Sure, exact numbers for empty weight, internal fuel (C and E models) plus MTOW would be nice 😉

@ MSphere

6x GBU-10, 4x AIM-120C, 2x IRIS-T, 1x 1,000 liter EFT. That’s over 7,500 kg. If you replace AMRAAMs by Meteors and centreline fuel tank by a 1,500 liter version, you get another 620 kg, making the total loadout of almost 8,200 kg.

Not quite. Those are not GBU-10s, but UK Paveway II 1000 lb bombs. They’re 540 kg I think. Stations 2/12 and 4/10 don’t support 1000 kg stores, my guess is 750 kg tops. 1500 l tank doesn’t exist and if it would, it wouldn’t fit at the center station.

Heaviest load possible today is 1x 1000 l tank, 4x Meteor, 2x ASRAAM, 2x Taurus, 4x UK Paveway II. That’s ~1000 + 4x 185 + 2x 90 + 2x 1400 + 4x 540 kg or 6880 kg. Add a bit for pylons and ammo and you’re at around 7500 kg. 9000 kg might be theoritical with planned but never introduced 2000 l tanks and/or CFTs.

Well re-entry speed is very high, surely that results in a nice sonic boom even though it’s at high altitude. If you say re-entry phase = landing phase, the article is correct. They didn’t say sonic boom at touchdown.

I just observed that those T-38 where without any wetbags in that picture. Makes them harder to spot, adding Jammer pods would amplify that, just sayin.

T-38 can’t carry tanks. Most T-38 don’t have pylons at all. Only the AT-38B/T-38B is equipped with a centerline station. They can in theory carry ECM pods but I don’t know if that capability is used operationally. I certainly haven’t seen operational T-38s carry ECM pods.

Ofc, 4 harpoons but also with 2 external 370 gallon fuel tanks and a wingtip WVRAAM to be fully operational isn’t it? Now really, “uninformed reply”?

Those are 600 gal tanks actually. And the missiles are Japanese ASM-2.

I know, i only point out that they use F-15 as aggressor too

The F-15 aggressor squadron has been disbanded in 2014.

Aggressor f-15 , F-16 don’t carry bomb as far as i know, they fly very clean most of the time.

True, but they fly Block 25/32 models, not the hottest F-16 version. The Alaskan aggressor unit has Block 30 jets though.

F-35 SDD is paid up so it will be completed by late this year or early next year. OT&E is also paid for so you can’t take money away from it. Sequestration is the only reason the Navy is even considering pitting the Super Hornet against the F-35C. Despite their modest sequestration time-frame F-35C procurement the Navy still has to lay the groundwork for fielding the aircraft, training pilots and developing logistical capacity. Since they have moved their procurement ramp up to post the BCA caps they could possibly look to avoid some of these investments buy buying a few years worth of F-18E/Fs more. Other than that there is really only one additional reason to buy more Super Hornets and that is to preserve the USN supplier base for strike fighters as they slowly roll towards their next aviation project (MQ-25).

What about the fact that the F-35C is not actually ready? Issues like the nose gear and required new outer wings, let alone the few weapons that are integrated. The Navy has to buy Super Hornets to replace worn out legacy Hornets. Other options would be to have less fighters on deck, or field carrier air wings with F-35C prototypes. They probably don’t want that.

sell their Typhoons to who?

none of the nations building and operating them will be interested in buying more as they try already to reduce their orders. What’s more, they are T1 aircraft that would need serious upgrade to be brought on par with what they use now. and what country will be interested in fighters that cost an arm to operate? Looks to me they’re stuck with their typhoons for the time being.

Yes finding a buyer would be a challenge.
But I think the actual goal of Austrian politicians is not to sell the EFs but to dissolve the contract with Airbus due to criminal acts. That needs proof of course, of which none exists so far.

given the very modest difference in purchase & operational cost between gripen C and E,
i for one can not justify opting for C.
since their EF cant be sold, there must be a reason i’m not aware of to fork up the dough
for another fighter until their T1 is worn out

The reason for A/C over E is simple: Older Gripens are cheaper. E models would have to be bought new. Forget it.
The reason they want to get rid of the EFs is politics. Socialists and most of the population hate them and the socialists want to win the next election so they try everything.

The Austrians are doing nothing of the sort. They’ll either retain their EFs or divest them and give up fighter jets altogether – like Ireland, Albania, Slovenia & the Baltic states.

Giving up fighter jets is a possibility, but less likely than a solution with fighter jets imho. Gripen is a real possibility. Austrian socialists are best buddies with their Swedish colleagues.
Albania, Slovenia and the Balts are all NATO members so their solution does not work for Austria.