Re-Opening F 22A Raptor Production Line

Re-Opening F 22A Raptor Production Line

    There is many officials in the US air force who repeatedly asks to reopen the F 22 A Raptor production line to produce more improved F 22 fighters for the US air force with possible export variant of F 22 to friendly countries, As latest the US Air force secretary Lee James too says the same in a seminar at Washington, However he didn't mentioned about the export variant of  F 22 raptor.

     The Raptor's production line was closed after seven years of serial production from two production lines, one is from Georgia another from Texas, Both of these plants produce more than 187 flying units with eight prototype variants, The Lockheed designed the Raptor to provide effective air superiority to the US air force for the next fifty years. Raptor accomplishes the Lockheed's and USAF's wish, The Raptor remain one of the best fighter jet in the world.

    US initially planned to produce more than seven hundred Raptors to support the F 15 in air superiority mission in any contested zone, Due to budget issues, the orders are reduced by more than 50%, later the same once again reduced by another half, which brings the total F 22 numbers by just 187. USAF lost three of it's Raptors in crashes, which remains 184 currently in service.

    Pratt&Whitney who produces the F 119 engines to the F 22 remain opens for spare part and additional engine production, they agreed to double the production if US government agreed to do so, Meanwhile production line in above mentioned plants is remains, the tooling and other machinery items couldn't be removed, They can run the production line within a year, If US orders to produce more Raptor's.

      Total program cost of the Raptor is more than $67 billions, which include Research and Development and production of 195 flying units, Lockheed produced nearly 195 flying units for the above mentioned cost. Compared to other fighters the Raptor's operating cost is very high, For one hour of flying mission F 22 spends nearly $70,000 worth of resources, which is more than fifty lakh's rupees per hour, the amount is triple than the F 16 operating cost.

    However the performance wise Raptor remains top, compared to all other fighters, The service availability rate of USAF F 22 remains some 80% which is one of the best known figure, Indian Su 30 MKI service availability rate is just below 55%,

    The problem in the F 22 is, It has less number of sortie rate, most probably each F 22 can perform only two sorties per day, even that they required special base setups for housing the fighters, Due to it's golden canopy and the radar absorbent materials. So handling the fighters need huge manpower and special care.

    That's the main reasons behind the early closure of F 22 production line, after F 22 US mulls into a multi national project of Joint strike fighter with increased ground strike capability and lesser air superiority capability, The F 35 gets serious comments from all over the world, which include many aviation experts, calling the F 35 could be a better option for strike not for air dominance.

     The F 22 has been once offered to America's closest ally, Israel and Japan, Israeli defense official once openly said in a seminar that Israel negotiating to buy 24 F 22 A units for the price tag of $200 million per plane, Japan and Australia too express interest of buying F 22, however US didn't allowed to sell those fighters, later they all ended up with F 35, which is lesser in price compared to F 22 A.

     More than five years after closure of F 22 production line, each from Russia, China, Japan builds their own fifth generation fighters, even performance wise the F 22 beat all other contenders. It's pretty good option for the US and Lockheed to reopening the F 22 production line and build a exported variant of F 22 to friendly countries, which include Israel, India, Japan and South Korea.

     India not ready to invest another huge billions into Russian aviation industry, The PAK FA and FGFA program almost hits a roadblock, India has some alternate solutions for fifth generation fighter jets, The US made F 35 or joining with Japanese ATD-X program.

    Also there is a huge opportunity for India to buy some three squadron of F 22 Raptors specially to counter Chinese air force J 20, J 31 and Su 35 S,  The F 22 is a proven platform with it's performance over Arabian Gulf and over Syrian air space. The Pakistani's too get handful numbers of J 31 or Su 35 S near future. So the need of modern fighter in IAF remains very important.

    Many military analysts thinks the export variant of F 22 could help the Indian Air force to counter balance the Chinese in Asian region, The Indian signature of CISMOA, LSA and BECA with US may easily open the doors of top end US arms to India. The Indian government soon will sign the above mentioned agreement to check China.

