What's NATO calling this one? Super Flanker Perhaps?

It's easy, they want to control Malacca

Does anyone know any information about the recent upgrade of F-5As in Malaysia by Canada? I recently heard that Malaysia was planning on this modernization, but that may have been just a gossip. Has anyone else heard anything about it?

Hi dafalcon
I was just looking at Pacific Rim Flanker users and saw something about upgrading them and using them for recon aircraft. For the life of me I can find it right now. I'm sure there are recon kits for F-5s but maybe a better selection could be made for range reasons? I don't know the wing load outs for the mighty F-5 A/B/E II/III fighters maybe without weapons or small weapons loads it's doable? I always like the F-5s and A-4s aircraft overall for smaller aircraft they carry a good punch. There still seem to a pretty large number of F-5 type users still operational so I would assume there is still an upgrade market out there. Besides Canada I think the Israeli's have a F- 5 upgrade package too I think Chile used them.

So why would they want heavy bodied Su 27 series aircraft? Long range patrols or something?

SU 27 is an air defence fighter... long range and designed to work in concert with ground and/or airborne control elements. Just the thing for an island nation with miles of straits to patrol and defend.

Four other web pages I found on this topic state the Flankers are replacing the F-5As. I did a little more hunting and still can't find that link I had sorry. Got caught on F-5s a little now and found another major F-5 user Brazil. Northrop Grumman awarded OBOGS contract for Embracer’s F-5BR aircraft.Just talked with a guy I know from Brazil and he told me that Brazil’s F-5s might be one of the worlds most advances models and are equipped with datalinks. He wrote Brazil has joined five other countries in the world that use datalinks now and that they even beat a few French Mirage 2000s in mock combat. I cannot back that up with a link and am only stating what he wrote me nor do I know how many countries use datalinks. I was kind of hoping somebody would help with that. In simple terms the little I understand about datalinks would be one fighter has there radar on while a second has there’s off. The second aircraft thus becomes the shooter and the first aircraft using the datalinks passes the target info to the shooter who takes the shot. The cool part the target might see the first aircraft with there radar on 80 miles or more away while the shooter can be a lot closer. Gives the bad guy or the enemy less time to react, please correct me if I got any part of this wrong. I assume the datalinks users would be US, England, Russia, France, Israel, and Brazil. I would guess that China might be part of this club as well or soon to be.

Flankers are a good choice. Not much of a gunfighter, but, that 30 mm cannon , with its 150 rounds, can knock holes in an enemy with ease. But, they also make a Perfect Long Range Patrol Aircraft, with exceptional maneuverability. Whether replacing, or working in concert with the F 5s. They are designed to intercept, and make as many problems as possible for western fighter strike groups. Although designed in another era. With a few modifications, a modern day Su 30, with a skilled pilot and ground crew will overcome most air threats.

Sea, SAMS, and AAA survivability. Will rely on the Pilot's awareness, and skills in evasion, as well as military intelligence. The fighter aircraft itself is all part of a bigger gamble, of which man kind calls, modern warfare.

I think the Flankers low speed maneuverability from what I've read might be it's biggest asset as fighter. I would like to hear from pilots but I think going up against it's missiles would be the choice then going guns. I thought Hornet, Fulcrum, and for a large aircraft Flanker might get a nose on you faster then most fighters. Even Viper pilots on f16net seem to give Hornets a little respect when going slow. I've read tons of Mig-29 VS. F-16 thread with mixed results on who better at who. A F-15 pilot told me that no fighter does everything the best and the key in staying in your aircraft strengths and staying out of your enemies. Maybe for a lack of chance but I think the Flanker is not proven as a striker like the F-15E is. On paper it carries a large load has great range and seems to be able to use a large selection of weapons just not proven. I can't seem to find anything on it's attack or strike capabilities in real life. Even training against other countries it always seems to be in the fighter role. If anybody can provide me any any data on real life usage in a strike role please do, link, book, anything. Reading about China Flankers and it seems there producing a J-11B which is more of striker/attack model compared to the other types there bought from Russia or made from kits. There must be a reason for this I always thought it's software thing to drop LGB and launch anti-ship missiles. I know targets have to be marked and found but aren't special pods made for this? Couldn't there Su-27 SK, MMK, Flankers be upgrade for less then producing a different type? Or is they just they wanted to produce there own?

do you know the military warfare companies that use rf data links?