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Who will win the Indian Navy’s new fighter jet contract? F/A 18 or Rafale

Who will win the Indian Navy's new fighter jet contract? F/A 18 or Rafale

As India continues to upgrade its defense fence around its territory, it is also updating its fleet on the oceans. India recently launched the indigenously built Vikrant aircraft carrier and is now looking for some of the most advanced and eligible fighter jets to operate from the new aircraft carrier.

The Indian Navy initially announced a tender for 57 jets in 2017. It was estimated to be worth at least $6.6 billion at the time. The Indian Navy will initially purchase 26 fighter jets, 18 of which will be single-seaters and the remaining eight will be two-seaters.

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Let us take a look at the capacity of the Vikrant aircraft carrier, where this aircraft is about to be operated. The massive 14 decks and 2,300 compartments of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier can carry 1,700 sailors and officers. Most notably, it can house 30 MiG fighters and helicopters. It has a runway length of 206 meters and a short take-off position of 145 metres.

The new aircraft carrier for India was designed as a ski-jump launch ship, as opposed to many other such carriers, which use a catapult launch for their jets. As a result, the aircraft chosen by the Indian Navy must be capable of taking off in this manner while carrying all weapon systems and a full fuel load.

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IAC VIKRANT was built with 23,000 tonnes of military grade steel. An indigenous aircraft carrier has cost India 23,000 crore rupees to design and build.

The Navy intends to combine its multi-role carrier-based fighter jet procurement tender with the ongoing IAF tender for 114 fighters.

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According to the Navy, they were looking for an aircraft that could deliver nuclear loads, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and precision-guided bombs. Last month, the Rafale-M jet was tested for 12 days in Goa. On May 21, the super hornet US F-18 fighters will be tested for INS Vikrant in Goa.

Boeing, the US defence giant, will send two F-18 Super Hornet fighters to the Indian Navy for flight tests this month. Both fighters will depart from the United States with mid-air refuelling. The last P-8I poseidon is scheduled to be delivered on the same day.

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What would be a better fit for India’s future fighter for an aircraft carrier? Well, it all depends on the various factors that come into play here. Let’s look at the operation’s specifications and capabilities.

The Rafale’s wingspan is 35 feet 9 inches, whereas the FA 18’s is 44 feet 8.5 inches. After folding, the Super Hornet’s wingspan is reduced to 30.5 feet, which is 5 feet smaller than the Rafale. The Russian MiG-29K has a wingspan of 39.4 feet, and the present carrier can accommodate up to 30 fighters, so space may not be an issue.

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There are two stronger contenders for this tender: Rafale from France and F18 from the United States.

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Dassualt, a French aviation company, manufactures the Rafale. The Rafale is already in service with the Indian Air Force. It is a multirole twin engine fighter. India possesses 36 fighter jets.

Because naval bases have fewer operating runways for takeoff and landing, they have some special requirements. However, because the Indian aircraft carrier has ski-jump runways, it will undoubtedly require some appropriate aircraft for operations. Catapults were used by a few carriers to launch aircraft. Catapult-launched aircraft can carry more weight than ski-jump-launched aircraft.

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In 2004, the Rafale Marine entered service with the French Navy. In fact, the Rafale Marine variant comes before the Rafale Air Force variant. While the two aircraft are nearly identical, the Rafale Marine is heavier due to a reinforced undercarriage and nose wheel to withstand the impact of carrier take-offs and landings, as well as a stronger ‘arrester’ hook to catch the wires that bring the aircraft to a halt on landing.

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Rafale Marine has some limitations as well. The Rafale Marine is only available in a single-seat configuration, whereas the Super Hornet is available in both single- and two-seat configurations. The Rafale Marine is also unable to fold its wings while on deck, which is a significant disadvantage given the limited space on aircraft carriers. The Super Hornet has the ability to do so.

The Rafale Marine jet is equipped with an Exocet anti-ship missile, two 2,000-liter fuel tanks, and four MICA air-to-air missiles. According to French analysts, this configuration demonstrated that the Rafale Marine could take off from a ski-jump with an external load of more than 5.5 tonnes.

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India is about to sign a new multibillion-dollar deal with the US for P-8I sub-killers.

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variant. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants of the F/A-18C and D Hornet are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet.

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It is highlighted with The ski-jump ramp employs what naval experts refer to as STOBAR (short take-off but arrested recovery) technology.

Boeing Delivers First Operational Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet to the U.S. Navy

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This aircraft was introduced in 1999 and is currently in service with the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Kuwait Air Force.

The F18 has advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, large cockpit displays, and a “open systems” architecture that allows for easier electronic upgrades.

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Is India planning to purchase more Chinook helicopters?

The Super Hornet had a twin-seat variant that flew off aircraft carriers, whereas the Rafale had only a single-seat version. Twin-seat jets are thought to be better suited for long-distance missions and tasks like electronic warfare and ground attack.

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Please let us know what you think about both fighter jets in the comments section.


 

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons – Air Marshal GS Bedi’s Perspective

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons - Air Marshal GS Bedi's Perspective

Air Marshal GS Bedi, a renowned fighter jet pilot and experienced crew member, recently participated in a YouTube interview with Def Talks hosted by Aadi. During the interview, he provided insights into the recent Tejas aircraft crash in Rajasthan, which marks one of the first crashes involving an aircraft from the Tejas family since its production commenced 20 years ago.

Numerous questions have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the Tejas aircraft crash and the potential causes of failure. Air Marshal Bedi adeptly addressed these concerns by outlining possible scenarios that could have led to the crash. His expertise shed light on the complexities involved in such incidents and provided valuable perspective on the aviation community’s understanding of the event.