The Next Gen Long Range Strike Bomber

The Next Gen Long Range Strike Bomber

   The US aerospace giant Northrup Grumman secured the contract to Supply next generation long range Strike bombers to US Air Force. Companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin also participated in the contract, however due to the expertise in the Bomber development, Northrup Grumman won the tender. The actual development and project cost valued some $80 to $100 billions. The US government will provide some $60 billions just for development and another $20 billion for 100 bombers. As per contract Northrup will deliver the first LRS-B in 2020.

   Northrup Grumman is well known in stealth bomber development, the good example is B 2 Spirit. However the B 2 will not used for multi role operations. The B 2 only used for dropping guided bombs in contested air spaces and designed to perform Nuclear strike missions inside protected air space. The USAF currently operates only fifteen B 2 Bombers. The less number means due to the operational costs and mission needs. The B 2 is known for breaching any protected and communication denied air spaces to perform missions and safely return back to the base.

   The B 1 is the other hand designed by Rockwell to perform missions in safe airspace. The B1 specially designed to support US missions across the globe fighting against terrorism and conduct precision bombing in safe air space. USAF mission in Afghan, Iraq and current mission against ISIS is the good example of B1's capability striking targets pin point, The Bone or B-One carry's powerful camera's and EO Sensors to perform pin point strike against enemy ground targets. The Bone lacks in stealth, however it is designed with modern EW systems to spoof guided missiles.

    The Next Gen bomber LRS B could do all the above missions, The USAF facing guided missile threats allover the world. Small Mobile QR SAM's with engagement range up to 40,000 feet altitude is a threat to USAF bombers. B 1 has many external pods, like Targeting pods, navigational pods and EW Jammer Pods. A small visible external pod is enough to attract enemy attention even long away using Radar detection. So the new bomber will not carry anything on outside just like the B 2 Spirit to maintain the stealth signature.

   The Antenna's, EO systems, Targeting pods and EW systems will be fixed inside the Bomber. The high powerful high resolution camera's used  to identify ground threats like mobile air defense batteries and jamming systems also installed internally.  The Russians invested heavily in long range air defense systems and ground based communication denied systems to counter US fighters and Bombers.

Grumman B 2 Spirit

   The Russian S 400 air defense battery is very long range whose engagement range is more than 400 kilometers with active seeker and supported by long range radar's for higher kill probability. The S 400 also highly mobile system can be moved in a matter of time. Most of the US intelligence gathered by satellites only. The satellite information's are not highly accurate due to earth's curvature rotation and due to the mobile capability the systems can be can be easily moved. It's also very hard to detect the systems due to camouflage covers over the targets.

   The B 2 bombers can actually use the GPS guided bombs to hit stationary targets like Radar stations, Air bases and Hangers. The B 2 gets real time target information and location info from the spy satellite's . The Kosovo war is a good example, The B 2 dropped guided bombs in predesignated targets. which destroyed Radar stations, command centers and Air bases. However the situations are changed now, When coming to Russia they were much intelligent than the others. Most of the Russian anti air missiles and Radar systems are highly mobile which can pose serious threats to USAF, which can't be targeted using the GPS guided JDAM kits.

   The B 1 on the other side is a perfect choice to counter mobile targets, Fitted with high powerful long range passive radar along with Sniper laser targeting pods, The real time onboard system allows the B 1 can conduct strike missions in high precision even fast moving targets. The Bone can carry laser guided bombs to strike moving targets illuminated by laser beams. This is very useful when engaging fast moving targets like Tanks and high value targets. The Only problem in the B 1is  it's not a stealth platform, So it can't be used to conduct missions in contested airspace's like Russia, China and Iran the rival American enemies.

    The Communication jamming is the other technique used by the military's to counter air bound threats. Russians relay's on both ground based fixed jammer stations and mobile jammers. The Russians constructed a bigger ground based jamming station in occupied Ukrainian  territories. The system can jam any kind of communication channels within the 150 kilometer of radius, like data link,satellite communications and even IFF responders signals too. Entering such communication denied air space is like going to enemy's cave blindly. The Russians almost controlled entire Ukrainian airspace from further NATO led intervention to help Ukrainian forces to recapture the lost grounds.

