Eurofighter Typhoon Discussion Thread

[swerve]

I'm stunned time after time how words can be twisted. To make up a headline like 'Germany is planning to reduce its original order for Eurofighters by 37 aircraft, resulting in a savings of billions of Euros' out of the simle fact that the budget commitee recommends to proceed with the (UK requested) agreement about the tranche split is an insolence.
The term 'explicitly indicated' in this context is a contradiction in terms and makes my toenails curl. Honestly.

So much for defpro quality.

Better called defam?

For another view of the same news, from a non-specialist paper not noted for the quality of its defence reporting -
Business Feed Article | Business | guardian.co.uk
Leads with the German defence ministry saying it intends to go ahead with the full order of 180, saying it needs them all, & qualifies the headline by indicating the source. Rather more professional, that last touch.

 

[Falstaff]

Better called defam?

For another view of the same news, from a non-specialist paper not noted for the quality of its defence reporting -
Business Feed Article | Business | guardian.co.uk
Leads with the German defence ministry saying it intends to go ahead with the full order of 180, saying it needs them all, & qualifies the headline by indicating the source. Rather more professional, that last touch.

In the meantime, the article was mildly edited and supplemented with the same information

 

[METEORSWARM]

Article about the PIRATE

I will talk in detail, by way of example and by the interest shown in our air force, the Eurofighter PIRATE. And that is complementary to what is already written.

The pirate has a weight of 60 kg and occupies a total volume of 45 liters, with power consumption of 550 W.

Bring tested since 2001 in the plane DA7 development and in the nose of an aircraft registered English Falcon 20D-G FRBA. And of ground facilities (shelters mounted on).
Also present from the aircraft series that already included.

It is based on an image sensor infrared (IIR) second-generation highly sensitive, sweeping in the range of 3 to 11 m in two sub-band (3-5 and 8-11 m m) and uses an advanced algorithm with over 190,000 lines of code that enables the ADA PIRATE detect difference in temperature (and therefore white) to a maximum distance of 150 km (assuming that you teach the jets) and normal 50 to 90 km. In the tests showed the PIRATE detect MIGS-29 Tornados and Germans more than 100 km away (of course, airplanes are not designed to be stealthy and very conspicuous IR, but we think that most fighters of the world emit a signal IR like that).

The output data (ie, images) may be filed at any of the MFD (multifunction display) in the cabin or on the HUD. Other images can be presented in the HMD (helmet visor).
Data processing techniques improve image resolution.

The manufacturer claims that the PIRATE system is capable of displaying high-resolution images for visual identification (VID) of white air-air and air-surface. So not only is integrated combat system of the aircraft, but also in system identification friend or foe.

It has a speed of image processing of 24 million pixels per second.

It can locate targets by flying low to display target information.

More than 200 targets can be tracked simultaneously (up to 500 according to the website Tecnobit) in several ways:

- Multiple Target Track (MTT) or tracking multiple targets high-speed (over 200 at once). The sensor scans a fixed volume of space by identifying targets with precision of 0.25 μrad [0.0143 º] FOV in a field (cone search) variable.

- Single Target Track (STT) or identification and tracking of single target. Precision tracking and location of the target is greater than the radar CAPTOR.

- Single Target Track Ident (STTI). To make visual identifications with a higher resolution.

- Sector Purchasing or coupled mode of acquisition. The snesor sweeps in the direction of another sensor, such as radar sensors, the HMD or RWR.

- Acquisition slave. The sensor is directed via the Data Link (Link 16 MIDS) by an external platform, as an AWACS aircraft. When a target is found, the sensor goes to STT mode automatically. It is a way in which an external platform refers to a white game.

Data from the pirate can be used to block the target and aim the weapon, allowing the attack fully passive.
Combining the use of the pirate with the MIDS and the RWR, the Eurofighter is very well trained to perform missions in passive mode, undetectable.

PIRATE The system has a dual field of view for wide-area search and high-resolution image of long range, to be optimized for use with air-air applications for air-ground operations may be used as a white flag to detect heat in soil.

