Image source: topwar.ru
MiG-29K transportation by Vikrant aircraft carrier elevator
India's signing on April 28 of a €7 billion contract for the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets to equip the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has rekindled a long-standing debate about the compatibility of this aircraft with existing ships.
New Delhi has purchased 22 single and 4 double Rafale-M aircraft with related services and weapons. As indicated in the Indian edition of IDRW, the new aircraft are designed to replace the aging MiG-29K fleet, which suffers from low operational suitability (15-47% according to reports for 2016).
It is noted that the Rafale-M, which belongs to the 4.5 generation, is equipped with advanced avionics, an AFAR RBE2 radar (adapted to naval missions) and can carry advanced weapons such as the Meteor air defense system, which will increase the country's power in the fight against threats such as Pakistani JF-17 and Chinese J-15 fighters.
Image source: topwar.ru
Rafale-M
- indicated in the publication.
The MiG-29K has a wingspan of 11.99 m, but when folded it decreases to 7.8 m; the Rafale-M has 11 m, while the wing does not fold. The width of elevators (which carry airplanes between the hangar and the flight deck) The Vikramaditya aircraft carrier is 9.9 m, and the Vikrant is 10 m.
- critics say.
As the author explains, to place the Rafale-M on a 10 m wide elevator, the aircraft will need to be tilted diagonally by about 23.5 °, with one wing console raised 4.3 m above the floor and the other lowered.
However, the ceiling of the hangar has a height of 5-6 m, and the Rafale-M has a height of 5.34 m, so the aircraft may not get there. The author also points out that such actions during the transportation of aircraft will increase the risk of damage and take a lot of time.
Image source: topwar.ru
Indian Navy MiG-29K
As a result, Vikrant, designed to carry 26 MiG-29Ks, will be able to carry significantly fewer Rafale-M (14-18 units) on board, which can only be accommodated on the take-off deck.
- the author writes.
A number of Indian observers believe that the Rafale-M will fully reach its potential only on the IAC-2, an aircraft carrier with a displacement of 65,000 tons, which should replace Vikramaditya by 2035-2036. It will have more spacious elevators capable of accommodating French aircraft.
However, the problem needs to be solved now. A number of local experts suggest upgrading the elevators on Vikrant (although it recently came out of the dock after many years of work) to expand them by 1-2 m, although this will be an expensive undertaking (potentially costing $ 100-200 million) and will require extensive structural alterations, which will disable the ship for 1-2 years.
- the author concludes.
