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Sixth Generation Fighter Development

Lorddrakul · 2025-04-24 09:37:22

While the strict definition of a sixth generation fighter varies between sources, there is little argument that the race is on for a new generation of air dominance combat aircraft. While the US NGAD programme has now solidified into the Boeing F-47, the Tempest, the TAI Kaan, and SU-75 are, arguably, lesser known…

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#32 04-06-2025 05:57PM

banie01

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https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123514455#Comment_123514455

Interesting article and it makes some compelling conclusions.
A big problem for France if the premise that the Rafale was overmatched, rather than tactically crippled in the Indo/Pak conflict, is that the French are tied to the airframe until 2040 at the earliest IMO.
France can rattle Dassault and indeed Airbus to try and force a way past the current office politics delays, but that still won't see an airframe in service before 2037 or so.
Whereas there is a development path planned for Rafale out to F5 version, with F3 & F3R being the current version and F4 entering service currently.
The F3 & F4 have a large degree of automated systems, prioritised situational awareness and whilst not enjoying the F35s level of sensor fusion are amongst the best and most ergonomic cockpits in service. Now I'll caveat that "the best" with this. We don't really know how good the current Chinese cockpit & human interface is but, we must assume that it is at least "as good as".
Where Rafale does have issues, in it's non-stealth design. Which is a limitation, that cannot be overcome and only slightly mitigated. Via new RAM coatings, perhaps reprofiling of inlet ducts but not much else to aid passive stealth can be done.
On the sensor and active EW front. The RBE2 radar is a very capable set with a glaring weakness for a modern set in that it lacks a Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) mode. Meaning that it's far easier for opposing EW systems to detect and interfere with.
I don't know if Thomson -CSF can retrofit LPI via processing card or software? But adding LPI and then plugging the antenna into spectra as an offensive emitter could be a very worthwhile upgrade that would restore technical edge and allow self escorted missions to resume.
The SPECTRA EW suite is one of the most capable self defence jammer systems in service anywhere and should be adaptable to new threats. The issue with that? Becomes ensuring Rafale users share that threat data back to Dassault
I gave an opinion on the India V Pak thread when the initial Rafale shootdowns were reported that, if they were shot down and indeed shot down within India that it pointed towards IAF tactical failure. In that they used Rafale as a launch platform for Scalp, flying at low level and without EW support or SEAD/DEAD. Suicidal tactic against a modern Air Defence network IMHO.
The strike package easily picked up by PAK AWACS, the data passed to PL15 armed fighters at high altitude. The launch energy advantage versus the lack of altitude to perform effective escape manoeuvre left Rafale little hope of evasion.
India are stonewalling a Dassault team in country trying to build after action reports and that IMHO speaks to a realisation, that was touched on by Indian Generals that after day 1 of Sindoor, they realised a mistake in their tactics and reduced sorties until day 3 when they claim to have addressed the shortcomings.

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