The image can be obtained thanks to the position on the left side of the nose, with an angle of 60 degrees down (impossible for the Rafale's OSF) which is just above the nose). What enables and is ideal for air-ground missions.

What happens is little chance that the search side (at 180 degrees for example) limits the effective air-land and not allowing as it does a nacelle external nominating, maintaining the target set if the target is over or going very sideways.
The field of vision is a little narrower than that of a gondola, and it is more difficult to assess battle damage (by the heat emanating from the explosions and not optimized for it).
But the point is that it can be used in ways to search and identification of ground targets (not marked with laser), which is not bad.

In air-to-surface mode PIRATE also works as an aid to navigation, tracking the ground at low altitude at night and in bad weather.

Among the possible developments of future capacity are studied and improved sensor capabilities in air-ground missions, the use of multispectral sensors (not just IR) and integration with a database image to improve navigation, situational awareness, and warning of missile in the front (by supporting the work to RWR and MAW (missile warners aproach)).



Captor

Identification friend or foe (IFF) capability–developed by Raytheon’s UK division with EADS Germany, Italy’s MID and Spain’s Enosa–comprises an interrogator and Mode S transponder. Designed for NATO interoperability, it is compatible with the IFF Mk XII standard and is upgradeable to future standards. Captor also employs pattern recognition techniques–jet-exhaust spectra, radar cross-section signatures, etc.– to identify aircraft not responding with IFF. The radar is unusual in having three (rather than two) parallel operating signal and data processing channels, etc, etc,etc

Greetings

 

[luca28]

German budget committee approves over €6 billion founding for several weapon systems

Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

08:38 GMT, June 18, 2009 defpro.com | Germany's parliamentary budget committee has approved the purchase of different weapon systems including 31 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3a aircraft as well as 405 Puma infantry fighting vehicles.

The first part of a third tranche of the Eurofighter combat aircraft, worth some €2.9 billion ($4.03 billion) will put Germany on track towards completing its purchase of 180 jets in total. This plan was reconsidered over the past few weeks due to budget constraints and rising costs. However, yesterday’s approval is a sign that Germany may go ahead with the full purchase. A decision on the final 38 aircraft of Tranche 3b is now expected to take place in May 2010.

Beyond that, the parliamentary budget committee also approved the purchase of 405 Puma IFVs built jointly by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall. The Schützenpanzer (SPz) Puma will replace the ageing Marder of the Bundeswehr and is expected to be introduced from 2010 to 2020. The Puma is expected to be better suitable for combat scenarios such as being encountered in Afghanistan, since the vehicle offer greater protection against IEDs and mines. The committee approved €3.1 billion for the 405 vehicles.

The Committee also passed a first procurement option for 311 Eurospike LR anti-tank missiles, in Germany also known as MELLS (mehrrollenfähiges leichtes Lenkflugkörpersystem) worth €35 million, plus an option for a further 1160 missiles. The missile is built by EuroSpike GmbH which is a joint venture including Diehl BGT Defence (DBD) of Überlingen, Germany, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) of Bremen, Germany, and Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. (Rafael) of Haifa, Israel and will replace the Milan LFK.

With its sophisticated dual-mode seeker head (CCD and IIR), the SPIKE LR can be operated in Fire & Forget or Fire Observe & Update mode by a bi-directional fibre optic communication link. The system is intended to be operated in an infantry mode or mounted on vehicles such as the SPz PUMA.

The committee also approved the buy of eight Wiesel 2 Mortar vehicles plus two command and fire control vehicles worth €64 million. Built by Rheinmetall Landsysteme (RLS) GmbH, the light armoured mortar vehicle is armed with a 120 mm mortar and can be lifted by a CH53 helicopter. The system is based on its tried-and-tested Wiesel 2 system. Designed and engineered by RLS, this state-of-the-art armoured vehicle serves as the weapon carrier in a new, advanced reconnaissance and combat network for infantry units consisting of six different airportable Wiesel 2 configurations. The Wiesel 2 Mortar is planned to be introduced in 2010 where it will replace the 120 mm-Mortar TAMPELLA, already in service since 40 years. According to a committee spokesman additional mortar systems will be acquired in the future.

