Original Post-

“I have been loosely following the EF/Typhoon program for years now, and with all do respect to its supporters, I just don’t understand what is so awesome about this aircraft? I know I probably need a good “prospective kick in the pants” on this subject, so please give me your opinion of how the EF/Typhoon stacks up against similar platforms or what its groundbreaking or practical virtues are. It seems like a European Super Hornet with better aerodynamics and way less weapons/avionics integration and flexibility. I know there will be some very strong opinions on this subject so let it rip!”

The is a one sides closeminded ridiculous know it all post? Shoot a guy for asking for some opinion while admiting he needs more info? start you own message board where people just sit and agree with you Daffy, discourse bring truth!

Schorch:”The Eagle wasn’t exactly great in its time, it isn’t today.”

Wow, I have never heard that before. I guess a combat proven aircraft WITH A KILL TO LOSS RATIO OF 104 to 0 WASNT GREAT IN ITS TIME????????… I have about EVERY military historian and armchair enthusiast in the sane world that will tell you different… So what modern aircraft was great in its time, and for gods sake give me your personal criteria for a “great in its time” platfrom.:mad:

PS: I agree the Typhoon will be a nice package when its development has come a bit further, and its in no way a piece of junk or a lame duck, but I hear certain individuals and read from certain scources that this thing is groundbreaking and awesome in every way, tough to swallow when viewed amongst its peers.

IMHO no one has made a fair argument as to what makes the Typhoon so great. I am hearing rediculous statements like:
“I wont be suprised if Typhoon achieves the same success as F-16 did in Intl Market.”

And definitions of what data fusion/avionics integration means etc etc etc.

THIS IS VERY OLD NEWS MY FRIENDS! I am sure she is a good product for the 1990’s but not for today. I would wait for the F-35 which has stealth, UNREAL weapons/sensors/data fusion, will have good AG integration out of the box, and high production numbers to lower costs etc.

PS: The fact that it has lots of thrust and is optomized for the SuperSonic flight regime means very little these days, the smartest weapons system has a greater overall impact on the battlefield compared to a powerfull and fast jet. Further the Radar is probably good but with AESA you have a new capability in the nose that cant be compared to a mechanical array. Hell with the F-22 you get it all!

PhantomII-
I bet you see alot of awesome stuff working there!

“the F-22 couldn’t dogfight the A-10… couldn’t take down if it launched everything at it.”- colonel marksman

You believe 6 AIM120s, 2 AIM-9M, and 480 rds of 20mm will not take down an A-10?

Did you know that between 1990 and 2002 there have been 6 combat losses of A-10s. All to IR homing SAMs:

SA-16: 3
SA-13: 2
SA-9: 1

http://afhra.au.af.mil/short_studies/USAFMannedAircraftCombatLosses1990_2002.pdf

I believe USAF lost an A-10 over Baghdad to a MANPAD as well.

How in the hell can an A-10 sustain the lot of F-22s magazine while it has been knocked down by shoulder launched missiles in the past????????

I agree with everything mentioned concerning slow ETAs of A-10s and the usefullness of fast movers. Great points. I agree for the need (or at least want) of F-35, but does the usaf, and marines for that matter, need SO many in an all stealth force. Shouldnt the USAF buy less F-35, instead buy some F-16 Block 50+ for half the price of F-35, thus maintaining airframe inventory, and freeing up more money for F-22? This would keep industry happy as well as the tax payer while providing and optimum airframe/capability mix.