For Fu…sssk…Sake!

I’ve never heard so much bellowing from so many in a long time. One of many reasons why Key Pub has just become ‘another military forum’ among so many with very little to offer. Sorry to the genuine members on here.

As a keen follower of the Typhoon, it doesn’t bother me that it didn’t bag the deal in Switzerland, nor anywhere else for that matter. To be honest, the “2015 spec fighter” would be overkill for their requirements as would the Rafale be too, and at a very high price. And lets be honest; bar peace keeping missions, since when have Switzerland ever contributed anything that would be considered ‘significant’ to any theatre of war in the past 20-30 years, are or likely to contribute? They’re hardly well known for getting their hands dirty. They’re more concerned about washing one’s car on a Sunday morning.

Fair enough, they might not be willing to join in in various campaigns (I really don’t blame them) but they still want something to police & protect their air-space and with credible A/G capabilities should they need them and at a low cost, then what better choice than the plucky, ‘come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough’ Gripen?

It’s a tough little bird and it will be a perfect fit for the Swiss.

If I were a buyer, so to speak, and had two contenders to choose from while knowing that both are suitable for my requirements & I selected the lowest bidder, if the other came back & says, ‘Look, heres a new lower offer, lets talk.’ It’d be music to my ears. Whats the worst that can happen? They’re just going to keep coming back at you trying to out-bid eachother until one throws in the towel, both of them wont leave because of fear of the other getting the deal. Meanwhile, I’d be counting how many pennies I’ve saved and planning my next holiday. Its business, and I wouldn’t give a Monkey’s ar$e what the public says because I’ve saved them *Cough* me *cough* money. :diablo:

The Typhoon’s most impressive characteristic, to those not familiar with its potent performance, was the ease with which it carried large weapon payloads over significant distances in the changeable air environment. On several occasions, en route to the operating area, Typhoon pilots were able to climb over thunderstorms that required other aircraft, with less performance, to re-route around them. This characteristic stood Typhoon apart from its contemporaries.

Carrying up to 4x air-to-air missiles, 4x 1,000 lb bombs, a targeting pod and two under-wing fuel tanks, Typhoon can fly at 40,000 feet and at speeds of over 500 knots while using relatively little fuel. This low fuel consumption had obvious benefits in terms of endurance; it allowed Typhoon to loiter over significant periods providing airborne cover with its complement of air-to-air weapons. Moreover, it also ensured that the Typhoon was less of an air-to-air refuelling burden in the busy airspace.

Typhoon’s performance on Operation ELLAMY was a result of more than just its manoeuvrability and power. The combination of Typhoon’s long-range radar picture and Link-16 data link provides the pilot with exceptional and unrivalled situational awareness of the operating area.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/132546/mod-report-on-typhoon-operations-in-libya.html

I think this ones better:

😀

No, really? :rolleyes:

Theres always going to be ways to counter Stealth with various systems, some being the most simple in many cases. But “shaped” aircraft are always going to play a major part for many aeroplane makers.

Edit: Pretty much agree, Dave. But as I say, “shaped” aircraft are always going to be a major part in design.

For the Typhoon however they developed a very expansive MSA, and it’s only quite recently that they have decided to go ASEA, mostly because it has become an necessity for export. But the domestic need is very low (except the uk).

That’s the reason why the Rafale is going to have AESA before the Typhoon and why the Typhoon (if only the UK is pushing) isn’t going to see one for a moment (unless exported in enough number to a country ready to pay).

The Captor was developed from the Ferranti ECR-90 used on the Harrier FA2, (even then it was considered among many as the best radar on any fighter in Europe) they opted to use the ECR-90 because it was proven and it would keep costs down. So hardly “very expensive” as you claim.

Out of the four Consortium Members, the RAF are pushing hard for Captor-E. The Luftwaffe and Spanish Air Force don’t seem to feel the need for it just yet but who knows, they may be more interested than we think. The Italian Air Force have shown a great deal of interest in Captor-E, probably just as much as the RAF, but still believe Captor-M is more than modern and capable enough for their requirements for the time being.

Saudi Arabia, with a high probability of ordering 72 additional Typhoons and Prince Sultan’s stated intent for Saudi Arabia to have over 200 Typhoons in RSAF service, they’re more than likely to come with Captor-E.

A deal with Oman seems to be in the bag for Typhoon, whether they’ll come with Captor-E, or which Tranche, depends on when they want them delivered to their air force.

No matter when other AESA radars enter service, 1,400+ TR Modules, Repostioner/220~degrees WFoR, multiple modes of operation etc is going to be tricky to better. With specs like these, I’d be more than happy to wait a couple of years longer.

Why, was there something else? Don’t you agree that HEA is in frontline operational service with RAF Typhoons or something?