   The ground based communication jamming system known as R 330 Zhytel which is already operational in Donestk, Ukraine. Where the territory belongs to Ukrainian captured by Russian sponsored Militants. The system will suppress mobile satellite phone communication systems like Inmarsat and Iridum which phones are widely used by Americans and private military contractors for Air support and communication intelligence. The system also jam mobile communication system ranging in GSM and CDMA. It also jams NAVSTAR satellite based navigation system aided by GPS. The US tomahawk follows NAVSTAR based satellite guidance. 

R 330 Zhytel

   The Mobile based communication jammer is known by Krakusha, It's highly mobile platform used to jam all the as said above in shorter range.  Russia deployed the Krakusha EW systems in Syria to safe their mission from NATO and Israeli air crafts. Both of the systems are hardly get detected by SAR imaginary and Satellite pictures. Also striking those systems in first wave also a bigger challenge to USAF in future warfare.

    To eradicate all the above said threats the LRS B must comes with superior systems to bypass all the future threats too. It's clear that NG Bomber must comes with stealth characteristics with highly reduced radar cross section than the previous B 2 Spirit and F 22 Raptor. The onboard antenna's will be designed to support missions even in communication denied air spaces to achieve aerial superiority to further invasion. 

Scorpion Jet offered to IAF

Scorpion Jet offered to IAF 

       With the Problems in LCA and other Trainer Jets IAF seeks a good platform, which could be cost effective, low operating cost and it should be perform Close Air support mission, Recon mission for longer time, since the LCA failed the above aspects which have less than 500 kilometers of Combat radius, which pushed back the LCA from IAF for decades, and incapability of ADA and HAL also a reason for that.

Fully Armed Scorpion Jet

        So IAF always looking for a good Ground attack platform in lesser operating and procurement cost, due to the Heavy manpower and armor threats from both China and Pakistan IAF also need a good CAS fighter who gives dominant air support to the foot soldiers, The IAF has good numbers of Modern Air superiority fighters like Su 30 MKI and MiG 29 UPG, the Super Sukhoi, T 50, FGFA is in pipeline, and Good Numbers of Medium strike Multirole Platforms like Mirage 2000 TI and upcoming Rafale both can perform mission outside friendly territories, also the Jaguar will be used for Deep Strike and SEAD missions until the arrival of AMCA,

        But here  IAF heavily lacks of a Good Ground Attack platform which can assist the Ground Troops, the IAF relies on other fighters to perform such CAS and Recon missions which is a Over kill, an Armed Mirage who flying around a Clock mission somewhere in the Borders for Close Air support is an over kill, earlier IAF used Helicopter Gunships like Mi 35 and Armed Mi 17 v5 but both lacks speed altitude and Range, So the place again left for a Good cost effective CAS platform.

         The same is also for USAF they relies on A 10 which is a Good platform for CAS, A 10 is the best platform for CAS, whenever enemy hears it was the A 10, he will stays in the hideouts, otherwise he would end up with the Bullets or PGM. But the main problem is the high operating and Maintenance cost, so the Americans needs a Plane that would be stay in the Air long time with Munitions also have Recon elements. Whose cost would be minimal, both in procure, flying and Maintenance.

         Here American and Indian needs is equals, India Chooses the Rafale for MRCA as well as CAS and Armed Recon missions (Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance) (LAAR). While the Americans still looking for a good platform, they found nothing so the managed to keep with F 35 and F 15. 

          But two US companies identifies the Shortage of Such platform both USAF and most other countries, So they managed to create a Fighter who can do all the above missions and yes with the desirable low cost both flying maintaining and procurement. and they rolls out the Scorpion Light Attack Jets early 2013. 

         The USAF, Pentagon officials analyzed the Scorpion Jet. but they found many problems and declined to use in the Air force, the main problem lies on the Payload. Scorpion offers good Recon elements but lacks the Payload, for that it can be used only for COIN missions not in regular warfare, also the Flight have worst performance in lo lo lo and hi hi hi mission, good in Medium Altitudes only, these are the two main reasons why USAF didn't look the Textron Scorpion. 

