It’s basically funny for me to see how some people waste their thoughts and get excited about the supercruise thingy. We all know that a lot of official sources have confirmed that the Typhoons supercruise speed is way beyond mach 1.1. So why bother with a data given in a single unofficial source?

New Eurofighter update magazin is available at http://www.eurofighter.com under press => magazin

“Jacko said something like that. But I haven’t seen something official.”

Jacko said it because he’d been at the same Farnborough Press Breakfast as the journo who wrote the FlightGlobal piece, and had enjoyed much the same conversations with Ays Rauen and Brian Phillipson.

He posted on it within a couple of days of it being revealed.

If Jacko says something, he’s giving you pukka gen – often before he and others have written it for the magazines and websites you quote.

Jacko is pi$$ed at being disbelieved “until someone more credible” confirms what he says.

Hi Jacko,
no reason to be pissed. It’s not that I disbelieve you, I just trying to research things carefully… You know what I mean? As Satorian said 😉

@Whitfc,
Litening III will be more automated with P1E, meaning better integration, further details about that are unknown to me.
The HEA Mk2+ helmet is scheduled for delivery by 2009 since quite some time now.

Hasn’t P2E been abandoned a few days ago in favour of quicker and more incremental updates?

Now where you say it, Jacko said something like that. But I haven’t seen something official.

The Ejercito del Aire assumes QRA missions since July 17 as the 4th and last partner of the Eurofighter partner nations.

Eurofighter Typhoon now on QRA Duty in Five Air Forces
24 July 2008

The Spanish Air Force has announced the assignment of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) responsibilities to Eurofighter Typhoon. All five customer Air Forces now operate the weapon system in the air defence role, with Spain following the leads of Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and Austria in deploying their newest weapon system to the first line of defence.

As of 17 July 2008, Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft are working in complement with Mirage F-1s and F-18s in securing Spanish airspace, fulfilling the role out of Morón AFB.

Commenting on the announcement, Aloysius Rauen, Eurofighter CEO, stated: “In a little over six weeks, three customer Air Forces have declared Eurofighter Typhoon operational for QRA tasks. Five Air Forces now deliver an unmatched air defence capability, bolstering national, European and NATO security efforts.”

Italy, in December 2005, was the first nation to assign QRA tasks to Eurofighter Typhoon. The United Kingdom followed suit in July 2007 while Germany and Austria began QRA and air surveillance operations with the type in June and July 2008 respectively. Also in July, the Royal Air Force officially declared their XI Squadron Eurofighter Typhoons as multi-role capable on completion of their deployment to the United States for Exercise Green Flag West.

The Air Forces have accumulated over 42,000 in-service flying hours with Eurofighter Typhoon which, when added to the Test Fleet’s contribution of almost 6,000 hours, accounts for almost 50,000 flying hours.

http://www.eurofighter.com

whats the chance of the Rafale winning the Indian MRCA contest ? What are its positives over the other contenders ?

Difficult to say. The IAF already operates the M2k and has some good relations to France. The Rafale itself is an advanced, capable and flexible contender at competitive cost and with huge growth potential. But there’re open questions about the long term development without further customers, though Dassault and its partners will ensure that the aircraft stays on track as it will be the prime and sole combat aircraft for the AdA and MN for the next decades to come. Excluding maybe some UCAVs which might be introduced in an unknown future.

From the MN deployment to the US.

French Sailors Experience Flight Operations Aboard Roosevelt

(Source: US Navy; issued July 22, 2008)

A French F-2 Rafale fighter lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during combined French and American carrier qualifications. (US Navy photo)
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) is conducting carrier qualifications with members of the French Navy during Operation Brimstone July 21-31.

Pilots from the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 and French navy pilots are learning the value of camaraderie and the true meaning of the term ‘shipmate.’

“Every day we have close air support and air defense missions preparing us for carrier qualifications,” said French Lt. Lebars “Barzy” Stephan, a Rafale pilot assigned to the 12th Fighter Squadron (Flotille 12F–Ed.)

“It’s very nice being aboard TR because we are learning to work together as allies so we can fight more efficiently and effectively. For me, it’s also nice to compare the specifics between the F/A-18E Super Hornets and the French Rafale aircraft.”

While working together, the pilots of both navies recognize their similarities. “It’s been a real treat to have them [the French pilots] around because of the camaraderie and to see the different aspects of their coalition capabilities,” said Lt. Christopher “Buttercup” Jones, a pilot assigned to VFA 31.

“Learning about each other’s cultures helps us with our teamwork. They’re just like us, because at the end of the day, we’re still pilots and we share a lot of things in common, such as terminology, hobbies, and motivational skills.”

Other similarities include how flight operations are controlled and the importance of communications during flight deck operations and carrier qualifications.

“I was called this year to participate in carrier qualifications aboard TR,” said Lt. Cmdr. Yann Beaufils, French Air Boss. “Being an air boss is the same on an American or French aircraft carrier. In the tower, I have direct contact with all the French pilots as they’re flying. Everything is pretty much the same on French and U.S. aircraft carriers. Both our navies are the only ones to operate with these catapults and arresting gear systems on the flight deck.”

During their training, French and U.S. Navy pilots train every day to ensure that TR carrier qualifications run smoothly. It’s good for camaraderie, and also helps instill a sense of pride and teamwork, strengthening allied relationships in training and war-time environments.

Commanded by Capt. Ladd Wheeler, Theodore Roosevelt is the flagship of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRSCG). The TRSCG is preparing for a scheduled deployment later this year.

-ends-

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.39864051.1216824745.FrGKdn8AAAEAAGo4gg0AAAAL&cat=3&prod=96510&modele=release