SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
2022 trials at the Indian Navy’s airbase, INS Hansa in Goa, tested two leading fighter jets, Dassault’s Rafale M and Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, both competing for a key role in enhancing the Navy’s carrier-based combat capabilities. Sources familiar with the trials indicate that the Rafale M outperformed the Super Hornet on several critical technical criteria, with one significant differentiator being the lack of an integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system on the F/A-18E/F.
The IRST system is a passive, infrared-based tracking sensor that allows a fighter jet to detect and follow enemy aircraft without emitting radio frequencies, thus remaining undetected by adversaries. By operating exclusively in the infrared spectrum, the IRST system provides the ability to spot airborne threats well beyond visual range. This is particularly valuable in modern combat scenarios, where stealth and the element of surprise are critical.
The Rafale M comes with an integrated IRST system as part of its combat suite, enhancing its capability to detect, track, and engage enemy aircraft without alerting them. In contrast, Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Block III, despite being the latest model, lacks an integrated IRST. Instead, Boeing offered a podded IRST solution that can be attached externally to the jet’s fuel tank, a workaround that raised concerns among Indian Navy evaluators for several reasons:
Operational Limitation of Podded IRST: The IRST pod takes up one of the F/A-18’s wet points, limiting the aircraft’s fuel or weapons loadout capacity. This drawback becomes especially pronounced in extended missions where fuel efficiency and payload flexibility are essential.
Potential Loss of the IRST Pod: In scenarios where the IRST-equipped fuel tank needs to be jettisoned in combat or emergency situations, the loss would result in higher replacement costs. This risk factor, combined with the operational limitations of the pod, was a significant disadvantage for the Super Hornet.
Development Delays: Boeing representatives in Goa reportedly informed the Indian Navy that the podded IRST is still under testing and has not yet reached operational maturity. Facing multiple technical delays, the pod’s lack of demonstrated capability during the trials further affected the Navy’s confidence in the F/A-18E/F as a complete package.
In addition to the IRST advantage, the Rafale M’s performance was further complemented by the Indian Air Force’s existing familiarity with the Rafale platform. This operational synergy is set to benefit the Navy in several ways:
Shared Weapon Systems: Both the Navy’s Rafale M and the Air Force’s Rafale fleet will utilize common weapons, simplifying logistics and reducing procurement and training costs.
Operational Cost Savings: Shared maintenance, training, and weapons infrastructure will streamline operations, making the Rafale M a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Proven Naval Capabilities: The Rafale M, in service with the French Navy, has proven carrier-based combat capabilities, adding confidence in its ability to meet the Navy’s demanding operational requirements.
While the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a solid reputation and has been heavily marketed as a reliable naval fighter, the lack of an integrated IRST system raised concerns among Indian Navy evaluators. The F/A-18’s Block III variant, while equipped with advanced avionics and networked warfare capabilities, faced delays in demonstrating the podded IRST, which remains in a developmental phase. The reliance on an external IRST fuel tank is not only suboptimal in terms of design but also presents logistical challenges for operations that require a high degree of stealth and versatility.
As adversarial air forces increasingly deploy stealthy, radar-evading aircraft, IRST systems offer a significant advantage. Passive infrared tracking allows the aircraft to maintain stealth while targeting enemy aircraft, aligning with the Indian Navy’s requirements for modern maritime operations in contested environments. The Rafale M’s integrated IRST capability, coupled with its established performance record and shared platform with the Air Force, tipped the scales in its favor.
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