The Committee also agreed to fit five minehunters with the Seafox expendable mine-disposal vehicle systems for €37.9 million. The Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) built by Atlas Elektronik will replace the Penguin system.

Germany also signed an agreement with Denmark which deals with sharing strategic sealift capabilities. This agreement may open the door for the purchase of two vessels by Denmark from, a German shipyard worth €120 million, a Committee spokesman said.

----

Source: Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[AtaSaudi]

KSA to buy more Typhoon and F15s:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/allBreakingNews/idUKLI768920090618

 

[METEORSWARM]

captor aesa

http://www.selex-sas.com/EN/Common/files/SELEX_Galileo/Products/CAPTOR.pdf

 

[kev 99]

Eurofighter nations have been given approval to offer early production examples of the strike aircraft to potential export users through government-to-government agreements, with nations such as Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania among potential takers.

Speaking inside the Eurofighter consortium's multinational-themed Typhoon exhibit at the show, chief executive Enzo Casolini confirmed that Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK could seek to balance their future Tranche 3 production orders for the type with third-party arrangements.

"We can all be better if the partner nations can be flexible," says Casolini. "Sometimes it is better if you do it in a government-to-government environment. There could be a partner nation that decides: I have a first batch of aircraft; I could pass these to Bulgaria, even as an interim solution, and maybe share the possibility to share support together.

"The goal is there, and with government support we can provide to these countries a common asset together with a main European nation." He reveals such a deal could potentially be reached between Italy and Romania.

Casolini says the four partner nations should sign a Tranche 3A contract before the European summer break, but reveals that "not all the nations are in agreement" on the introduction of an active electronically scanned array radar. "We will try to show them the benefits.

PARIS AIR SHOW: Eurofighter boss: nations free to market early fighters for export

I suspect the early tranche 1 example in RAF service to be flogged off and them to actually received a much reduced number from the 232 they'd planned for.

 

[METEORSWARM]

IPA 7 recently completed a Paveway IV bomb handling, qualities familiarising flight at EADS site in Manching. The flight which took two hours and seven minutes saw the aircraft flying with six Paveway IV bombs, four MRAMMs and two SRAAMs missiles on board.
...
Being fully utilised to support IPA 6 in avionics testing, IPA 7 has also completed five Missile Approach Warning (MAW) flights, carried out with the support of a Luftwaffe F-4 Phantom and a Tornado. Come August, a UK based RAF Harrier will also contribute to the MAW trials.

IPA6 has recently undergone a series of DASS test flights as well as Helmet Equipment Assembly (HEA) and Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) flights. IPA 6 is the test bed for the Service Release Package 5.1 which is due to be introduced to in-service aircraft in the near future.

Further recently successful testing saw IPA 1, the UK owned Typhoon aircraft, commence a sequence of fifteen Paveway IV jettison drops. To date 3 successful drops have been performed.

IPA 7 Paveway IV Trials

The Official Journal of the Army Air SPAIN.
Efa Cost to Spain in euros:

- Development: 1.975 million paid between 1988 and 1995.
- Production, improvements and ILS, integrated logistic systems:
5.592 million paid between 1997 and 2007
1813 million between 2007 and 2010.
1991 million to pay between 2010 and 2013
2000 million to pay from 2013.

Total: 13.371 million euros.

Before you make the account of the old grandfather and say that each plane comes to 150 million, there is included absolutely everything from airplanes to spare parts, training, financing, installation of facilities, renovation of manufacturing companies, hiring companies to third and fourth step, the total cost of the program from beginning to end.

Taking into account that 35% of that money is collected by the state via taxes, that is, not what pays the total cost is 8691 million.

8691: 100 aircrafts= 86,91 millions euros cost unit full
8691: 90 aircrafts = 96,56 millions euros cost unit full

In Our air force is said that the aircraft is somewhat less than half of our maintenance hornet f-18.



Greetings

 

[METEORSWARM]

Spain is the minority partner program Efa, so it's normal cost is higher than the other partners.