        So they looks for buyers from foreign countries, Recently The US officials says that they were ready to give the Scorpion to Indian Air force, this is the second time they were offering the scorpion to IAF for both LAAR and Training missions. 

       But reality is the IAF should neglect the Scorpion for the same reason why USAF neglected the Scorpion, 

        If we compared the LCA Tejas with the Scorpion, which can outperform Scorpion each and every aspects, expect the Combat Radius, where Scorpion have 1400 km of Combat Radius without Drop Tanks, Tejas have 500 kilometers even with the Drop Tanks. here Tejas costs $32 Million per piece and costs $12,000 to $16,000 per hour, but Scorpion costs only $20 Millions and Flying costs less than $3000 per hour.

         But Tejas have many other advantages but all will be downsized due to the Combat Radius, Redesigning the Tejas  with same mission characteristics but with longer Combat radius that is not below 1000 KM, is a good choice for IAF, and that it can be ordered in hundreds which gives  the IAF upper edge in Asian Air forces, 

 

The Scorpion Light Attack

The Scorpion Light Attack/Trainer Jet

Fully Loaded LCA

The C 17 Globemaster

The C 17 Globemaster

   

LCA Tejas loaded into C 17

   Primarily designated as a heavy lifter but performing various other operations this aircraft has time and again proved its might operating under various Air forces. The aircraft in talk is the Boeing C-17 Globe Master originally developed for the United States Air force by the McDonnell Douglas. The development of the C-17 started in 1980 with USAF planning to replace the aging Starlifter fleet. The first aircraft was delivered to to USAF on 14th July 1993. 

     The first C-17 operational squadron cherished the 17th Airlift Squadron  became operational on 17th January 1995. USAF alone operates 223 C-17 and has termed the C-17 project as one of the best success stories in the history of Military inventions. McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing, which later got the C 17 cleared for Export. C 17 is also operated by United Kingdom, EU counties like and also by Middle Eastern countries.

     The Indian government selected the C-17 for fulfilling its very heavy lift transport aircraft requirement. In 2010 India raised a requested for procuring 10 C-17s under the Foreign Military Sales program by US, the US soon responded positively to this request and granted its consent for selling 10 aircraft's.  In February 2011, the Indian government signed a deal with Boeing for arming the Indian Air Force with 10 C-17 under a $4.1 billion deal. A clause for procuring six additional aircraft's was also included in the deal.

     Apart from the US Air force, the Indian Air force is the largest operator of the C 17 fleet. The Air force is yet to enforce the clause for procuring 6 additional C-17. C-17 have proved their might by serving the force in the frontline when the need has raised and have also been part of all major humanitarian missions the Indian government has involved itself in. 

     The active production of these heavy lifters have come to a grinding halt with Boeing deciding to close down its Long Beach facility which was responsible for producing these aircrafts. With only 15 airframes of C-17 remaining in the world open for export clauses it is high time the IAF enforces its clause for procuring additional number of C-17. 

    The might of these C-17 was proved again in the recently concluded ‘Operation Rahat’ where these heavy lifters flew several sorties to Djibouti evacuating nearly 3000 evacuees from the war torn Yemen.  The C-17 can be used to airlift troops and supplies at one go and at a very short notice can be converted for a strategic air drop mission. But India showcased was a rare feature of the C-17, IAF installed comfortable seats in a 5+2 configuration and thus used the aircrafts at its best for the humanitarian mission.






      The Australian and the Arabs are lobbying strongly for procuring two each of this heavy lifter and the Canadian government is known to be actively pitching for a single piece of this heavy lifter. If the lobbying is accepted by Boeing and the sale is granted only 10 airframes will be left across the globe. With C17 being an integrated part of the IAF missions its time the Indian government exercises the clause under the tender and opts for another 6 C-17. This move will arm the IAF with aircraft that can serve the nation in a two string front. 

 

IAF C 17 during Op Rahat, 5+2 Seat config

Editor Karthik Kakoor