The problem with running on 3 engines instead of 4 is that you lose a respectable bit of safety margin. Unlike someone previously stated, a 747 on 2 engines isn’t a very pleasant ride. The 747 is not flyable fully loaded on 2 engines – therefore a lot of fuel has to be dumped in order to maintain altitude. Still, if you manage to dump the fuel you got to make sure that was left is enough to take you home.

So this wasn’t a very wise decision by the BA captain. From my personal point of view, that pilot should have been grounded for a while.

regards,
Castor

The strong points about designing a trimaran instead of mono hull is that you’ll have more deck space, which are useful when it comes to helo landing zones. And perhaps more important, the hull will require less depth which means lower fuel consumption and higher top speed.

There are disadvantages as well. I believe that catamaran sailing ships can behave very dangerously during bad weather and high waves due to their small depth. The same should go for trimarans.

It’s an interesting design at least, and I think it could have a future when it comes to smaller sized vessels (ie corvettes) that need a bit larger helo landing zones than todays mono hull designs can give you.

If the navy intends to learn something from sinking this carrier and if the lessons learned can save a couple of lives in future conflicts – why not?

Castor

and Aurel, where did you get the 30,000-50,000$ per hour figure for the Sukhoi ?!! thats a ridiculous number ! back it up with some evidence please.

Ok hotshot, there’s another thread on this forum where vikasrehman states that israeli F-15’s costs 15,000$ per flight hour (and he claims the source being AFM). Now do you honestly believe that Su-27 would be cheaper to maintain? Don’t think so…..

I would not worry about the name that much. SAAB is getting export orders even against much more world-market established manufacturers …

Somehow, I believe that you might hear a Saab engineer (or perhaps a former one 😀 ) complain about all the politics involved in selling a fighter. The tenders aren’t always about getting the right stuff but buying from the right country. Look at Poland and look at the Czech deal, where an ambassador from a certain country told the czechs that their relationship with this certain country would become deep frozen if they weren’t going to make the right decision.

Castor

Let me just point out, as the article stated itself, that these categories are based upon opinions. Depending on who you speak with, you’ll get different answers to what a third generation fighter is etc. For example, Lockheed people won’t be too keen on classifying F-16 as a third generation fighter whereas Dassault people won’t be too keen on classifying Rafale as a 4,5 generation fighter.

Here is an alternative classification scheme:

1st generation:
Has it’s origin in the propeller driven aircrafts, but if we look at jets it’s fighters such as Mig-15, F-86 Sabre, Vampire and J-29 Tunnan.

2nd generation:
From the time slightly after second world war where integrated weapons- and avionicssystems were being introduced. As an example you’ll have F-5 Freedom fighter, Mig-21 and J-35 Draken.

3rd generation
Supersonic fighters that uses separated digital systems that are based upon computers to a higher degree than previously in order to deliver specific functions. Examples; Mig-29, Viggen, F-16, Mirage 2000, F-18 Hornet.

4th generation
Supersonic fighters that have a digital infrastructure that is described as a fully integrated computerized system, using a common database and a common interface. In this way, aircraft performance (regarding sensors, weapons, control surfaces, interface etc) can be improved in a very easy way allowing the creations of specific user designed functions when needed. In plain english, implementing new functions in Eurofighter means updating the software since there is excess power in the computers to handle new tasks while upgrading F-16’s means switching hardware. Examples of 4th generation fighters is Gripen, Rafale and Eurofighter.

5th generation
Stealthtechnology at a completely new level combined with generation 4 properties. Examples; JSF, F-22.

But as I said previously, these categories are being changed all the time depening upon who you speak with. The categories I’ve showed could shurely be considered as “pro” european from an american point of view.

best regards,
Castor

You know that times has changed when the best rapper is white (Eminem), one of the best golf players is black (Tiger Woods), China dictates the world economy and Dassault are accusing EADS for playing dirty tricks.

Castor