Article

2008-05-14 India-Pakistan

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by john frum 2008-05-14 07:08|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 08:47|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 09:28|| Front Page Top

#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">Dogsbody 2008-05-14 11:15|| 2008-05-14 11:15|| Front Page Top

#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">RD 2008-05-14 11:26|| 2008-05-14 11:26|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 12:10|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 12:46|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 15:02|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 16:09|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 19:02|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-05-14 19:07|| Front Page Top

23:59 3dc
23:43 RD
23:39 trailing wife
23:38 Talibunny
23:34 swksvolFF
23:32 RD
23:21 RD
23:11 trailing wife
23:10 Mike
23:10 Mike
23:09 trailing wife
22:52 KBK
22:42 JosephMendiola
22:39 DarthVader
22:39 JosephMendiola
22:35 Frank G
22:34 JosephMendiola
22:31 JosephMendiola
22:21 tipover
22:10 Shieldwolf
22:08 OldSpook
22:06 JosephMendiola
22:03 JosephMendiola
22:02 Jan