PAF Conducts successful test of indigenously developed FAAZ BVRAAM

[Mujahid]

A few important points worth noting:

1. As already pointed out by members here, the missile appears to be a long-range IIR (Imaging Infrared) variant.

2. The aircraft carrying it is a Block I (Serial No. 109), which retains the PL-5E as its short-range missile mounted on the wingtip.

In my opinion, FAAZ could be a solution to the Block I's limitations in employing the SD-10A. The IIR seeker potentially provides an extended-range BVR engagement capability without requiring an upgrade to the aircraft's radar or other onboard systems.

Essentially, FAAZ could be viewed as an SD-10ER-type missile with an IIR seeker, designed to compensate for the Block I's limitations in mid-course missile guidance. By relying on an imaging infrared seeker for terminal acquisition, it could potentially offer an extended-range engagement option while reducing dependence on the aircraft's existing radar and guidance architecture.

This would be a relatively cost-effective way of extending the Block I's BVR capability without undertaking a comprehensive avionics upgrade.

IMHO, this is the most plausible operational rationale behind the integration, although the precise capabilities and guidance architecture would need to be confirmed.

If sucessful, this missile also opens up the potential to export as an intermediate BVR solution for the existing 3rd Gen platforms like Mirage III/Vs , 2K and F-7s etc.

There was already a SD10 on opposite wing pylon if u look closely

 

[TheThirdFaculty]

If it’s msss produced and deployed in large enough numbers even on SAM levels it give an extra edge

 

[Mujahid]

Just to prove that people will argue on anything, here's a stick.View attachment 221979


Also my claim that this is an air intake, not a cable runner.

View attachment 221980

Also this view from the back. Tge white circle below the rocket motor.
Unless PAF is using cable from a بجلی کا کھمبا۔ , a missile cable runner cannot be that thick and protruding all the way to the exaust.
View attachment 221981


Also this side view . I have circled the structure of interest. Too big for just being a cable runner. Looks like an air intake.
View attachment 221982


I hereby claim this is a Meteor style RAM Jet , and a normal solid fuel combo .

For further reference here is a banana for scale.

View attachment 221983

Good analysis.. now tell me how a passive seeker missile will not kill friendly.. does it has an IFF seeker too? How will it lock a jet 100 of kilometers away from IRST? Does IRST has this much range? Jf 17 has no IRST till now

 

[TheThirdFaculty]

I think the next step is to roll out UCAVs capable of launching these imagine hundreds in the sky armed with air to air missiles picking out su-30mkis and rafales just like in May 25.

 

[iron shrapnel]

From my understanding nothing of this capability exists in the market right now...

MICA doesn't have the range FAAZ has i.e 100 km ( some saying 135 ).

Giving us a unique capability and product.

Kudos to PAF for finding this gap.

 

[PK781]

congratulations to PAF for inducting such capabilities. Another missile in our arsenal for the defense of Pakistani soil.
Equally happy to see it on our own JF17 Thunders.

 

[iron shrapnel]

You're joking about the F-16's, right?

I mean, you won't face too many issues from China. Doubt they'll care.

Just try asking the Americans to integrate this on their Vipers.

The US has given the nod to Turkey & the UAE (EDGE)..., and maybe !srael too*.

*Not to sure about that one.

Why not ?

Should take advantage of all the coziness we have with the current administration.

Otherwise the Viper's fate is sealed in the long run.

We will most likely never get any of the newer PL-15 equivalent missile the US develops.

And we might not get the V kits as well.

So, at the very least we can get weapons and (hopefully) local subsystem integration...

 

[Khanviletey]

Questions from experts, can a IR missile with a two way data link be guided to its target with AWACS or fighter aircraft’s radar and then switch to its own sealer in the termanal phase

 

[Oldenwisdom...قول بزرگ]

BVR solution for the existing 3rd Gen platforms like Mirage III/Vs , 2K and F-7s etc.

There's an inspiration from the X-68A longshot kind of missiles provide further safety and utility to older platforms.
If this can be encapsulated and released at an even greater distances given already established and demonstrated ability to direct it via datalink for the terminal phase.
Means older platforms can keep trudging along.

 

[Tumba]

Questions from experts, can a IR missile with a two way data link be guided to its target with AWACS or fighter aircraft’s radar and then switch to its own sealer in the termanal phase

defeats the purpose of IR missile completely, if u put 2 way data link the missile becomes active(broadcast signals).
Once its identified IR homing missile is incoming easy to defeat with flares.

Thats why IR missiles are mostly short ranged.

 

[maxpane]

Faaz couod be the best for customers like somalia or any other country who dnt need pl 15 as for now

 

[HRK]

Own R&D abd an alleged joint venture with Turkey

As far as open source information FAAZ-1 is a development occured before the joint BVR agreement between Turkey and Pakistan.

Indigenous Rocket motor technology for AAR missiles is now officially proven which is also positive development and a personal observation (which may be wrong) is that it is inspired by AIM-120 rocket motor then SD-10's rocket motor.

 

[ThoroughPro]

This was the first "Flight Test", there will be a lot more (maneuverability, data link, targeting, self destruct, etc.) tests needed before it gets operationalized.

 

[RealNapster]

Not against Rafale. The Indian version has self regeneration and invisibility cloak. The Indian rafales re assemble themselves after falling to the ground and disintegrating. Same as they did last time when we saw pieces of rafale burning in the fields . Then IAF claimed no losses.
The rafale reassembled transformers decepticon style , and flew away

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Whats the point of the licensed sd10 when you have pl15

Unless they want replicate it for air to ground, drones and other things like Turkey is doing

does SD-10 has IR guidance mode? And are you don't want Pakistan will become self-sufficient in modern, and home grown BVR development? relying only on foreign weapons are not good idea