9hours / man efa vs 27.5 hours/ man-f-18A maintenance.


http://www.mde.es/dgam/archivos_pdf/plapro/aereos/EUROFIGHTER.pdf

 

[TMor]

The Official Journal of the Army Air SPAIN.
Efa Cost to Spain in euros:

- Development: 1.975 million paid between 1988 and 1995.
- Production, improvements and ILS, integrated logistic systems:
5.592 million paid between 1997 and 2007
1813 million between 2007 and 2010.
1991 million to pay between 2010 and 2013
2000 million to pay from 2013.

Total: 13.371 million euros.

Before you make the account of the old grandfather and say that each plane comes to 150 million, there is included absolutely everything from airplanes to spare parts, training, financing, installation of facilities, renovation of manufacturing companies, hiring companies to third and fourth step, the total cost of the program from beginning to end.

Taking into account that 35% of that money is collected by the state via taxes, that is, not what pays the total cost is 8691 million.

8691: 100 aircrafts= 86,91 millions euros cost unit full
8691: 90 aircrafts = 96,56 millions euros cost unit full

In Our air force is said that the aircraft is somewhat less than half of our maintenance hornet f-18.



Greetings

Excellent. Thanks a lot, METEORSWARM. This kind of data is quite hard to find. Do you know when those estimates were done ?

 

[METEORSWARM]

Official magazine of the Air Force to send houses to the pilots.

Spain is the minority partner in the project Efa,is very less expensive than Germany and UK by aircraft,more aircraft,more % cake.

 

[METEORSWARM]

typhoon.starstreak.net

Coments in forums
“Eurofighter Slays’Em!

I remember reading around two years ago about the prowess of Eurofighter over other aircraft. Well, this anecdote will probably ‘get out’ one day and concerns the visit to these shores in July of Indian Air Force Su-30s. The MoD said that it would not be putting Typhoons up against them as a one-on-one fight. This is general knowledge. However - it did happen and there is Head Up Display video to prove it. I don’t know how it came about - probably during some exercise.

Anyway, two relatively inexperienced Typhoon pilots returned with big grins on their faces. The Sukhois were ‘toasted’. All the Su-30’s air display antics came to nought - the Typhoons proved too nimble and too powerful for the Russian aircraft. The Typhoons were not ‘clean’ either. You can check with the MoD, but you probably already know the kind of answer you’ll get! (We did, and they wouldn’t - Editor).

The original article resulted in several letters of response about Typhoon versus the F-22. This cannot be confirmed or admitted officially, but during Typhoon’s visit to the USA in 2005, both aircraft were pitted against each other (unofficially, you understand). The F-22 could not be seen by the Typhoon pilot, but his electronic counter measures showed him that it was being ‘painted’ by his opponent. The Typhoon took appropriate ‘measures’ using self-defensive aids. But when it came to one-on-one combat, the Typhoon did the same kind of job as it did with the Sukhois. The F-22s could not ‘handle’ Typhoon close in and the Yanks were shocked!

It did not all go Typhoon’s way on this occasion but it was a sobering encounter for the Americans. Remember, on the F-22 much was sacrificed in terms of ‘fighter performance’ for stealth.

The first part of this letter, regarding the Sukhois, I have from first-hand experience, through the second part - about the F-22s - has come to me through the Typhoon grapevine. Fascinating, isn’t it? The Typhoon does appear to be a truly formidable machine - a machine feared by ‘other’ operators.
Name withheld via e-mail”

Feedback, Air Forces Monthly January 2008


Cita:
Through still a relatively immature platform, Typhoon has already proved to be a hard opponent to beat, so that when a two-seat trainer was bounced by two F-15s during an operational conversion sortie, the Typhoon pilot was easily able to outmanoeuvre his assailants and position himself for a simulated ‘kill’ against both. More recently, there have been repeated reports that two RAF Typhoons deployed to the US for OEU trials work have been flying against the F-22 at NAS China Lake, and have performed better than was expected. There was little surprise that Typhoon, with its world-class agility and high off-boresight missile capability was able to dominate the ‘Within Visual Range’ fight, but the aircraft did cause a surprise by getting a radar lock on the F-22 at a surprisingly long range. The F-22s reportedly cried off, claiming that they were ‘unstealthed’ anyway, although the next day’s scheduled two versus two BVR engagement was cancelled, and “the USAF decided that they didn’t want to play anymore”. When this incident was reported on a website frequented by front-line RAF aircrew a senior RAF officer urged an end to the conversation on security grounds.


