In my opinion the best looking generation by far are the WW II fighters. MiG-3/5, Corsair, Bf-109, FW-190, P-61, Ki-43, D-520, … pretty much every major nation had their beautiful looking fighters.

why do you suggest Gripen should use EJ-200 instead of F-414, because of standardization with Typhoon? F-414 seems the best choice for Gripen.

I think standardization is very important on the data link, and then probably NATO standards is the way to go, since all NATO countries and countries operating with NATO want to use that.

Also, why Pirate or OSF instead of IR OTIS? The IR OTIS system is world leading… gf0012aust knows what he is talking about.

I like your point about Galileo — actually a very good point!

L

Sorry for the late reply, had to go for some days to the hospital.

I’m not sure if the F-414 is really a better choice for Gripen NG. Gripen NG is said to be able to supercruise, so why not use an engine that is more efficient at it ?

Regarding the datalink. I don’t want to replace Link 16 with TILDS. What I want is a new, standard module. Able to use Link 16 for low volume communication and linking up with NATO assets and one shortrange highvolume comlink along the line of TILDS.

Regarding the IR sensor: if IR OTIS is really that great ( I don’t know) then just fit it in the PIRATE case. I just like the PIRATE, for it’s plug and play capability.

In principle I just want to see higher production numbers for all the subsystems. And this is only possible with standardization.

Oh yes, the evil Russians. Only the mighty USA will save us. :rolleyes:

I think there is distinct difference between the US and Russia. Even if it often looks different, European NATO countries and the US are still allied, and share more interests then EU and Russia.
Regarding the F-35, well, it is different to all current European fighter programmes. And if this difference is exactly what the (insert random airforce) finds useful, they should go for it. And several nations will, for different reasons.

PATRIOT
AMRAAM
F-35
F-16
F-18
F404 engines
Any radar or ECM/ESM systems
C-17
Brimstone
RAM (the missile, not the other junk)
anything produced by Russia or the Ukraine
JDAM

A good part of those items are either collaborative programmes or are license produced in Europe.
Considering equipment from Russia and Ukraine, I would have some reservations against more complex systems. I see no problem in infantry weapons.

F-16/60 aren’t exactly cheap, and have a very limited userbase. Block 52+ would make more sense as an economy solution.
But I guess the HAF would like to have an answer to Turkish F-35. And somehow I can’t see the F-16/52 could qualify as such.
Later on, the F-35 is a given I think. Would be a wonderful replacement for the Phantoms, pretty much same weight and size (and similar cockpit visibility :p).
At this point, Greece could decide about F-16 and M2K replacement. F-35, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen, Neuron or even PAK-FA.

In my opinion the Typhoon makes most sense to Greece right now. It is so far the best available airframe to counter the shorter reaction times resulting from Turkish JSF introduction.
The aircraft is compatible with US weapons, as well as offering an independend source for a2a missiles and some a2g munitions.
Later on, they can decide to purchase more Typhoons, JSF or even Neuron (or what ever comes out of the programme) to replace M2K’s.