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At the outset, Tejas lacked a simulator and a trainer aircraft for initial training. However, pilots were provided with simulation trials before flying the Tejas aircraft. Initial reviews indicated stability during flight, with the aircraft maintaining a straight glide. However, there was an incident where the aircraft experienced an engine malfunction, prompting the pilot to eject safely.

Pilot Safe Ejections

The decision to eject was made as a precautionary measure, considering the aircraft’s low altitude and steep descent angle. With the aircraft’s altitude dropping rapidly, attempting to balance and land it was deemed too risky. Ejecting ensured the pilot’s safety, as deploying a parachute at such low altitudes could have been disastrous.

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He chose to eject to ensure a safer distance from the ground. The aircraft is at an angle of less than 3 degrees during the approach. At a height of 100 meters, the aircraft is nearly 20 times its length away from the ground. This means the touchdown point will be approximately 4 kilometers ahead.

However, as the altitude decreases, the approach becomes too short due to the rapid descent rate. Consequently, the pilot opts to eject rather than attempt to stabilize the aircraft for a ground landing. If he had not ejected, there’s a high probability that his parachute would have deployed at that low altitude.

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LCA Tejas engine Issue

Investigations revealed the engine malfunction was likely due to lubrication issues or other technical faults. Such split-second decisions underscore the potentially catastrophic outcomes that can result from technical failures.

The pilot involved was highly experienced and well-trained for airshow displays, suggesting timely decision-making. Nevertheless, accidents can stem from technical glitches, human errors, or unforeseen circumstances like bird strikes.

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Air Marshal Bedi emphasized the importance of pilots being trained for emergency situations, including ejecting from the aircraft when control is lost. Despite advancements in technology, technical issues remain unpredictable, necessitating ongoing learning and improvements in aircraft systems.

Today, the Tejas mk1A aircraft completed its inaugural flight at the Bangalore station, marking the dawn of a new, advanced version of the Tejas aircraft. This iteration boasts enhanced avionics and improved aircraft structure.

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Aerospace

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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Aerospace

Qantas Airbus A330 Makes Safe Landing After Engine Blowout

Woman spends tortuous three months trying to resolve huge Qantas errors

A Qantas Airbus A330 Aircraft, flight number QF781, has landed safely without incident in
Perth after the passengers on the Perth-bound flight reported hearing a ‘loud bang’ from one
side of the twin-engined plane engine. The Airbus A330 aircraft made a priority landing at
Perth Airport around 9:37pm local time on 25 March, arriving approximately 52 minutes
behind schedule.


Upon landing, emergency services met with the aircraft on the tarmac. However, the aircraft
taxied to the gate without assistance, with the passengers disembarking normally.
The ‘loud bang’ heard by passengers happened due to a mid-air engine blowout, therefore
resulting in the pilots having to manually shut off the affected engine, together with
requesting a priority landing into Perth Airport. Qantas also added in a statement that the
Airbus A330 aircraft was designed to operate with one engine too.

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Qantas QF781 is a daily scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth, utilising the Airbus A330
on the route. The Aircraft in question is VH-EBA, an approximately 21 years aircraft,
equipped with 2 GE CF6 engines according to airfleets.net. The Airbus A330 have been a
frequent regional workhorse in Qantas’ fleet, connecting major australian cities with major
destinations within Asia. the Airbus A330 is also used on high-density domestic routes,
similar to QF781, from Melbourne to Perth.

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Engine Issues – Should you be concerned?


While engine issues are highly uncommon due to the stringent checks and quality control on
each component within the engine, there might still be exceptional occasions where such
incidents happen. However, while recognising the risks of dual engines, Aircraft
Manufacturers and Organisations have actually came up with standards so as to ensure that
an aircraft can also land on a single engine, similar to what we saw on QF781.


One of the most well known standard is Extended-range Twin-engine Operations
Performance Standards (ETOPS) which is an acronym for twin-engine operation in an
airspace further than one hour from a diversion airport at a designated one engine
inoperable speed. This ensures that twin-engined aircraft could safely operate routes over
water or remote land without an alternative airport near the flight path, which once required
aircraft with 3 or 4 engines to fly on that route.

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In this case, the Airbus A330 has been certified to fly ‘Beyond ETOPS 180’, and have
received ETOPS 240 certification, which is a certification to enable the twin-engined aircraft
to fly for up to a maximum of 240 minutes with 1 engine inoperative in a cruise condition.
Currently, most twin-engined widebody aircraft in operation would generally have an ETOPS
certification of at least ETOPS 180, with the new Airbus A321LR also having ETOPS 180
certification, therefore enabling the narrowbody to fly long haul flights.

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Aerospace

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced his resignation amidst the ongoing 737 MAX crisis, signaling a significant top management shakeup at the aerospace giant.

While Calhoun will continue leading the company until the end of 2024, his decision comes amid mounting pressure following a series of setbacks, including the recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. This departure coincides with the retirement of Boeing Commercial President and CEO Stan Deal, who is succeeded by Stephanie Pope, the current Chief Operating Officer.

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The announcement, made by Larry Kellner, boeing products chairman, outlines a broader restructuring within the company’s leadership. Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing director since 2020 and former CEO of Qualcomm, will take over as chairman and lead the board in selecting a new CEO. This strategic move comes at a critical juncture as boeing airplanes
faces intense regulatory scrutiny and production constraints due to safety and quality issues.

The market’s initial response to the news was positive, with Boeing’s shares rising by 2 percent before regular trading. However, the boeing aircraft company stock had experienced a significant decline earlier in the year, reflecting investor concerns about boeing distribution aviall the ongoing challenges and uncertainties surrounding the 737 MAX program.

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Calhoun stressed the company’s commitment to transparency, safety, and quality in a letter to employees.“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he said.

“The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years.”

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