What components and parts can be upgraded or added, could you please tell in detail?
Also I read Rafale was F3 then got the F4 Upgrade, was the F4 some sort of upgrade to the already existing F3 or they made a slightly better Rafale, also what actually made F4 better ?
1, better version of existing avionics.
Better radar, like world is going for GaN aesa radars from GaAs, in future photonic radars seems to be a possibility.
Better irst, better maws/Das, better ew, better network Centric capabilities.
Better missiles, bombs.
2, new capabilities like mumt, unmanned mode for excecuting missions, new sensors to help in health management of tejas like f35 has, better and more automated supply chain etc, better engine and generator for more electrical power, DIRCM, etc
All can be put in existing tejas airframe.
As for f3 and f4, f4 has more advance version of things in f3, more advance version of RBE2 Aesa, more advance version of spectra, more advance optronics, true network Centric capabilities, better integration of newer weapons, upgraded helmet mounted display, more automation in mission execution to help the pilot especially using AI, improved mantinence using AI.
The F3R-I version used by Indian airforce is said to be mostly f4 standard except AI part.
