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| India-Pakistan |
| Now Indian Navy wants Super Hornets too |
| 2008-05-14 |
| It is now sufficiently clear that the Indian Navy wants to be able to use the air force’s assets of war. In a revelation so far kept under wraps, the Navy has asked Boeing a contender for India’s $10-billion tender for 126 air force fighters if the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet can operate off the INS Vikramaditya, the rechristened Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov currently being refurbished in Russia for the Indian Navy. None of the fighters in the IAF’s existing fleet have the capability to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Boeing’s campaign manager for the Indian deal Michael E. Rietz has revealed that after detailed simulations conducted at the company’s test centres, the Super Hornet on offer to India, can in fact operate off the Gorshkov. The significance of Boeing’s finding lies in the fact that the Super Hornet – which by default is launched using a steam-powered catapult on American super-carriers – has never before been known to be able to take off from an angled ski-jump – the launch mechanism on India’s sole aircraft carrier INS Virat, as well as the Gorshkov and the under-construction indigenous aircraft carrier. Rietz told HT at Lemoore, which holds half of the US Navy’s striking power in the Pacific, “In our simulation, we discovered that not only could the Super Hornet take-off from a ski-jump, but could do so with a significant weapons load.” Landing the Super Hornet on the Gorshkov would pose no problem since the warship comes equipped with an arrester cable. The 16 MiG-29K fighters that will come with the Gorshkov will land using this “trap” method. A typical scenario illustrates the import of the newly identified ability. A Super Hornet flying with the air force from a shore base can fly hundreds of kilometres over the sea, then land on an aircraft carrier, refuel and proceed onward. The reach advantage it would give the aircraft is something the air force has only envisaged with mid-air refuellers so far. Aircraft carriers, by their very nature, can obviously stay out at sea for far longer. In 2004, the Navy had sent out a request for information to another American firm Northrop Grumman about whether the latter’s carrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-2 Hawkeye, could operate off the Gorshkov. However, plans to procure the aircraft in a ship-based role have since been shelved. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #10 As for the INDIAN NAVY, their trend is towards STRATEGIC MISSLE SUBMARINES + SLBMS-LACMS. Many pro-CHINA Netters view INdia as future CHINESE territory = proxy, AND INDIA KNOWS IT. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-05-14 19:07 |
| #9 I could be wrong, didn't the BRIT ROYAL NAVY jump-test the F18 on one of their carriers awhile back [1990's?], when they were considering replacing their HARRIERS wid STOBAR aircraft including USN types. IIRC, the F18 passed wid flying colors but lost anyway when Brit canceled the HARRIER replacement, due to budget + espec Euro politics??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-05-14 19:02 |
| #8 I doubt they plan to use the AF aircraft. They probably want to increase the order from 125 to 200 aircraft, with the additional 75 being Navy. They'll operate from naval air stations such as Goa or from the carriers if they really need to. They've already ordered additional airborne refuelling tankers. The Indian Navy MiG pilots are being trained right now in Florida, by the US Navy. |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-05-14 16:09 |
| #7 Sure, you can land an AF aircraft on the boat, but if you don't beef up the airframe, it tends to 'stretch' a bit. Don't see Boeing building 2 versions of the lawn dart (land and cv) while @ PAX river did a mini ski jump test with an early dart; the engineer forgot to compute the distance the aircraft would travel while the launch bar was transiting back to the 'stow' position: result, no nose gear ( ripped off just above the axle) 2 FODDED engines, and an air medal for the pilot that brought it home in one place. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2008-05-14 15:02 |
| #6 Let's sell them the B2 bomber and a few space satellites while we're at it? What's the point of giving away such a aircraft to a country that is so friendly to Iran, China, and Russia? |
| Posted by: Crolusing tse Tung2778 2008-05-14 12:46 |
| #5 What does India need these for? Are they planning on attacking around the rim of the Indian ocean? Their likely enemies share a land border. Very curious. My guess is this is a pride project. When I spoke to Indians in Hyderbad back in 98, none of them could explain why they needed a carrier but none of them were willing to even consider giving it up in exchange for an equal values worth of other military toys. When that happens you have a target, not a military asset. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-05-14 12:10 |
| #4 “In our simulation, we discovered that not only could the Super Hornet take-off from a ski-jump, but could do so with a significant weapons load.” LOL, I would hope so, afterall what's a launched Super Dart gonna do without a weapons load.. only air to air missions? |
| Posted by: RD 2008-05-14 11:26 |
| #3 Can't just tell some AF pilot "go land on the VVVVikramaditya today" Getting and keeping them qualified would be another can o' worms. |
| Posted by: Dogsbody 2008-05-14 11:15 |
| #2 A Super Hornet flying with the air force from a shore base can fly hundreds of kilometres over the sea, then land on an aircraft carrier, refuel and proceed onward. What kind of idiot idea is that? Refuel midair. |
| Posted by: gromky 2008-05-14 09:28 |
| #1 not only could the Super Hornet take-off from a ski-jump That's a scary thought. But the wing loading is only 3% more than the MiG-29. Better insist on the uprated engines anyway. |
| Posted by: ed 2008-05-14 08:47 |