EELightning😀 classic…
I still can’t figure out why the French are so scared of retractable IFR probes.
They’re not actually in the air long enough to do any fighting so theres not much need to make it a complicated design, its just there for a precaution in case they last a fight. 😀
Just joking, they’re a good bunch really. 😉
EELightningYou can’t beat the Tornado as far as mechanical failure is concerned. Everyting on this plane has mechanical mooving parts which are prone to failure by design :
The sweep wings
The wing pylons
the refueling prob
the 2 radars
the 2 engine reversers
the air intakes
the airbrakes
2 guns…
Mechanical failure? How many of these “mechanical failures” have accured in the Tornado’s entire history? You’ll win a cookie if you can actually come with a number large enough to make it a “failure by design” – of which I have to say about that bit – my English ar$e it is!
EELightningWell, everyones entitled to ones opinions when it comes to ‘if it works or not’, personally I’ve often wondered myself if it would or not but then again, I’m not a aircraft boffin hence why I’m a guitar technician, *giggidy*, and I doubt EADS would want to risk their credibility especially in this day & age where it seems like everyone is in a bit of a rush to buy things that go whooosh that drops things that goes kaboom! So, I say if they think it may work then give them a chance.
Personally, I don’t think Jon Lake is biased when it comes to the Eurofighter, he’s been critical towards it in the past for what I can remember of & I don’t think he takes fools lightly. He’s quite fair compared to other journos.
Meh thats my thoughts anyway.
EELightningAnd a tested and operational AESA is vaporware for EF, while all other contenders will have an operational AESA by 2013.
Apart from the initial 18 aircraft India are to take delivery of – which are likely to be Typhoon T3s for training purposes, obviously logical, really, (Of which has just as a good chance of winning as any, if not has the better chances of winning). By the time HAL set up the facilities to produce the rest of the Typhoons, production lines open, starts, doing what they do, getting aircraft through, fitted out with whatever, into testing etc all the usual stuff and thats before we even mention the training of the Indian boffins. How long will that take? Well it wont be anytime yesterday thats for sure. I believe it has been stated around 2015(ish) when the IAF will take delivery of the Indian-produced Typhoons – which happens to be around the same time the AESA is ready.
Just bought a copy of Air International, Vol.80, April 2011 No.4.
Its pretty much focused on the Typhoon, I haven’t read much of it yet, just been flicking through a few paragraphs about Exercise Indra Dhanush III, AERO India 2011 & Eurofighter 2020 Technology of where its been mentioned, quite a lot.
A little peice by Jon Lake’s Eurofighter 2020 Technology article; pages 46-47.
Takling about the Middle East: ‘…Elsewhere in the region, the Qatar Emiri Air Force is know to be evaluating Typhoon with an evaluation team reportedly expected to visit the BAE Systems Warton facility for a 16-18 sortie evaluation in April 2011, and with clear hopes that Typhoon may be “back in the running” in the UAE, following the failure to complete the expected Rafale deal.’
‘Senior industry sources suggest that the customer air forces and governments are “now supportive of the export effort,” and see a “clear path ahead” on most of the development issues.’
Also mentions the Navalised Typhoon:
Max take-off weight; 23.5 tonnes (51,800lb)
Landing at weights of up to 18.5 tonnes (40,785lb)
*Full weapon and fuel load.
Interesting times indeed. I’ll read through the magazine & quote/post pieces that may be of interest.
EELightningI also thought it was a mistake but then I saw this:
Could still be a mistake of course, but the way it’s phrased, it looks real to me.
Could this perhaps be in addition to the 4 additional Tornadoes that was recently announced?
The four additional Tornados was announced yesterday/day before. I believe the BBC have already announced this and the report of the four Typhoons mentioned was posted around 1pm today.
The BBC have some close links with the MoD and its not uncommon that they report a particular topic before the MoD have confirmed it on their website.
And has just been announced from the BBC News: ‘Four jets have moved from air defence to ground attacks’. So that’ll be the Typhoons then.
So its more or less been confirmed that the Typhoons are/will be performing A/G sorties.
Edit:
Is the Typhie able to lase targets by himself (pod ?) or does he need a third part designator (Tornado, JTAC…) ?
