MMRCA

The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Competition,
commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian
Air Force with 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. The Defence Ministry has allocated Rs.
42,000 crore for the purchase of these aircraft (Approx. US$10.5 billion).

The IAF projected a requirement for about 126 aircraft in 2001, when the strength was at
39.5 squadrons (down from 45). There is an option for an additional 74 aircraft. [11] Initial
requirements appeared to be for a 20-ton class fighter aircraft with the Mirage 2000 as the
strongest contender. However, the 20-ton MTOW limit requirement has reportedly been
removed. Also, considering the delays in the bidding, it is very likely that the LCA would
be ready for induction by then. The IAF then would require replacements for its frontline
strike aircraft like the MiG-27 and Jaguar, which would be retiring by 2015. India's
indigenous Medium Combat Aircraft and the Indo-Russian joint 5th-generation aircraft
projects are unlikely to be ready before 2020, thus providing the need for a replacement.
Thus, the MRCA tender is more likely to be a medium-weight aircraft (MTOW of ~24
tons). This has led to a renaming of the competition as the Medium Multi-Role Combat
Aircraft (MMRCA) tender.

The Indian government has officially stated that it would require 100% Transfer of
Technology (ToT), as well as license manufacturing permission for the aircraft. It has
stated that the first squadron of aircraft will be bought directly from the manufacturer,
while later versions will be built in India, by HAL, initially from kits, and later, on its
own.[citation needed]

The IAF was keen on buying the Mirage 2000-5, after it was impressed by the Mirage
2000's capabilities during the Kargil War. However, due to the upcoming manufacture of
the Dassault Rafale and lack of orders, the Mirage production lines were to be closed
down. French officials stated that they could be kept open if India had made a firm
commitment. However, the Indian Government decided to go in for a multi-vendor
tendering process. Requests for Information (RFI) were issued in 2004. The RFIs were
initially sent to four vendors: Dassault (Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2), Lockheed Martin (F-16C
and D), Saab (JAS 39 Gripen) and Mikoyan (MiG-29OVT).

Due to the tendering process and delay in issuing the RFIs, Dassault decided to remove
the Mirage 2000-5 from the bidding process and enter the Rafale in its place. The MiG-
35 was entered in place of the prototype MiG-29OVT. Eurofighter Typhoon also
expressed interest in entering the bidding, and have entered their aircraft into the
competition. With the signing of the July 2005 Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, the F/A-18E/F
Super Hornet also joined the tendering. The U.S. offered its latest AN/APG-79 AESA
radar as well.

Bidders
Six aircraft were bid for the order - the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault
Rafale, Mikoyan MiG-35 and the American F-16IN and F/A-18IN (a version of the Super
Hornet). Up to now, Mikoyan and Dassault have been regular suppliers of aircraft for the
Indian Air Force and in terms of transfers of technology, licensed production in India,
personnel training, supply of spare parts, maintenance and upgrading.

IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from those two aircraft
manufacturers, and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support
for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the
unfamiliar Gripen, Typhoon, F-16 and F/A-18.
Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale (English: Squall)[3] is a French twin-engined delta-wing highly
agile multi-role fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in
2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and
for carrier-based naval operations with the French Navy. It has also been marketed for
export. While several countries have expressed interest in the Rafale, there have been no
foreign sales as yet.

Specifications
General characteristics

• Crew: 1–2
• Length: 15.27 m (50.1 ft)
• Wingspan: 10.80 m (35.4 ft)
• Height: 5.34 m (17.5 ft)
• Wing area: 45.7 m² (492 ft²)
• Empty weight: 9,500 kg (C), 9,770 kg (B),[44] 10,196 kg (M) ()
• Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg (C/D), 22,200 kg (M)[45] (54,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Snecma M88-2 turbofans
o Dry thrust: 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 75.62 kN with M88-Eco >90 kN after 2010
(17,000 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed:
o High altitude: Mach 2 (1,290 knots)[46]
o Low altitude: 1,390 km/h, 750 knots
• Combat radius: 1,852+ km (1,000+ nmi) on penetration mission
• Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 304.8+ m/s (1,000+ ft/s)
• Wing loading: 326 kg/m² (83 1/3 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 1.13

Armament

• Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30/719B cannon with 125 rounds

