Typhoon – Low risk at a high cost?

Does anybody agree with me that the Typhoon is looking increasingly low-risk, but at a high cost?

1) ECR-90/CAPTOR is a mechanically scanned array design based primarily on the Blue Vixen in the Harrier FA.2s. Now the Eurofighter consortium may say that it will soon be replaced with the AMSAR (soon = 10 years time) and that the PIRATE will form a major part of the Typhoon’s detection systems, but I for one do not believe the quotes of 80km targetting range for the PIRATE (and the PIRATE is, of course, a fair weather system).

2) EJ200 is not a particularly new and innovative design, based primarily on the RB199s in the Tornados.

Now, if we compare this to the Rafale, a design that directly parallels the development of the Typhoon:

1) RBE2 is a phased array design, I’m not very sure but I don’t think it is “based” on any previous design.

2) The Optronique system looks a good thing, as does the Rafale’s self-defence suite (moot point, DASS is looking a good thing too).

So, any thoughts?

MinMiester