Yes. The loads one aircraft are likely to carry in operation over Libya is; 4x AMRAAM, 2x ASRAAM, 4x LGB’s, 1x Designator pod, 2x drop-tanks and of course, the 27mm cannon.
EELightningFor some reason, a few people seem to be forgetting that the Typhoons India would be purchasing will be that of Tranche 3, which will be with AESA, its what Eurofighter/EADS is offering as part of their bid, its in with the price along with many over things – and what Scorpion82 said about funding & development.
How are things going in Saudi Arabia?
How many a/c did they receive?
Were they delivered according to schedule?
When will they build the assembly line?
And are they happy with their Typhoons?Perhaps that can also influenze the export chances of the Typhoon?
Last I heard the Saudi Typhoons are to be produced in the UK rather than on their own facilities in Saudi Arabia, although they’ll be kept open for future upgrades. I think I read this in the news section from Air Forces Monthly, one of those magazines anyway. This was a little over a month ago & I’ve heard nothing else about it.
Theres a link about somewhere on the net that Saudi Arabia are showing interest in the Tranche 3s, I believe FlightGlobel, maybe something to do with the remaining Typhoons to be produced in the UK. Probably want their remaining lot to be Tranche 3 which would make sense why they’re to be produced here since the expertise is here in the UK/Europe. Who knows.
So, yeah, they seem happy in general I’m guessing.
Theres a new magazine out – (forget which one and didn’t buy it because I didn’t have my wallet with me and my lass spent her last few pound she had on her on a copy of Metal Hammer so I couldn’t lend the money to buy it but no matter, I shall soldier on and buy it, hopefully tomorrow) – its pretty much focused on the Typhoon & some very interesting peices about it.
Two of which are; a number of personnel are coming to the UK from Qatar to have a look/evaluate(?) the Typhoon.
And; there is something quite interesting being reported that may state that the Typhoon is favourite in the MMRCA competition, something to do with price & partnership etc. I’m not 100% sure as I was only quickly flicking through the articles & pages so I will not say anything else until I purchase the magazine & quote was has been stated.
EELightningI agree, it isn’t all doom and gloom !
That the partner nations in the present economic climate cannot justify funding AESA development is not all that surprising I suppose. But their refusal to fund the programme could actually be a blessing in disguise if it forces Eurofighter to take a more proactive approach in funding the final phase of development privately.
It would show that Eurofighter are not only willing to independently fund development (should push come to shove) but that they are also committed to developing the aircraft beyond the immediate requirements of the partner nations. Which is perhaps of even greater importance to the aircraft remaining competitive in future.
True. Its the time to worry when we start to read words like ‘cancelled’, thankfully we haven’t heard it, but its good that they’re looking at other ways to come up with a solution which in turn shows that they’re still interested in the AESA radar.
It’d help if India selects the Typhoon too. And luckily, Eurofighter’s bid to India is the Tranche 3 lot which includes the AESA amonst weapons systems and other gizmos & what not, that gives the chance to intergrate weapons from both A/A and A/G – of which, people that support the other contenders dont seem to realise & take for granted that the Typhoon offered to India is the one thats actually in service now with the most basic of A/G capabilties and avionics. So in my view, India would be doing us quite a favour in terms of getting a few particular capabilities into operational service sooner rather than later if they choose the Typhoon – which I think, theres a good chance they will. Finger crossed eh.
EELightningSince Nato took the lead, no more strikes, germans italians turkish and peace weasels around are making a good job from inside .. enjoying free threat air space to ride, good! lol
How do you know that there has not been any more air stikes since NATO has taken over? Because it hasn’t been reported on the news maybe? Your “sources” havent informed you?…
You can bet on that theres a few sorties being flown in Afghanistan right now without a hint of being broadcasted to the world, it’ll be the same in Libya now. Novelty wears off in the news world you know.
EELightningMixed feelings, good and not so good but not bad too. On a positive note, or notes. Its not because of the actual aircraft/programme itself, they’re not exactly up to their necks with technical problems, its because of such times we live in where the economy is at a low point in Europe and elsewhere – hardly the fault of the programme itself I think its fair to say.
On the other positive note, its very good that the Eurofighter partners are going ahead with the AESA radar, very good for export potential and for the Typhoon’s needs and all, & in my view, this AESA radar is the gateway to future upgrade/growth potential.