• Missiles:
o Air-to-air:
 MICA IR/EM or
 Magic II and in the future
 MBDA Meteor
o Air-to-ground:
 MBDA Apache or
 SCALP EG or
 AASM or
 GBU-12 Paveway II or
  AM 39 Exocet or
 ASMP-A nuclear missile

Avionics

• Thales RBE2 radar

• Thales SPECTRA electronic warfare system.
• Thales/SAGEM OSF (Optronique Secteur Frontal) infrared search and track
system.
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine canard-delta wing multirole aircraft. It is
being designed and built by a consortium of three separate partner companies: Alenia
Aeronautica, BAE Systems, and EADS working through a holding company Eurofighter
GmbH which was formed in 1986. The project is managed by NETMA (NATO
Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) which acts as the prime customer.[4]

The series production of the Eurofighter Typhoon is underway, and the aircraft is being
procured under three separate contracts (referred to as "tranches"), each for aircraft with
generally improved capabilities. The aircraft has entered service with the British Royal
Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, the Italian Air Force, the Spanish Air Force and the
Austrian Air Force. Saudi Arabia has signed a £4.43 billion (approx. €6.4 billion c. 2007)
contract for 72 aircraft.[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (operational aircraft) or 2 (training aircraft)

• Length: 15.96 m (52 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 10.95 m (35 ft 11 in)
• Height: 5.28 m (17 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 50 m² (538 ft²)
• Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
• Loaded weight: 15,550 kg (34,280 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 23,500 kg (51,800 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofan
o Dry thrust: 60 kN (13,500 lbf) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 90 kN (20,000 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed:
o At altitude: Mach 2+ (2,495 km/h, 1550 mph)[143][144]
o At sea level: Mach 1.2
o Supercruise: Mach 1.1[142]-1.5[145]
• Range: 2,900 km (1,840 mi)
• Combat radius:
o Ground attack, lo-lo-lo : 601 km;
o Ground attack, hi-lo-hi : 1389 km;
o Air defence with 3hr CAP : 185 km;
o Air defence with 10-min loiter : 1389 km [146] (373 mi, 863 mi, 115 mi, 863
mi)
• Ferry range: 3,790 km (2,300 mi)
• Service ceiling: 19,812 m (65,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: >315 m/s[147][148] (62,000 ft/min[149])
• Wing loading: 311 kg/m² (63.7 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 1.16
Armament

• Gun: 1x 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon 150 rounds

• 13 weapons hardpoints[150]
• Air-to-Air missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-120
AMRAAM, IRIS-T and in the future MBDA Meteor
• Air-to-Ground missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-88 HARM, ALARM, Storm
Shadow (AKA "Scalp EG"), Brimstone, Taurus KEPD 350, Penguin and in the
future AGM Armiger
• Bombs: Paveway 2, Paveway 3, Enhanced Paveway, JDAM, HOPE/HOSBO
• Laser designator, e.g. LITENING pod
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally
developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a
lightweight, day-time Visual Flight Rules (VFR) fighter, it evolved into a successful
multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success
on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations.[2] The
F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since
production was approved in 1976.[2] Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air
Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General
Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation,[3] which
in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.[4]

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally
developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a
lightweight, day-time Visual Flight Rules (VFR) fighter, it evolved into a successful
multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success
on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations.[2] The
F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since
production was approved in 1976.[2] Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air
Force, advanced versions are

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 49 ft 5 in (14.8 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.8 m)
• Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)
• Wing area: 300 ft² (27.87 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 64A204 root and tip
• Empty weight: 18,900 lb (8,670 kg)
• Loaded weight: 26,500 lb (12,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 42,300 lb (19,200 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan
o Dry thrust: 17,155 lbf (76.3 kN)
o Thrust with afterburner: 28,600 lbf (128.9 kN)

Performance

• Maximum speed:
o At sea level: Mach 1.2 (915 mph, 1,470 km/h)
o At altitude: Mach 2+ (1,500 mph, 2,414 km/h)
• Combat radius: 340 mi (295 nm, 550 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with six 1,000 lb
(450 kg) bombs
• Ferry range: 2,280 NM (2,620 mi, 4,220 km) with drop tanks
 • Service ceiling: 60,000+ ft (18,000+ m)
• Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)
• Wing loading: approx 40 lb/ft²[130] (194.9 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 1.095

