it seems that starting from the 3rd generation of aircraft, we see a tend leaning towards the development of multi role aircraft over dedicated aircraft, especially in the 4th generation.

it can be argued that a multi role aircraft will not be as good as a dedicated aircraft in a specific role, especially when it comes to pilot training (training a pilot to be a master of a single role versus one who has to learn many roles but does not strongly excel at one). It can also be argued that such multi role aircraft are much more complex to build and take a longer time to integrate its various components

However others argue that while it may be more expensive than a dedicated aircraft.. it is cheaper to own and operate one multi role aircraft rather than two dedicated one, especially during peaceful times.

what are your thoughts on this issue?

The concept of the “multi-role” combat aircraft is hardly new, but the previous specialization of types stemmed from limitations in payload and avionics, not to mention the demands of differing flight profiles. Take the time to compare the F-105 with the F-106 and the reasoning behind specialization becomes very clear. It is also equally clear why the multi-role F-4 effectively succeeded both types in production.

Since the issue reflects on how much a pilot can handle, it also brings up single seat versus two seaters.. there’s been a tendency for two seat strike aircraft to distribute the tasks (as it may be too difficult for just one person).. as we see in certain F-16, M2000, Su-30, F-15 models.. and a drift towards buying more 2 seaters than planned (Rafale and Typhoon).. however the F-35 seems to break this trend, reverting back to a single seat.. has the work load on the F-35 reduced so much that its role can be done with ease by one pilot?

The truth is that the justification for a two seater fleet is becoming increasingly tenuous. There is invariably a sacrifice in fuel capacity, increased production costs and an increase in life cycle costs due the WSO in the back seat. Is it any wonder that the two seat naval Rafale N was abandoned on cost grounds?

We all know that the two seat F-22B was canceled in the mid-90s, and the shorter legged F-35 will probably never have a twin stick version. Neither type requires a two seat variant for conversion training. In the near future, even the pilot fatigue issue might disappear, removing one of the last arguements for the two seat fighter.

They’d paid for it in gas relief as usual :dev2:

I’m sure that Russia is more than capable of redeeming and repainting this rather decrepit looking Soviet era hulk, but would it be worth the expense?

You really have to ponder if this ship is any better condition than the ex-Gorshkov, or even the ex-Varyag? Was the ship guarded and dehumidified all these years, or was it stripped by thieves and left to rust?

Hi,
Sounds interesting, never heard or seen anything about it though.

http://www.armada.ch/06-5/complete_06-5.pdf

The article mentions India as a potential customer for the 27,500 tonne AOR, although there were also rumors that India had already agreed to a purchase from Fincantieri? No additional details are given. In any case, this design concept is very obviously from 2006.

Hi,
It gives 143m OA / 133m WL

According to my measurements of the NAAWS drawing from Marineforum, I came up with 143.25 meters overall, with a beam of 18 meters, assuming a 133 meter waterline length.

In the last issue of “Panorama e difesa” is reported that the Italian navy is negotiating a contract from € 20 million to upgrade the project of all FREMM (including the first 2) with SAAM-ESD and Sylver A50

The number of vls and version of EMPAR are unknown, but is highly likely to be 32 vls and active EMPAR

It sounds as if the Italian Navy is mirroring French thinking in terms of the FREMM-FR AAW variant. Upgrade an existing multi-role radar (EMPAR or Hercules), without a separate long range search (no S1850M or SMART-L), and employing Aster 30 instead of Aster 15.

In the end, Aster 15 isn’t all that much cheaper than Aster 30, and the two missiles apparently interchangeable with the exception of the booster stage.

In general I wouldn’t rate the capabilities lower than in Spain, Italy, Germany, not to talk of France, Sweden or the UK. The Netherlands could have preserved some capabilities if they had joined the Eurofighter, but they elected not to do so. The workshare (both production-wise and design-wise) they get on the JSF will be pathetic.

The Eurofighter was never a serious option for the Netherlands. Availability was too late to be an alternative to a mid-life update of existing F-16s, and the program was too early to be an F-16 MLU replacement candidate.

Fokker ultimately flell victim to the financial weakness of its German parent company, which illustrates that the Dutch aerospace sector was ultimately destroyed by pan-European collaboration.

As strange as it seems, Dutch withdrawal from Panavia and the sensible rejection of the Eurofighter consortium probably prolonged the life of the Dutch aerospace sector, as well as saving the Dutch taxpayers a tremendous amount of money over the last 4 decades.

As a reminder, current Tigers in service stand at 30:

France: 10 Tigre HAP
Australia: 9 Tiger ARH
Germany: 6 Tiger UHT
Spain: 3 Tigre HAP
+ 2 unknown

That is just pitiful.

With only 9 airframes at the moment, Australia is the second biggest user for the Eurocopter Tiger?

The Tiger is a pan-European RAH-66 Commanche, to put it bluntly.

An excellent striker, what is not reflected in numbers built for unknown reasons.

The reasons for the relative lack of export success for the Jaguar were entirely obvious. It wasn’t a multi-role type in the same sense as the Mirage or any of the contemporary American fighters. In addition, the British content restricted the sales prospects to embargoed countries, such as Iraq or South Africa, both of which were major Mirage F-1 customers. For a limited specialist role, which as important to the RAF and less so to the French, the Jaguar was superb. However, it was far less marketable than any Mirage or American fighter.