“Focus Aircraft – Eurofighter Typhoon” by Jon Lake, pags 44-75, International Air Power Review Volume 20, AIRtime Publishing 2006


My conclusion, the typhoon has a current countermeasures system capable of detecting radar / radio and electromagnetic emissions of enemy fighters, able to orient and focus the objective power
with other sensors and an image of enemy.Although a stealth radar (SUPER LPI) of the f-22 the typhoon is able to detect it at great distance.

Typhoon that is superior to f-22 and wvr in this slightly smaller bvr than the capabilities of the F-22 combat evolving.
Besides the defense system of the typhoon quite working properly but no perfect.

The difference in favor of f-22 is not as significant as expected.

 

[luca28]

Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A Contract Worth €9 Billion Signed

Last Eurofighter Deal?

12:18 GMT, July 31, 2009 defpro.com | The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), representing the programme nations Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, today signed a long awaited contract with EUROJET Turbo GmbH and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH on behalf of the partner companies Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland for the first part of third tranche of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme consisting of 112 aircraft and 241 engines worth €9.1 billion (US$12.86 billion) including €1.4 billion for the engines.

As originally intended, the third tranche included 236 aircraft. However, earlier this year the nations agreed to split this tranche into two batches due to severe pressures on defence budgets. Before signing the 3A deal in Manching near Munich, Germany today, the nations, nevertheless, achieved that industry concedes to cut the costs for the entire maintenance of the fighter aircraft over their 30 year life span by 50 per cent.

With this contract which includes 40 aircraft for the UK, 30 for Germany and 21 each for Italy and Spain, Eurofighter has secured 559 units for production, including 15 for Austria and 72 for Saudi Arabia.

The new CEO of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH,Enzo Casolini, commented: “This is a major achievement in the Eurofighter programme and serves to reaffirm the importance and the independence of the defence sector of the European industry.”

A total of 178 Eurofighters had been delivered by June 30, including 24 tranche two units.

The Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 559 aircraft under production contract, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme.


No Tranche 3B?

However, Tranche 3A – which is less than half of the 236 aircraft originally anticipated – may be the last Eurofighter deal of the programme nations for the time being. UK defence procurement minister Quentin Davies today said that Britain has no current plans to buy any more Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets after this deal. "This is really tranche three. I don't exclude the possibility that we will buy more aircraft in the future, but there is no present intent, nor any expectation from our partners nor any obligation," he said.

Besides the United Kingdom, the other partner nations have as well declared the wish to scale back their purchases. In June the head of the German parliamentary defence committee said the country could not afford its full complement of 180 Eurofighters, although the defence ministry declared to remain committed to the quota.

Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[luca28]

Tranche 3 will come with none improvements and advanced features.

Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

The Half-Full, Half-Empty Eurofighter Glass, Too

05:47 GMT, August 3, 2009 defpro.com | Within the space of a week or so, European Governments have managed to clear their act and put the two main ongoing cooperation programmes for military aircraft back on track. First came the decision to try and save the A400M strategic/tactical transport aircraft through a renegotiated contract (and hopefully programme management structure) (see: defence.professionals | defpro.com).

And now, after much hesitation, bickering and not-so-well concealed attempts at cutting and running if only one could blame the others for this, the Tranche 3 contract (officially half-tranche, 3A) has finally been signed (see: defence.professionals | defpro.com).

This is most certainly excellent news for the Air Forces as well as for industry. But not unlike the case with the A400M, certain aspects of the deal do give ground for serious concern.