Armament

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan gatling gun, 511 rounds

• Hardpoints: 2× wing-tip Air-to-air missile launch rails, 6× under-wing & 3×
under-fuselage pylon stations holding up to 17,000 lb (7,700 kg) of payload
• Rockets:
o 4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19× /7× Hydra 70 mm
rockets, respectively) or
o 4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets) or
o 4× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× Zuni 127 mm rockets)
• Missiles:
o Air-to-air missiles:
 2× AIM-7 Sparrow or
 6× AIM-9 Sidewinder or
 6× IRIS-T or
 6× AIM-120 AMRAAM or
 6× Python-4
o Air-to-ground missiles:
 6× AGM-45 Shrike or
 6× AGM-65 Maverick or
 4× AGM-88 HARM
o Anti-ship missiles:
 2× AGM-84 Harpoon or
 4× AGM-119 Penguin
• Bombs:
o 2× CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition
o 2× CBU-89 Gator mine
o 2× CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon
o Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser capable
o 4× GBU-10 Paveway II
o 6× GBU-12 Paveway II
o 6× Paveway-series laser-guided bombs
o 4× JDAM
o 4× Mark 84 general-purpose bombs
o 8× Mark 83 GP bombs
o 12× Mark 82 GP bombs
o B61 nuclear bomb
• Others:
o SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod or
o AN/ALQ-131 & AN/ALQ-184 ECM pods or
o LANTIRN, Lockheed Martin Sniper XR & LITENING targeting pods or
o up to 3× 300/330/370 US gallon Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for ferry
flight or extended range/loitering time.
Avionics

• AN/APG-68 radar
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a carrier-based strike fighter aircraft. The F/A-
18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant are larger and more advanced
derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun
and can carry various air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. Additional fuel can
be carried with up to five external fuel tanks and the aircraft can be configured as an
airborne tanker by adding an external air refueling system.

Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in
1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997, after the merger of McDonnell
Douglas and Boeing the previous month. The Super Hornet entered service with the
United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat since 2006, and serves alongside
the original Hornet. In 2007, the Royal Australian Air Force ordered Super Hornets to
replace its aging F-111 fleet.

General characteristics

• Crew: F/A-18E: 1, F/A-18F: 2

• Length: 60 ft 1¼ in (18.31 m)
• Wingspan: 44 ft 8½ in (13.62 m)
• Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)
• Wing area: 500 ft² (46.45 m²)
• Empty weight: 30,600 lb (13,900 kg)
• Loaded weight: 47,000 lb (21,320 kg) (in fighter configuration)
• Max takeoff weight: 66,000 lb (29,900 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans
o Dry thrust: 14,000 lbf (62.3 kN) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 22,000 lbf (97.9 kN) each
• Internal fuel capacity: F/A-18E: 14,400 lb (6,530 kg), F/A-18F: 13,550 lb
(6,145 kg)
• External fuel capacity: 5 × 480 gal tanks, totaling 16,380 lb (7,430 kg)

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.8+[11] (1,190 mph, 1,900 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
• Range: 1,275 nmi (2,346 km) clean plus two AIM-9s[11]
• Combat radius: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) for interdiction mission[71]
• Ferry range: 1,800 nmi (2,070 mi, 3,330 km)
• Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,000+ m)
• Wing loading: 92.8 lb/ft² (453 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.93

Armament

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan nose mounted gatling gun, 578 rounds
• Hardpoints: 11 total: 2× wingtips, 6× under-wing, and 3× under-fuselage with a
capacity of 17,750 lb (8,050 kg) external fuel and ordnance,
• Rockets:
 • Missiles:
o Air-to-air missiles:
 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or 4× AIM-132 ASRAAM or 4× AIM-120
AMRAAM, and
 2× AIM-7 Sparrow or additional 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM
o Air-to-surface missiles:
 AGM-65 Maverick
 Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM-ER)
 AGM-88 HARM Anti-radiation missile (ARM)
 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
o Anti-ship missile:
 AGM-84 Harpoon
• Bombs:
o JDAM Precision-guided munition (PGMs)
o Paveway series of Laser guided bombs
o Mk 80 series of unguided iron bombs
o CBU-87 cluster
o CBU-89 gator mine
o CBU-97
o Mk 20 Rockeye II
• Others:
o SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod or
o Electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod or
o AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR Targeting pods or
o up to 3× 330 US gallon (1,200 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for ferry
flight or extended range/loitering time or
o 1× 330 US gal (1,200 L) tank and 4× 480 US gal (1,800 L) tanks for aerial
refueling system (ARS).

