AIR CRAFT,AIRPLANES,FIGHTER JETS,NEWS,TECHNOLOGY

Stealth or low observability (as it is scientifically known) is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted concepts in military aviation by the common man. Stealth aircraft are considered as invisible aircraft, which dominate the skies. With an additional boost from Hollywood action movies, stealth is today termed as the concept invincibility rather than invisibility. Though, the debate still continues on whether stealth technology can make an aircraft invincible it was found that stealth aircraft are detectable by radar.

The motive behind incorporating stealth technology in an aircraft is not just to avoid missiles being fired at is but also to give total deniability to covert operations. This is very much useful to strike targets where it is impossible to reach. Thus we can clearly say that the job of a stealth aircraft pilot is not to let others know that he was ever there.

What is Stealth?

In simple terms, stealth technology allows an aircraft to be partially invisible to Radar or any other means of detection. This doesn't allow the aircraft to be fully invisible on radar. Stealth technology cannot make the aircraft invisible to enemy or friendly radar. All it can do is to reduce the detection range or an aircraft. This is similar to the camouflage tactics used by soldiers in jungle warfare. Unless the soldier comes near you, you can't see him. Though this gives a clear and safe striking distance for the aircraft, there is still a threat from radar systems, which can detect stealth aircraft.

F-117 is the first aircraft with active stealth service,F-22(United States) and SU-47(Russia) are Stealth enabled aircraft to cross Mach 1.


F-117

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India on Aug. 28 issued the long-awaited request for proposals (RFP) for its $10.5 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, which will provide 126 fighters to the Indian air force.

The industry contenders for the program are Russia's MIG-35, the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, France's Rafale, United States Lockheed Martin's F-16, United States Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

The 211-page RFP deals with various issues relating to the initial purchase, transfer of technology, licensed production and life-time maintenance support for the aircraft.
Proposals are to be submitted within six months, followed by a technical evaluation and field trials.

Under the terms of purchase, the first 18 aircraft will come in a "fly away" condition, while the
remaining 108 will be manufactured under transfer of technology agreements. The vendor finally selected will be required to undertake 50 percent offset obligations in India.

Russian MIG 35

French Rafale

Swedish JAS 39 Gripen

Lockheed Martin's F-16

Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet