This is not a novel concept. It does not require MICA to facilitate it. If they were to model it correctly, the IRST can cue the radar to a target and/or present the target information to the loosed missile through DL. Though strictly speaking, slaving the weapon to IRST does not require much in the way of DL, it’s just informing the missile where to point the seeker and in some cases inertial guidance information.
I am tired though so this is not the most concise explanation. I’m sure someone else could explain it better.
I’m not sure but i think it can only mount BOL on the 4 under wing pylons, the BOL launchers require the turbulence from the air around the wings to be effective and releasing it from the belly might just mean that the exhaust from the engine probably destroys the chaff/ir-bands. But i’m not certain, i’ve not seen any images of BOL under the belly either.
I think the best option (and the report that has the highest likelihood to be accepted) is to just provide the sources without mentioning the exact thrust (or even mentioning the thrust specifically at all) or doing any calculations. Just mentioning that the E version has a newer bigger engine compared to the C with no numbers mentioned (basically let the DEV’s do their own calculations and comparisons). Do not add any third party sources or any other websites, that will just risk it getting denied due to wrong sources. But i suggest adding links to where the pdf files are gathered from so that they have the ability to double check so that the files haven’t been manipulated.
Here is the source for the C version as well, though i’m uncertain if this should be attached or not. Maybe better to have it attached just in case and mention that it is attached for comparison.