Avionics

• Hughes APG-73 or Raytheon APG-79 Radar

JAS 39 Gripen
he Saab JAS 39 Gripen (English: Griffin) is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the
Swedish aerospace company Saab. Gripen International acts as a prime contracting
organisation and is responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter
around the world.

The aircraft is in service with the Swedish Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Hungarian
Air Force and the South African Air Force, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air
Force. A total of 236 Gripens have been ordered as of 2008.[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (2 for JAS 39B/D)

• Length: 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)
• Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 30.0 m² (323 ft²)
• Empty weight: 5,700 kg (14,600 lb)
• Loaded weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (31,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Volvo Aero RM12 afterburning turbofan
o Dry thrust: 54 kN (12,100 lbf)
o Thrust with afterburner: 80.5 kN (18,100 lbf)
• Wheel track: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
• Length (two-seater): 14.8 m (48 ft 5 in)

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2,130 km/h, 1,320 mph)

• Combat radius: 800 km (500 mi, 432 nmi)
• Ferry range: 3,200 km (2,000 mi) with drop tanks
• Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 336 kg/m² (68.8 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.97

Armament

• 1 × 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon 120 rounds

• 6 × Rb.74 (AIM-9) or Rb 98 (IRIS-T)
• 6 × Rb.99 (AIM-120) or MICA
• 4 x Rb.71 (Skyflash) or Meteor
• 4 x Rb.75
• 2 x KEPD.350
• 4 x GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb
• 4 x rocket pods 13.5 cm rockets
• 2 x Rbs.15F anti-ship missile
• 2 x Bk.90 cluster bomb
• 8 x Mark 82 bombs
• 1 x ALQ-TLS ECM pod
Mikoyan MiG-35
The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35, NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-
F") is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology.
Classified as a 4.5 generation jet fighter, the only existing prototype is the third
modification of the existing MiG-29M2 airframe which previously served as MiG-29M2
model demonstrator. The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its
maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent which exceeds its previous criteria
of classification.

The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey
Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[2] Its vastly
improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar and the uniquely
designed Optical Locator System (OLS), relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-
controlled interception (GCI) systems and enables it to conduct independent multi-role
missions.

The aircraft is being marketed under the designation MiG-35 (single seat) and MiG-35D
(dual-seat) for export. MiG Corporation had their first official international MiG-35
presentation during Aero India 2007.[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: one or two

• Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
• Empty weight: 11,000 kg[15] ()
• Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (33,069 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (50,076 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans
o Dry thrust: 5,400 kgf, 53.0 kN (11,900 lbf) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 9,000 kgf, 88.3 kN (19,800 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude

• Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
• Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks
• Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
• Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min)
• Thrust/weight: 1.14

Armament

• 1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 250 rounds

• Nine weapon pylons:
• AA-10 Alamo: 4x R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET
• AA-8 Aphid: 4x R-60M
 • AA-11 Archer: 8x R-73E, R-73M, R-74M
• AA-12 Adder: 8x R-77
• AS-17 Krypton: 4x Kh-31A, Kh-31P Anti-Radiation Missile
• AS-14 Kedge: 4x Kh-29T, Kh-29L
• AS-20: 4x Kh-59 Anti-Ship Missile
• KAB-500L 500kg Laser-guided bomb, KAB-500T TV-guided bomb
• FAB-250 250kg unguided-bombs, FAB-500 500kg unguided-bomb
• S-24, S-25L, S-250, S-13, S-8 unguided and laser-guided rockets
• ZAB-500 Fuel-Air Explosive Bomb
• More than 6 tons of payload on external hardpoints[12]

Avionics

• Phazotron N010 Zhuk Family including Zhuk AE AESA Radar on MIG-35.[16]

• NII PP Optical Locator System