Never mind the IRST , it doesn ‘t do the killing .

But is a vital element to slot another aircraft.

Asraam is not a BVR missile as per say , the Mica is . ex : compare the NEZ of the Asraam at 30km with the NEZ of Mica at the same 30km ! 😀
Check again at 40km , etc …

I’ll take the RAF’s word for it, it is a BVR capable missile, capable at what BVR range we simply don’t know. So lets say the NEZ of ASRAAM is 30km, who says a target can’t be engaged at that range with Meteor?

A BVR IR Missile is always a good thing to have , for any fighter .

That doesn’t explain why its any better than a Typhoon with a built in dedicated PIRATE/IRST system, HEA, ASRAAM, Meteor and Captor-E.

Also by 2020 we could also be talking about a new Scottish Air Force.

Scotland already have an air force called the Royal Air Force (RAF). You might have heard of it, no?

Yet another silly thread…

You look rather dashing in that pic, SpudmanWP. :diablo:

That sure tells you how difficult it was for the typhoon team to develop the EF prototype from the EAP demonstrator.

Not really. To be fair, the Rafale Demonstrator had much more in common with the final production model, albeit with minimal changes regarding the airframe at least. Theres quite a significant difference between the EAP and the first Eurofighter.

@Mildave,

While the Typhoon was supposed to have AtG capabilities from its conception, I cannot shake the feeling that such a promise is similar to the one made by BAE system about how easily it would be to fit a catapult for the QEC carriers…

Indeed, the Typhoon was always mean’t to have A/G capabilities but as mentioned earlier they weren’t mean’t to come until Tranche 2. If anything, no promises have been broken. On the contrary in fact.

Is the RAF still looking into RecceLite or something else, Jackonicko?

Regards.

Spain’s government has tendered a proposal to its Peruvian counterpart covering the possible sale of 18 Tranche 1 Eurofighter combat aircraft currently in service with its air force.

Reportedly valued at €45 million ($61 million) per aircraft, the proposal was submitted at the request of the Peruvian defence ministry.

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/noticia-spain-offers-eurofighters-to-peru-446063.aspx

Very skeptic about this.

that does not say anything concrete on the roadmap. I mean the money can be spend to stick to the roadmap…or elsewhere…Depending where it it is deemed the most appropriate. And those numbers are not contracted yet it is just a budgetary roadmap that can change after the next election or economic downturn.

Granted of course, theres nothing set in concrete and is unclear as well as being doubtful in some areas… however, the budget announcement clearly indicates there is funding available for the Typhoon and given recent snippets of information released its quite credible, despite being frustrating regarding the constantly changing programme itself and some information released.

With the F35 coming to take the AtG role with game changing capabilities (stealth, sensors) the case for the typhoon roadmap in its totality will “probably” diminish.

It depends what A/G roles the F-35 will cover and it also depends on it’s numbers which are still yet to be announced, also depends on how many the RAF will get and how many the RN/FAA will get. If the numbers are in double digits then the RAF will either have to go ahead with a fully multi-role capable Typhoon fleet, or try to keep the Tornado GR4 in service for a little bit longer which might possibly happen from what I can see. As far as I know, Storm Shadow and RecceLite is funded for the RAF’s Typhoon. It looks as though we won’t see Brimstone on RAF Typhoons since Paveway IV is a credible alternative in ‘some cases’, SPEAR 2 is the prefered choice in the 2017-18 timeframe it is believed.

That why in my opinion 2013 will be decisive for the typhoon as it will be probably the last “window” to catch up and remain credible on exports market.

Indeed.

When the French gov contracted rafale roadmap back in 2007 you knew that in 2012 there would be the F3+ standard ready with 60 jets on order. You had greater visibility and insurance over this roadmap…It was a 5 to 6 year effort. I just say that the situation looks less certain for the typhoon.

To be fair, the Rafale was introduced in early-to-mid 2001 with a first flight of mid 1986 compared to the mid 2003 introduction date for Typhoon with a first flight of early 1994. The Rafale has had a much smoother run and a better managed programme than Typhoon’s with much less bickering thus smoother integrations and upgrades & what have you which should be well recieved. However, it must be realised that the requirements for their operators were quite different. Tranche 1 Typhoons aren’t mean’t to have A/G-Multi-Role capabilities. Its sole purpose was mean’t to be A/A because the RAF had the Harrier GR7/9, Jaguar GR3, has Tornado GR4 for A/G and Recce.

The RAF have been committed to integrating the likes of Storm Shadow and RecceLite onto Typhoon for about, what a year maybe(?), independently if it has to with earlier integration than predicted which was around 2015-16. As I say, as far as I know Storm Shadow and RecceLite is funded.

Just that today in those early days of february 2013 typhoon roadmap still looks uncertain.

You’ve gotta look at the Drops and what P1E offers, also at the individual R2P, R2Q and T2Q upgrades etc which were funded. Yet very much kept from public view somewhat, oddly enough.

Note: For some reason this post isn’t getting through it seems. No idea why…