EELightningat least shriv and indians are right, from my sources Rafale outperfomed all his contenders in india tests!
as they look for a REAL MULTIROLE fighter !
Your “sources”? The voices in your head do you mean? :rolleyes:
And in case you didn’t notice, all the contenders are real multirole fighters.
@rayrubik, have you got a link/source to those quotes, please?
Edit: Found it. http://livefist.blogspot.com/
…the big European twins, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon — are the IAF’s two most preferred aircraft, and in that order [It was news station Times NOW’s senior editor Srinjoy Chowdhry who first suggested this in a report last year].
The bold bit above is the article that is below that was posted last year:
…Or it has indicated that it would prefer these two aircraft over the others (which one over the other, though, is tantalizingly not mentioned).
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post.html
There has been a lot of rumours and what not stated in the passed year through various sources. And by the looks of these two sources, this chap his twisted a few words a little bit hasnt he? Tut-tut! Don’t take them too literally, eh?
EELightningFat chance, the MoD is scared of flys hitting
the plane let alone AAA bateries firing upon them!
If they thought that then they wouldn’t have sent them there in the first place! :rolleyes:
Not much being reported on the news about Libya/Military Operations as of yet – been quiet today.
EELightningMy GOD !
but where is this famous TYPHOON operating? Turkey?
Probably baby sitting the aircraft performing A/G, recce sorties maybe? Would you send a load of Soviet era aircraft to take on a small number of Typhoons? No, didn’t think so, even you’re not thick enough to do something as stupid as that! :rolleyes:
Libya: Rebels Offer Ceasefire To Gaddafi…Blah, blah, blah no military aviation related stuff…
…Meanwhile, the US is preparing to pull its attack planes out of the coalition airstrikes in Libya – as rebel fighters are pushed back to the eastern town of Brega by the dictator’s advancing troops.
So its probably not an April fools or anything with it being such a serious issue. After they, the US, deployed A-10s and AC-130 gunships to Libya, it just seems a waste of effort & resources since they’re going to be pulled out tomorrow, apparantly. Yet more half-ar$ed “efforts” from Obama & Co – can’t say I’m surprised really since they were just as half-ar$ed before it all started.
So now that the Yanks don’t seem to want to play no more and it now seems the Swedish are sending a few of their Gripens to operate over Libya, maybe now we, UK, can pull our Tonkas out of Afghanistan and maybe get a few Typhoons performing A/G sorties?
EELightningThis is just the hi-tech and extremely expensive version of shooting fish in a barrel: easy, pointless destruction, just so we in the West can postpone the evil day when we have wean ourselves off oil.
I’m sure the English would’ve prefered a couple of Rafales….Eh no not Rafales….Tornado GR4s rather than few thousand longbows & arrows to give the Johnny foreigner Frechies a good going over a few hundred years ago. (Sorry, “blue vs red” or whatever it is we have to call it now so the losing side doesn’t get offended).
Simple, and sad, fact of the matter is, everyones come up with more simple and expensive ways of killing eachother more effectively. Even cavemen had a thought; ‘shall we have a go at that big pussy cat thingy with big pointy teeth with our fists or shall we make a long pointy sharp thing to take it on with?’
Its life, get over it.
EELightningWhat about a few BAE Hawk T1s & 200s; light weight, cheap to buy, maintain, good A/A and A/G capabilities, very good subsonic performance. A very good all round little, light weight, multi-role fighter…
…Actually I think I’d feel a bit upset if I sold them these lovely little aircraft, just sell them a bunch of second hand F-16 Bangers, something easy to shoot down. Kidding(ish) 😀 :diablo:
EELightningMaybe the article was something to do with Dassault’s Rafale and the Mirage?
France tries to tie Rafale with Mirage upgrade
Insidious French attempts to link the Indian Air Force’s (IAFs) long-postponed and contentious Mirage 2000H fleet upgrade to the $10 billion acquisition of Dassault’s Rafale fighters in support of the IAF’s requirement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), have further delayed the pending retrofit.
More here: http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/france-tries-to-tie-rafale-with-mirage-upgrade
Since they don’t seem to know the difference between the Mirage and a Mig-35, I’m not sure how reliable this source is, but I’ll give them the benifit of the doubt.
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