why not smaller EF version? electronics, engine efficiencies and materials makes it possible to cut size, after all, size is cheaper in all aspects.
a single medium thrust engine fighter with canards? isn’t that what saab is doing already it seems.
all these asian countries do got the $$$, they can aford longer range with two engines. especially if you toss in stealth and market it as a better alternative to F-15SE/F-18E/F/ Flankers because its newer/stealthier, and better than JSF because its “faster”, and whatnot. isn’t that where the big $$$ is at anyways?
think about, Bill S is constantly groaning about a twin-F414 engined Medium stealth fighter as what could have been, and looks like Both Japanese (with the Shinshen) and Koreans with their twin engined mini rapator is both in that class if not exactly in concept. Boeing’s F-18E/F and 15SE follow ons are really attempts to sequeeze last drop out of their st-louis production line before goint for 6th gen.
and looks like chinese 5th gen medium is going to be twin engined too.
Americans are going for the single engine solution again for the “lower tier” manned 5th generation fighter. constrained by Stovl. but not all countries need stovl. seems this time around not all countries will go for a single engine solution. you have a proliferation of twin engine requirements but not the technical execution. so that shows at least some body recognized there is a need.
the biggest mark against EF is percieved lack of “stealth” right? it has a good engine, good radar, good ew, good performance.
so why not make a EFT-XL based on F-16XL concept but stealth focused. who knows, it might be a hit.
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