Good lord, i’d never have imagined someone could find the concept of unofficial interest such a dificult thing to grasp. I could tell you of a couple more aircraft types that sections (for want of a better term) of senior RAF personnel were also showing unofficial interest in but I wouldn’t want to give one an aneurysm in the process.

Please! Go and work out the difference and maybe you’d might just get a clue. :rolleyes:

According to Tactical Reports (not reliable, i agree)

Tactical Report can be reliable, but I wouldn’t always place/bet one of my Gibson Guitars on some of their reports.

Ok , I back pedal . Happy now ? 🙂

Well, I’m happy either way. Speed isn’t the deciding factor for an interceptor. At one point before the likes of the Typhoon, Gripen and Rafale came along the Harrier FA2 was considered by many to be one of, the, most potent interceptor/fighter in Europe because of it’s AIM-9L, AMRAAM and Blue Vixen radar combination. An aircraft famous for not having a high top speed and like Tornado, wasn’t conceived to be an interceptor.

@Belethor,

As i’ve said (for the third time) it wasn’t official but the interest was there, a very strong interest infact. What I am curious about is that this subject seems to upset you, may I ask why?

Not upset in the slightest. If there was an interest as you claim there was, it wasn’t significant enough for the RAF/MoD to issue a RFI to Lockheed Martin/DoD. Its not, or wasn’t “very strong” as you imply. Simply put… the RAF weren’t interested.

Not officially no. Just like I said.

Then they didn’t show any interest… :rolleyes:

Funny that but I was under the impression the US has some of the most liberal free speech rights on the planet. But anyway, i’d say it was a huge mistake not to flog the F-22 whilst they had the chance (RAF, JASDF and RAAF) but it wasn’t not sold to them for fear they ‘might find out’ how poor it is but rather it wasn’t sold for security reasons. I know Air Force personnel of one of those countries I listed wanted it (unofficially of course) before it actually entered production.

The RAF never showed interest in the F-22.

@Bluewings,

On the tarmac , 1 F-35 and 1 F-15 , waiting …

…

Scamble , Scramble !

Mission , destoy a Foxbat flying high and fast .
My money is on the Eagle , not on the Lightning .

Cheers .

Pretty much ignored my question, but aye. :rolleyes:

@Belethor,

To be fair the very same thing could be said of the Typhoon. Costly, limited capabilites, old and complex achitecture and the necessary updates require no small amount of time and money.

Except for the fact of the matter that even in it’s current form the Typhoon is rather more versatile than the F-22 and has funding for enhancements and upgrades…

@Bluewings,

Yes the F-35 is not an Interceptor (too slow)…

We all know the F-35 has a secondary role in A/A and is not the most compelling airframe as far as flight characteristics is concerned. But whats “Too slow” for an interceptor? In the real world where most intercepts take place, theres not too many airliners and large 4 engined bombers that are going to break Mach 1 anytime soon. :rolleyes:

Are you kidding? That method did not work out well for RAF Tornados in Desert Storm. All suffered horribly from AAA. Try again.

What other alternatives were there to take out the runways in Desert Storm? :rolleyes:

Do try understanding them yourself and take notice whom they are from before you post them rather than let others point out their flaws. Learn to do that then figure out what you’re pointing at. You might get a clue.

In F-35 news:

F-35 Alternatives Probed By Harper Government…

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/25/f-35-alternatives-canada_n_2552681.html