F-16 (blk 50/52) versus SU-30MKI - Cope Thunder 3

AKH33 · by **AKH33** » 06 Apr 2005, 16:56

Indo-US joint fighter exercise in November

New Delhi, April. 6 (PTI): Indian Air Forces frontline Sukhoi, Mirage 2000 and upgraded Mig Bisons would cross swords with the United States Air Force F-16 fighting falcons in the second series of joint fighter exercises in November this year.

The pilots of the two air forces would match their skills in close range as well as beyond visual range combats over Kalikunda airbase in West Bengal. In their first test of wits, the Indian pilots had got the better of their American counterparts in Gwalior last year.

But the contest that time had been between the US F-15's and the Indian SU-30's and Bisons. And the US air force this time are bringing in their Fighting Falcons that too of Batch 50-52's, the latest upgrades series.

According to top IAF officials, 8 to 12 American F-16's would be taking part in the exercise 'Cope Thunder Three' and India, besides the Su-30MKI and SU-30K, would field the Mig-27s, Mirage 2000 and Mig Bisons.

The US officials have been very keen to have a closer look at India's just acquired SU-30MKI. In the past, New Delhi has spurned invitations for the frontline fighters to visit America for taking part in multi-nation air exercises.

Source: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... ewsid=2077

An excellent way for the IAF to improve pitting itself against the best, this is what we have been waiting for!!

parrothead · by **parrothead** » 06 Apr 2005, 17:42

Awesome news

!!! I just wish I could be there with 'em to watch all the action! I think this will benefit both sides and I think the Viper pilots will have a ball :thumb:

!

ACSheva · by **ACSheva** » 06 Apr 2005, 20:32

Ohh yeah baby,

Here we go again. Man I can't wait to see the final results.

ACSheva

RSAF-G2 · by **RSAF-G2** » 03 May 2005, 08:04

Ha, let's just hope the IAF will come to terms with its real performance and not create sensational reports of how "mighty" their SU-30s are...like what happened in the last RSAF-IAF exercise.

nikos · by **nikos** » 03 May 2005, 15:18

Well, we should blame the human factor.
Anyway if equally skilled pilots used Su-30 against F-16, the Flagon would outperform the F-16 in all terms. It is just a different class of aircraft. A fair play is F-16C/D against MiG-29S. There has been a wargame between Luftwaffe and USAF wich had shown that actually.

VPRGUY · by **VPRGUY** » 03 May 2005, 16:36

So I wonder- are both sides actually going to play balls-to-the-wall, or are they going to tie the USAF's hands (like they did with the F-15's) so the Indian AF can train against us?

Viperalltheway · by **Viperalltheway** » 03 May 2005, 21:52

It'll take F-16Ds.. 4 more guys are gonna this time for PUBLIC RELATIONS..

http://www.metallizone.com/videos/one_high.asx

Block 50s CCIP + V(9) + AIM-9X + AIM-120C-7 + AWACS.

lol..

parrothead · by **parrothead** » 04 May 2005, 02:35

OK, time to kick some a$$$$$$$ :thumb:

!!!

ACSheva · by **ACSheva** » 06 May 2005, 23:09

I bet that's what they are saying..

Shev

ghostrider883 · by **ghostrider883** » 11 May 2005, 03:31

Yeah I'm getting tired of this crap. Send the best vipers in the AF, and with an AWACS of course....

Time to kiss their a$$$$$$$!!!

Only time will tell... this isn't some low grade Soviet stuff that the IAF is flying....

ACSheva · by **ACSheva** » 11 May 2005, 04:16

Yeah, just ask the F 15 pilots.

Shev

kubam4a1 · by **kubam4a1** » 14 May 2005, 08:42

It depends if F-16s have AIM-120Cs, as well as V9 radar. We have to wait for the results.

Northax · by **Northax** » 05 Jun 2005, 07:16

ACSheva wrote:Yeah, just ask the F 15 pilots.

Oh, you mean the F-15 pilots that were outnumbered 12 to 4? With a scenario the IAF made up, which they've probably practiced against for years? And took away F-15s AESA rader? And limited the F-15s missiles 20-30 nm range? Hmm, yeah, good point... lol!

Sorry, but it wasn't just "The Su-30 whooped USAF F-15s butt!" It was way different than what most think. They put major limitations on the USAF, and created a scenario they've probably practiced against a thousand times over. So, keep living in denial, if you so wish.

Here's a short quote from a link you can go to and read the whole thing...

The reasons for the drubbing have gone largely unexplained and been misunderstood, according to those based here with the 3rd Wing who participated. Two major factors stand out: None of the six 3rd Wing F-15Cs was equipped with the newest long-range, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. These Raytheon APG-63(V)2 radars were designed to find small and stealthy targets. At India's request, the U.S. agreed to mock combat at 3-to-1 odds and without the use of simulated long-range, radar-guided AIM-120 Amraams that even the odds with beyond-visual-range kills.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1237790/posts

ghostrider883 · by **ghostrider883** » 05 Jun 2005, 07:41

well then, even IAF Su-30s were not the top end Su-30s(MKIs)......so a F-15C with a downgraded radar versus a Su-30 with "not so" good radar is a equal match i think...
besied the upgraded MiG-21 Bisons shocked the americans more than the Su-30s....

dimik · by **dimik** » 05 Jun 2005, 22:26

Northax wrote:Oh, you mean the F-15 pilots that were outnumbered 12 to 4? With a scenario the IAF made up, which they've probably practiced against for years? And took away F-15s AESA rader? And limited the F-15s missiles 20-30 nm range? Hmm, yeah, good point... lol!

Sorry, but it wasn't just "The Su-30 whooped USAF F-15s butt!" It was way different than what most think. They put major limitations on the USAF, and created a scenario they've probably practiced against a thousand times over. So, keep living in denial, if you so wish.

Here's a short quote from a link you can go to and read the whole thing...

"The reasons for the drubbing have gone largely unexplained and been misunderstood, according to those based here with the 3rd Wing who participated. Two major factors stand out: None of the six 3rd Wing F-15Cs was equipped with the newest long-range, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. These Raytheon APG-63(V)2 radars were designed to find small and stealthy targets. At India's request, the U.S. agreed to mock combat at 3-to-1 odds and without the use of simulated long-range, radar-guided AIM-120 Amraams that even the odds with beyond-visual-range kills."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1237790/posts

The odds were either 10 vs. 4 or 12 vs. 4

Also, it wasn't just the Su-30K's that were operating, there were missions in which 4 MiG-27's were on an attack mission, and there were 6 MiG-21BIS' tasked with defending them vs. 4 F-15's, in many misisons, half of the aircraft were attacking, while the other half were defending against the F-15's were were on intercept course

How do you know that India has been training for this very excercise and event for years? Huh, please, you have no proof to confirm this.