The US Navy is studying the possibility of taking off an F / A-18 fighter from the deck of a Soviet-built aircraft carrier Vikramaditya.

The United States continues to actively promote its fighters to the Indian market. So far, India, we recall, has decided only on the Rafale fighters, the contract for which was concluded for 36 units (5 have been delivered so far). And in New Delhi, they continue to be in deep thought about which aircraft to choose for the further renewal of the country's air force.

The list of options under consideration includes American F / A-18s. However, in India itself, it was often stated that this aircraft "has little chance in the Indian market, since it is not suitable as a carrier-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers." At the moment, the aircraft carrier "Vikramaditya" (Soviet project) is fully operational in the Indian Navy. The aircraft carrier "Vikrant" is soon going to be taken out for testing.

In the meantime, the United States says that India should not write off the F / A-18. One of the reasons for this is "checking the carrier-based fighter for compliance with the Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya." Boeing is said to be conducting research to verify that its F / A-18 Block III Super carrier-based fighters are fit for a Soviet-built aircraft carrier.

It is argued that after making a certain revision, the American carrier-based fighter “is able to take off from the deck of the Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov).

This supposedly showed a special simulation of the process. Also, as stated, some time ago in Chicago (at a special airfield), the F / A-18 Block III Super was tested to take off a fighter from the deck without a launch catapult. It should be noted that the Indian aircraft carrier "Vikramaditya" belongs to such aircraft carriers.

The Indian press drew attention to these statements that appeared in the American media. Officials in India have not yet commented on the situation with American tests.

Comments

[Thunderbolt]

In principle, during the war, the Red Army simultaneously successfully operated with cars from different companies and even countries. British aircraft at first completely discouraged German pilots, but then the Kharitons confidently took their niche. The vertical set went to the limit, the sky was just heating up from the work of machines and the air red-hot from the voices "......... 42, Kolya ....... fall on the Junkers, I'll take the messers ... and ... four more fell out of the clouds. Kolya, lolbi of the cadets. I cover bye. P..o ..k..a Honor and glory to the Soviet Air Force! Thank you, they have implemented their "vertical coverage" ... They took to heaven and now they work there. You ask, where are they ...? Do not ask. Just raise your eyes to the clear calm sky, the peaceful sky above your head is their job.

[Thunderbolt]

Hawker Hurricane, Soviet Union performing on the platform !!! https: //youtu.be/55LGgW9Wqco

[Thunderbolt]

Sergeant Howe, awarded the Order of Lenin for three Germans shot down over Antarctic convoys. Hawker Hurricane is in the background. I would not put this photo here. But here's the thing. Boris Safonov is sitting in the cockpit of this “hariken”.

[Thunderbolt]

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[Thunderbolt]

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[andrewkor]

Indian slow-witted people are thinking, it's not even funny anymore!

[Prisoner]

They are pondering what time friendship with the United States against China will become. They took offense at China. Well, their resentment seems to hurt us sideways. Subtle spiritual natures, touchy ones, EPRST.

[Errr]

There are really enough serious questions here.

Defense experts consider the very idea of ​​equipping the Soviet Gorshkov with an American Hornet "almost impossible." The major differences between the Russian MiG-29K and the Super Hornet are only in size and weight - the "American" is heavier and larger. Nevertheless, the principle of landing on the deck is the same for us and for them: the car clings with a special hook-hook to the steel cable of the aerofinisher and brakes. The only problem is to combine the Russian and American short-range navigation and landing systems. And this requires major changes in the design of both the aircraft and the ship. “It's easier to build new ones,” the experts are convinced.
But the main problems await the Super Hornet at takeoff. The fact is that the Americans' aircraft are "thrown" from the deck of an aircraft carrier by a steam catapult. And with us - they launch into the sky from a springboard. Michael Ritz claims that the Super Hornet will be able to take off from the Gorshkov "even with full ammunition." The MiG corporation says: "This is cunning and the protection of corporate interests. It will not be able to." During a springboard takeoff, the loads on the fuselage and aircraft landing gear increase sharply. Therefore, even our Su and MiGs designed for such loads are not fully fueled and with a limited set of weapons for takeoff.
Americans have never seriously considered such questions. Since they used completely different take-off principles. If the Americans deal with the problem with the springboard takeoff for the F-18, then they will most likely have to radically change the layout of the fighter. It turns out that it is really easier to create a new one.
Another problem with basing the Super Hornet on board the Admiral Gorshkov will be related to the size of the elevator plane - a special elevator that lifts cars from the hangar to the flight deck. On our aircraft carrier, it is designed for the smaller MiG. And in the hangar itself, because of this, it will be possible to place not 16 MiGs, but only a dozen "Hornets", or even less. In this case, the meaning of owning an aircraft carrier is lost - it turns out that combat missions are easier to solve for long-range aircraft.

