Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

It would be my opinion that before anything, Euro Fighter should increase EW capabilities, EA, self-protection, SA and weapon integration. Perhaps a more fuel-efficient F414 EDE-equivalent upgrade to the Typhoon's engine would be a viable priority too. One could argue the prudence of modernizing Meteor as a bigger priority too, perhaps with both LO attributes as well as an alternative seeker type?

Only then, should investment be appropriated for things such as LO pods on a non-stealthy airframe. In my humble opinion.

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All they need is Meteor to stay viable A2A for quite some time. A2G against double digit SAMs is dangerous so that gets left to their ally who actually invests in capabilities instead of jobs programs disguised as weapons.

MKopack wrote:

Putting a hood scoop on a Camaro won't make it a Corvette.

You can't "bolt on" stealth if it didn't come with it originally - "Silent Eagle" reduces the Eagle's radar cross section, but doesn't make it nearly low observable.

Mike

This isn't about making it stealthy, it's about minimizing the effect of stores on RCS.

Then go the way of the F-18 International Version, namely a stealthy weapons pod on a std weapons station.

SpudmanWP wrote:

Then go the way of the F-18 International Version, namely a stealthy weapons pod on a std weapons station.

Which is exactly what I was talking about Wink

They should also use an IR MAWS in place of their Pulse-Doppler system for increased stealth. Pulsed Doppler radar is a dumb idea and there's a reason why nobody else uses a similar MAWS.

I also agree that Meteor coupled with a good FCR is essentially what the doctor ordered to remain viable in A2A. They just need to FINALLY get their AMSAR AESA solid state radar into production after a decade of promises and the like.

They have been looking at an IIR MAWS for years called PIMAWS.

http://typhoon.starstreak.net/Eurofighter/defences.html

hcobb wrote:

Why hasn't EuroFighter come out with conformal weapons bays like the Silent Eagle, to stay in the game?

Okay, answering my own question, the wing is mounted too low.

The low wing mounting allows for the canards to be above the wing, even though they are mounted midway on the body, with considerable anhedral angle (what the fnord?), there's no chine-line and just look at that boundary air flow diverter

It's actually not the problem with the Typhoon. They first need to get a working, fully integrated AESA that is able to be economically mass produced. Bolt an AESA antenna on is not that same. It's the software and the manufacturing techniques that the don't yet have right. Then they have to get the avionics to be fully multi role like the Super Hornet or F-35. Then they have to stop p[producing the thing on four separate production lines to bring down it's cost. Then you can start making it stealthy.

SpudmanWP wrote:

They have been looking at an IIR MAWS for years called PIMAWS.

http://typhoon.starstreak.net/Eurofighter/defences.html

It just looks like they're putting it on the ECM fairings though. It doesn't seem to be replacing the pulsed doppler system.

tacf-x wrote:

They should also use an IR MAWS in place of their Pulse-Doppler system for increased stealth. Pulsed Doppler radar is a dumb idea and there's a reason why nobody else uses a similar MAWS.

I also agree that Meteor coupled with a good FCR is essentially what the doctor ordered to remain viable in A2A. They just need to FINALLY get their AMSAR AESA solid state radar into production after a decade of promises and the like.

Wait a sec, One of the Typhoon Fanboys on this board says he'd rather have active MAWS than the F-35's VLO. He's a genius, just ask him so you must be wrong.

geogen wrote:

Perhaps a more fuel-efficient F414 EDE-equivalent upgrade to the Typhoon's engine would be a viable priority too.

The F414 has an inlet 3" larger and a basic diameter 1.5" larger; while the later may not be a big deal (I've never seen the extra space in a EJ200/Typhoon installation) the inlet diameter could be a HUGE deal; likely requiring a redesign of the inlets.

While the EJ200 has a BPR of .4/1 to the F414's .27/1, the F414 does have a final OPR at 30 over the EJ200's at 27. Without knowing the specific SFC of each engine, I should think (looking at this data and guesstimating) they're about equal at MIL, while the F414 would tend to have higher SFC at MAX due to it's larger airflow and higher BPR.

Now there was/is/might-be/what-if program from Aero Engines called the EJ230. Basically a 20%/15% increase in MIL/MAX thrust in "Growth 1" and possibly 30%/30% increase in a "Growth 2" engine. Growth 1 was a new higher flow/pressure fan, and Growth 2 included that fan with a newer higher flow/pressure core and low turbine.

IMO it would be cheaper to integrate/flight-test the EJ230 into the Typhoon, than a whole new motor (for the Typhoon) like the F414. More politically correct for the countries involved too using 'European power'.

Keep 'em flyin' Thumb

TEG

When will the Eurofighter get Intel inside instead of being Amiga level?

hcobb wrote:

When will the Eurofighter get Intel inside instead of being Amiga level?

I take it you are not a fan of the Amiga500? Too many errors perhaps?

hcobb wrote:

When will the Eurofighter get Intel inside instead of being Amiga level?

It has a mechanically-scanned radar. That is closer to ENIAC level in truth Laughing

Seriously though. The Typhoon may be able to out-range the competition with Meteor, but I doubt that its detection capability is sufficient to make this happen. I've yet to see any progress on the AESA radar, which *should* be a massive priority for the program.

Oh no, no, no. "It's all about the waveforms, AESA is only a big deal to American Fanboys. CAPTOR can put out the same waveforms as AESA so AESA doesn't matter." CREF posts on any forum to see the Typhoon fanboys rationalize no AESA.

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Silent Typhoon?