I think the EJ200 has more left in it too.

You’re right:

The specification for the EJ200 also required a growth potential of more than 15%. This will be achievable by a number of methods, including most notably increased airflow and/or increased Turbine Entry Temperature (TET) and higher fan compression ratio, while remaining within current dimension and weight parameters. The engine core has actually been designed with an even greater growth in mind.

Perhaps this last sentence is referring to the EJ270.

The main bay cannot handle weapons any larger than the 1,000-lb. GBU-32. In fact, as it stands right now, the F-22A’s A/G capability consists of either eight GBU-39 SDB’s or two GBU-32 JDAM’s…..that’s it. Perhaps the 500-lb. GBU-38 can be fitted at a later date, but that’s about it. Maybe two WCMD’s perhaps…..

No JSOW, no 2,000-lb. JDAM, etc.

When comparing internal weapons carriage, the F-35 is the better bomb truck as it can carry a bigger variety of weapons.

The F-22 is way bigger than the F-35, isn’t it? Why so small a bomb bay?

What else could fit on those empty hardpoints?

Yeah, I thought it was much better than Top Gun, particularly the action sequences (which, let’s face it, is what we’re watching the movie for).

Rented it from Videoself in Montreal, Quebec.

Because modifying the carriers is easy & cheap compared to modifying the Typhoons. The carriers are being designed “for but not with” all the stuff for CTOL, & the base design will be the same for British & French ships. And since they’re not built yet, we might be able to get away with doing the changes before the STOVL bits have been built in.

Modifying the Typhoon for carrier ops would be much more expensive. Development cost would be quite a lot, & for a small number of airframes. If we really, really don’t want to buy French, a naval Gripen would be easier & cheaper to develop. Naval Rafales for the UK would cost very little to develop (certify our weapons, e.g. Asraam, maybe change some systems) & production cost would be similar to – maybe slightly less than – standard Typhoons.

The countries which will be ******** are Italy (especially) & Spain, which are building ships tailored to the F-35B. Both will face losing their naval fighter force when their Harriers wear out, & being left with emasculated ships – especially the Italians. At least for Spain, their new ship is mainly an amphibious vessel, with a secondary carrier role. Cavour is the other way round. Though I wonder . . . if she could be modified for CTOL, maybe navalised Gripens could operate off her. She’s definitely too small for Rafales, though.

One possible result is a resurgence of interest in a Sea Gripen (Kraken? 😉 , due to its small carrier needs.

Yes, I’d quite like to see a navalized Gripen, particularly the Gripen-N.

Just watched Chavaliers du Ciel … loved it! And it had English subtitles!