Eurofighter Typhoon

[Kiltonge]

Avoiding over-reliance on the US...

Not doing a very good job of it given that all three platforms so far are highly or totally reliant.

If Eurofighter is a serious contender then perhaps it's an opportunity to cancel the F-16 upgrades and phase that type out. Yes, premature retirement but no air force of that size has any business running four types of fighter. The USAF is trying to get away from that scenario itself.

 

[djpowell1984]

Not doing a very good job of it given that all three platforms so far are highly or totally reliant.

If Eurofighter is a serious contender then perhaps it's an opportunity to cancel the F-16 upgrades and phase that type out. Yes, premature retirement but no air force of that size has any business running four types of fighter. The USAF is trying to get away from that scenario itself.

if they do it phase out and give ukraine an ex poland f16 gain eurofighter, would it is good move?

 

[Ainen]

Avoiding over-reliance on the US...

Ugh, it's pointless at this point.

If one wants to stop over-relying on US - a nice start will be to design a native MRAAM(no, not meteor), and procure more than one week worth of them(Hi France). Otherwise, without US 5-6 digit weapon stocks, it's all but chest-pumping.

It won't do much to spite the US or even reduce reliance. It'll just make Trump the first US president who actually made Europe pay for its defence. Making americans afraid by doing something they tried to get you to do for decades isn't really going to work.

 

[timmymagic]

If one wants to stop over-relying on US - a nice start will be to design a native MRAAM(no, not meteor)

Why not Meteor....who wants a fair fight anyway....

But there is actually an easy solution to getting a cheaper MRAAM....have a look at CAMM-ER's dimensions....particularly after you take the turnover pack off....RF seeker, 2 way datalink, 120km+ from air launch. What more would you want...

I suspect the stock price of US defence contractors would disagree....

 

[Ainen]

Why not Meteor....who wants a fair fight anyway....

It doesn't really work as normal MRAAM; ducted ramjet comes with a whole set of pros and cons, higher Isp and throttling are just the top of the list.
Furthermore, it is expensive, and production capacity is at the moment quite limitedm

I.e. it isn't about fairness, it's about not getting crippled.

Meteor was clearly designed as a somewhat assymetric compliment to either AMRAAM or MICA series.

But there is actually an easy solution to getting a cheaper MRAAM....have a look at CAMM-ER's dimensions....particularly after you take the turnover pack off....RF seeker, 2 way datalink, 120km+ from air launch. What more would you want...

SAMs sit in supportive sealed canisters on their tail for their whole life.

AAMs fly exposed to maneuvers and long term heating on the aircraft. Then, during the launch, get a massive kick right to the middle.

Nothing unsolvable, but it isn't simple and easy, more of new weapon on the same core components.

 

[timmymagic]

Meteor was clearly designed as a somewhat assymetric compliment to either AMRAAM or MICA series.

It wasn't. It was designed as a full replacement for Amraam for the UK's fighter fleet. The only reason an order for D-3 has been made is because of F-35 Block IV delays, otherwise Amraam would have exited UK service as C-5 reached end of life.

AAMs fly exposed to maneuvers and long term heating on the aircraft. Then, during the launch, get a massive kick right to the middle.

Lucky CAMM and CAMM-ER are based on an AAM's components then....hence the 'Common' part of the name. Particularly for CAMM the Asraam Blk VI uses practically all components (no turnover pack, folding fins or RF seeker though).

Furthermore, it is expensive

Look at the price for a non-US customer for Amraam C-8 or D-3....then look at Meteor cost...they're both c$3m. For partner countries its likely Meteor is cheaper than buying from the US....and thats before you add in all the benefits of industrial work and taxation.

 

[Hood]

Somethings afoot when even the Guardian and the trade union Unite are clamouring for Tranche 5 Typhoons over more F-35s.

British defence jobs and skills will keep us safe, says the PM. So he’d better buy the UK’s jet, not the US one

Why purchase American-made F-35 jets instead of upgraded T5 Typhoons? Surely that would make a mockery of all he promised, says Sharon Graham, general secretary of the union Unite

www.theguardian.com