Why don’t the Indians point out the parameters that ultimately favoured Boeing? That would mean end of discussion – wouldn’t it?

What? Read the article one again…

Well, the article doesn’t give you the whole truth either. The first two Gripen crashes were prototypes/demonstrators and not airforce operative fighters.

increase the drag? lol it is profilated like a wing, so even help a bit!

– Then I suppose we just wait to see the next generation french fighters with 348 different fuel probes designed to help create lift? Get real. The probe may be designed in order to minimize the drag it introduces, but the drag is certainly not zero. And yes, you can design structures to create lift, but the small amount of lift this air-refuel probe introduces is not worth the price of drag you get. Besides, the thing will introduce non-symmetric aerodynamic effects – but let’s not get into details here, I can see that you’re having a hard time to keep up with just the basic facts of aerodynamics.

The only reason I can see to why Dassault choosed this variant is that there’s probably no room to house the thing within the airplane. Hence a non-retractable external probe.

Cliff Barnes

Airbus has had two or three years of dominace. Now is Boeing’s term. And we should hope the cycle continues in this fashion. It can only be good for all concerned.

I totally agree on what you say. But I would also like to add a comment; if A and B wouldn’t experience this kind of competition they would end up being fat cats. By that I mean that they would stop developing their products in the same speed as of today, giving new competitors from Brazil, Russia or even India the chance of getting into the market. That would be the fall of american and european aerospace industry.

regards,
Cliff

upon evaluation I can see how my reply to you may have seemed a little forcefull or arrogant. My apologies that wasn’t my intention.

– No hard feelings mate!

As to the commonality… all I know is what I’ve read in various new articles about the Leahy interview in which he was confident, almost to the point of arrogance, that Airbus will announce many orders for the A350.

– Much of what Leahy says is marketing bs.

regards,
Cliff

I agree, this A350 looks like it’s gonna be a version of Boeing’s 717 – (Selling wise)

I think you’re wrong.

If you’re an all out Airbus customer it might be interesting to add an airplane who will benefit from fleet commonality with other Airbuses. The cockpit design and function are virtually the same making it a small step to move pilots from A320/A330-or whatever to A350.

Boeing 717 was much more of an odd bird. Although a pretty beutiful one.

Wow, he can draw circles on a picture. Are we supposed to be impressed or what? If you’re implying it’s been Photoshoped then where’s your evidence? As I’ve used Photoshop for a living for going on nine years now I’ll be looking forward to your explanation.

If you have been using Photoshop for a living you should know that it’s ovals – not circles.

Then you should take a closer look to the aft most oriented missiles (marked with black oval). They’re being shadowed in exactly the same manner as the foremost two missiles (also marked with black oval).

Then lets carry on with the outer wing stationed missiles (marked with yellow ovals). Those situated at the fighters outer left wing is clearly bathing in sun while those at the outer right wing is in shadow. Why? Because the wing is between them and the sun.

Finally, let’s have a look at those fuel tanks (marked with red oval). The airplanes left fuel tank is having it’s front part bathing in sunshine, while the central and right one is shadowed. Why? Because of the wing is between them and the sun.

By looking how the sun reflects on the aircrafts fin and structure, together with wath the yellow and red ovals have showed, one can clearly see from what direction the sun comes. It’s from the pictures upper left corner translated into the depth.

Therefore, the two aft oriented missiles within the black ovals should have had just as much shadow as the central fuel tank, the right wing fuel tank and the right wing outer missiles. And they should definetely not look like copies of the two foremost missiles.

*Sigh* Yet another frenzy of geniuses trying to judge aircraft performance by looking at photoshoped drawings published on the internet. Spare me. 😮