A Glimpse into INS Vikrant

The INS Vikrant holds the distinction of being the first aircraft carrier that is entirely designed and built in India. It operates based on the STROBAR design.

STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier. It combines elements of Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) with Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR).

The aircrafts launch under their own power using a ski-jump to assist take-off. However, they are conventional aircrafts and thus require arrestor wires to land on the ship.

Given that both the FA-18 and Rafale M were primarily designed to be used on aircraft carriers that do not have the STROBAR facility, it was necessary for them to undergo a series of tests to assess their compatibility with Indian aircraft carriers.

Rafale M vs Super Hornet: A Comparative Analysis

1. Sensors: The primary sensor of both the Block II Super Hornet and the F3R-standard Rafale M is the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars. The Super Hornet Block II is equipped with the APG-79 while the F3R-standard Rafale M has the RBE2-AA. Both radars can perform simultaneous scan and track functions of air, maritime and ground targets.

2. Within visual range combat: In visual range combat, the Rafale M typically has a dominant position against a Super Hornet. The Super Hornet's performance is somewhat constrained by its low energy retention and acceleration capabilities, and its performance decreases significantly with external loads and at altitudes above 25,000ft. The Rafale M, on the other hand, is most effective at altitudes below 35,000ft and can outperform the Super Hornet in instantaneous and sustained turn rate at all comparable loadings at all altitudes.

3. Beyond visual range combat: In beyond visual range combat, the Rafale typically gets the first look owing to its lower frontal radar cross section and superior ECM capabilities. The Rafale M, equipped with the very-long ranged Meteor missile, comfortably out-ranges the F/A-18E even from a similar launch speed and altitude with AIM-120D. The Rafale is also capable of supercruise comfortably at around 30,000ft, with the option of going higher without issues, while the Super Hornet cannot supercruise and is more comfortable at lower altitudes.

4. Turn rate, High alpha, G loadings:

The Rafale M has an advantage in instantaneous turn, sustained turn and sustained G turning performance. The Super Hornet, however, wins on high alpha but not by as much as when compared to many other aircraft.

5. Range/endurance:

Both Rafale M and Super Hornet are capable of air to air refueling using probe and drogue equipped tankers, or buddy buddy refueling, increasing their range and endurance.

6. Weapons options:

The Super Hornet comes out ahead in terms of weapons options. Despite the Rafale M's ability to carry a significantly greater external payload, the Super Hornet's ability to carry and deliver practically every weapon in the vast US air-launched inventory gives it a significant advantage in terms of flexibility and cost of munitions.