Draft copy of the exercise Cope India report says: While the superb performances of IAF Sukhoi-30s were somewhat anticipated, the performance of MiG-21Bison came as a major unpleasant surprise to the USAF officials. It also validates the claim of the Russian officials that they are capable of successfully converting second generation late-model MiG-21bis fighters to fourth generation combat platforms. Inherently the significant positive attributes enjoyed by MiG-21s were their dog fighting ability in WVR (Within Visual Range) combat. Even the earlier models had a low corner velocity of 556 kilometers per hour and at Mach 0.5 had an instantaneous turn rate of 11.1 degrees per second. The MiG-21Bison with more powerful R-25 engines not only considerably bettered this performance but it may also be credited with jackrabbit acceleration, a very critical attribute in WVR combat. Something in-line to: http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Perfo...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356439329&sr=1-1 Among many fourth generations attributes added to the IAF MiG-21Bison design, the incorporation of HMS (Helmet Mounted Sight) and high-off-boresight R-73RDM2 NBVR/WVR (Near Beyond Visual Range/Within Visual Range) AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles) have turned it into a Great Equalizer in the WVR combat scenario. Conceptually a small number of MiG-21Bisons maintaining radar silence can be guided towards their aerial target by a couple of Sukhoi-30s by secure data links in accordance with MFFC (Mixed Fighter Force Concept). Upon entering into an WVR combat envelope the MiG-21Bisons armed with HMS and deadly NBVR/WVR missiles had the capability of destroying even fifth-generation fighters alike F/A-22 Raptor as assessed by high-profile Fighter Analyst Ben Lambeth of RAND Corporation. According to Lambeth in visual combat everybody dies at the same rate. F/A-22 also has to slow down if forced into a WVR combat scenario and loses the advantage of its super-cruise attributes. The situation further complicates if the IAF Sukhoi-30s have acquired the capability of providing target illumination for RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) BVR missiles being launched from IAF MiG-21Bisons at extended ranges.
their radar crossection isnt anything to brag about. even in "radar silence" which i assume means their radars are off they would be fairly easy to detect by U.S. radar. i doubt they could really get close enough to merge w/ F-22s. The BIS is closest equivilent is the F-16.
My understanding is that a fighter's one on one dogfighting skills within visual range are of limited value. Modern air combat involves dozens (if not hundreds) of aircraft working in sync with AWACs and a variety of other platforms to gain superiority.
Don't worry about it. MiG-21s fall out of the sky on their own. That's why air forces that have them don't fly them much.
True. This isn't the first time the U.S. has had their clock cleaned at the Cope exercise...or even Red Flag. It's basically a knife fight, as the AESA radar are turned off. In the real world if they allowed the bad guys to get that close, they've already screwed the pooch nine ways from Sunday...before the dogfight even begins. 21s are a 1950s airframe, and while I don't want to take anything away from the skills, tactics and adaptability of the IAF pilots and ground crews; the 21s are old, high-time, and getting tough to maintain. They still have the safety record of a 1950s aircraft, which is to say, not good. You can re-engine them, mod the avionics & radar and arm them to the teeth, but you can't arrest metal fatigue. An IAF 21 crashed and burned about a month ago, in fact. You hit the nail on the head Taxcutter.
The point in turning off the ASEA radar is to not let anybody know just how good it is. They get to feel good, and go home dumb and happy.