Source: https://flot.com/science/hull/gorshkovaviation.htm

[Avior]

All carrier-based aircraft are designed for heavy loads, larger than those of land. Associated with greater congestion at the air finisher

[Revolver]

There are Chinese unlicensed copies of the Su-27 flying from the former Varyag, which is practically a classmate of the former Gorshkov, and until recently, Kuznetsov carried the Su-33, which is nothing more than a blighted version of the Su-27. And the F-18 seems to be smaller and lighter than the Su-27, although larger than the MiG-29.

[Errr]

Quote: Nagan

And the F-18 seems to be smaller and lighter than the Su-27, although larger than the MiG-29.

Here the trick is that "Admiral of the Soviet Union Fleet Gorshkov" (now "Vikramaditya") was originally conceived for the use of 14 Yak-41M and 6 Yak-38M. Su-33 was not planned there. And the "Kuznetsov" flight deck is 30 meters longer with a slightly larger displacement [project 1143.5 vs project 1143.4 ]. Heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of project 1143.6 Varyag (now Liaoning) with a displacement significantly larger than Kuznetsov with a flight deck of the same length. Therefore, the Chinese analogues of the Su-27 are registered there.

[voyaka uh]

"Americans have never seriously considered such questions" ///
---
The Americans simply built a springboard - a copy of the one on the Indian aircraft carrier and took off from it on Hornet. And the Indians were invited to watch.

[Errr]

Quote: voyaka uh

The Americans simply built a springboard - a copy of the one on the Indian aircraft carrier and took off from it on Hornet.

Yes, a flag in their hands, a drum on their neck, a pipe in their teeth and ... "Jimi-Jimi - Acha-Acha" !!!

Quote: voyaka uh

And the Indians were invited to watch.

To be honest, I would have looked too, but I can't find it anywhere.

[Thrifty]

They need to "spoil" the Yak 130, the best option to kill all birds with one stone at once with one blow can not be imagined.

[Avior]

Yak130 will not take off from the deck. No Fast & Furious

[d4rkmesa]

Have you forgotten about the Su-25UTG?

[Eug]

When taking off from a springboard, there will be an "oblique" load on the landing gear, only if you take off with a minimum takeoff weight, then there may be a chance. Amers' chassis is traditionally "weaker" - but also lighter.

[Avior]

Carrier-based aviation has a reinforced chassis compared to land-based aircraft

[Eug]

Do you think I don't know? On takeoff from the springboard, the direction of the action of gravity on the struts changes. The force of gravity is always directed along the vertical of the seat, and the angle of inclination of the landing gear relative to this vertical will change depending on the change in the pitch angle. On Shershna, the design of the racks for such a change is probably not designed - when taking off from the horizontal, it's just extra weight. In this case, the "unloading" of the racks from the lifting force will be insignificant. There is still a moment related to the thrust-to-weight ratio - whether Shershen will be able to accelerate to the required speed on a short distance to the springboard, will he have enough thrust.

[voyaka uh]

Why guess? The Americans built a copy of the springboard and took off from it on Shershn. With different loads.

[Avior]

Springboard at the end of the run
, the unloading of the racks is in love, in case there is, before the springboard it switches to takeoff, so there is no excessive load there.
Large load on the front pillar during takeoff with ejection.

[Charik]

Probably can, the heavy Su 33 takes off then

[K-50]

It is argued that after making a certain revision, the American carrier-based fighter “is able to take off from the deck of the Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov).

And sit down? Is it much more difficult to land, or is it just takeoff and one way trip?
What for then is it necessary?

[Avior]

Sits down all the same at the finish

[TermNachTer]

In theory, everything is possible, but in practice, if a car starts from a catapult, then how much can it lift without a catapult? If the meaning?

[iouris]

Wouldn't it be easy to buy an F-35 right away?

[g1washntwn]

The Americans will not offer the F-35 to the Indians, the Indians will definitely have the S-400 next year. "

[outsider]

- The F-18E / F has insufficient thrust-to-weight ratio to take off from aircraft carriers without catapults. This will certainly affect (even if it is possible at full speed and in good wind) on the maximum take-off weight.
You can use starter boosters as an alternative.

[Angry]

Some kind of stupidity .... There are no catapults on Vikramaditya, and takeoff is possible only with a run and a springboard. Hornet always requires a catapult .... What can be discussed at all? That Hornet would be so lightweight that it could take off like a MiG-29?

[Pandiurin]

"What can we talk about in general?"

States don't necessarily want to offer a good working solution.
Maybe it will be a series of proposals that will be rejected as they are considered. But there will always be on the agenda a prodigious agreement on military-technical cooperation with the United States, which is about to take place.
At this time, the Indians will not conclude treaties for armament with Russia. And there you look, maybe they will even promote something.
Sometimes the goal is the process of moving towards imaginary goals.