strikes using data collected by satellites equipped with electro-optical and synthetic-aperture radar sensors.

Hungarian Gripen Program Progresses

(Source: Gripen International; web posted Mar. 12, 2004)

Ongoing and coming activities within the Gripen for Hungary program. During 2004 and 2005 there will be a lot of activities within the Gripen for Hungary program. Besides from the production of the aircraft, the training of Hungarian personnel will start.

Status of the Gripen for Hungary program:

++4 aircraft in production right now, Mars 2004

++Operational familiarization-training course in April 2004 (in November 2003 we had a technical training-training course)

++Pilot centrifuge and parasailing training in August 2004

++Tests with the Laser Guided Pod (Litening GIII) continues in 2004

++In the summer of 2004 we will start tests with Air-Air-Refueling from a Swedish Air Force C-130 Hercules

++Final assembly of the first Hungarian Gripen in Linköping, October 1, 2004

++Hungarian pilots will start Gripen training in the beginning of 2005, 3 groups 5 in each group

++Hungarian technicians also start their Gripen training in 2005, 2 groups 19 in each group

Update: FC-1/JF-17

Flight International 23-Mar-2004

Chengdu Aircraft has completed around 20 sorties of its first FC-1/JF-17 prototype since the type made its maiden flight last August. The company will roll out a second flying prototype at the end of this month, while the programme's third flight-test airframe and a fatigue-test article are in assembly. A fifth, static-test article is already in use.

Russia's Klimov RD-93 has been picked to power the fighter, and the prototype aircraft are equipped with Chinese avionics. A more advanced avionics suite will be installed after the project's performance evaluation phase concludes late this year and before the systems evaluation phase begins.

Pakistan, expected to acquire about 200 JF-17s, will decide on an avionics package next year. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex-assembled Fiar Grifo S7 and Elta EL/M-2032 fire-control radars are among the systems under consideration to equip its aircraft.

quote:

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Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
_Update: FC-1/JF-17_

_Flight International 23-Mar-2004_

Chengdu Aircraft has completed around 20 sorties of its first FC-1/JF-17 prototype since the type made its maiden flight last August. The company will roll out a second flying prototype at the end of this month, while the programme's third flight-test airframe and a fatigue-test article are in assembly. A fifth, static-test article is already in use.

Russia's Klimov RD-93 has been picked to power the fighter, and the prototype aircraft are equipped with Chinese avionics. A more advanced avionics suite will be installed after the project's performance evaluation phase concludes late this year and before the systems evaluation phase begins.

Pakistan, expected to acquire about 200 JF-17s, will decide on an avionics package next year. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex-assembled Fiar Grifo S7 and Elta EL/M-2032 fire-control radars are among the systems under consideration to equip its aircraft.

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/aproudam.gif

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In what regard does the JF-17 differs from the chinese "Lavi" look-a-like J-10?

The JF-17/FC-1 is a light air defense fighter...(similar to F-5E/F)...and the J-10 will be in the "multi-role fighter" class...(similar to F-16C/D)

quote:

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Originally posted by LemHoskins:
The JF-17/FC-1 is a light air defense fighter...(similar to F-5E/F)...and the J-10 will be in the "multi-role fighter" class...(similar to F-16C/D)

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I guess You are right there. I think there is much talk in Pakistan to acquire this JF-17 fighter. Instead of the F-16s they ordered in the 1980ies. A deal which was later shelved after the paki's nuclear activities.

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