It is pretty obvious that unless WW3 descends upon us, this will in all likelihood be the last order by the four member countries, and there will be no Tranche 3B contract. This, however, is only too logical, given the radical evolution of the strategic scenarios, and the drastic reductions in defence spending since the Eurofighter programme was originally launched. If the United States thinks it can do with 183 F-22s, it is quite difficult to maintain that, say, Germany needs the same number of Eurofighters. If production is to continue beyond the 3A order, it would have to depend completely on export.

The really disturbing point, however, is that despite rather oblique attempts (not by industry) to conceal by truth by mentioning phantasmagoric multi-role capabilities, it is painfully evident that the €9 billion contract covers but aircraft to the Tranche 2 standard – i.e., absolutely identical to those currently being delivered.

None of the improvements and advanced features that were expected to be introduced with the Tranche 3 standard, and which the Eurofighter desperately needs in order to both adapt itself to the evolving operational scenarios and remain competitive on the export market, will actually be implemented.

There will be no AESA radar, no conformal fuel tanks, no TVC nozzles, no integration of weapons such as Meteor, Storm Shadow or Taurus – NOTHING. The aircraft will be fitted with electrical systems and interfaces to allow for the possible future integration of new weapons and electronic systems through retrofit programmes, but this is projected into a vague future.

One may speculate as to whether this is the tragic result of the Air Forces being absolutely unable to find the money for the aircraft they want, or rather having lost faith in the industry’s development and management skill, or possibly a combination of both factors.

Be this as it may, the unpalatable conclusion is that development of the Eurofighter is effectively terminated at Tranche 2 standard level. The aircraft’s development potential toward a true multi-role configuration is being thrown away.

Source: Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[swerve]

I give no credence to Defpro. It presents its own speculation as fact, demands by opposition politicians as government policy, etc., etc.

 

[Scorpion82]

Let alone that you seriously wonder how he/they come to this conclusion regarding the german Eurofighter commitment:

If the United States thinks it can do with 183 F-22s, it is quite difficult to maintain that, say, Germany needs the same number of Eurofighters.

That the F-22 is a kind of golden plated special weapon system for the USAF and the Eurofighter the backbone of the Luftwaffe in terms of offensive strike and air defence, seems to be completely unknown to the author. We know the USAF will just operate F-22s in the future and there are no other aerial assets, such as the F-35 for example

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

The Half-Full, Half-Empty Eurofighter Glass, Too

05:47 GMT, August 3, 2009 defpro.com | Within the space of a week or so, European Governments have managed to clear their act and put the two main ongoing cooperation programmes for military aircraft back on track. First came the decision to try and save the A400M strategic/tactical transport aircraft through a renegotiated contract (and hopefully programme management structure) (see: defence.professionals | defpro.com).

And now, after much hesitation, bickering and not-so-well concealed attempts at cutting and running if only one could blame the others for this, the Tranche 3 contract (officially half-tranche, 3A) has finally been signed (see: defence.professionals | defpro.com).

This is most certainly excellent news for the Air Forces as well as for industry. But not unlike the case with the A400M, certain aspects of the deal do give ground for serious concern.

It is pretty obvious that unless WW3 descends upon us, this will in all likelihood be the last order by the four member countries, and there will be no Tranche 3B contract. This, however, is only too logical, given the radical evolution of the strategic scenarios, and the drastic reductions in defence spending since the Eurofighter programme was originally launched. If the United States thinks it can do with 183 F-22s, it is quite difficult to maintain that, say, Germany needs the same number of Eurofighters. If production is to continue beyond the 3A order, it would have to depend completely on export.

The really disturbing point, however, is that despite rather oblique attempts (not by industry) to conceal by truth by mentioning phantasmagoric multi-role capabilities, it is painfully evident that the €9 billion contract covers but aircraft to the Tranche 2 standard – i.e., absolutely identical to those currently being delivered.

None of the improvements and advanced features that were expected to be introduced with the Tranche 3 standard, and which the Eurofighter desperately needs in order to both adapt itself to the evolving operational scenarios and remain competitive on the export market, will actually be implemented.

There will be no AESA radar, no conformal fuel tanks, no TVC nozzles, no integration of weapons such as Meteor, Storm Shadow or Taurus – NOTHING. The aircraft will be fitted with electrical systems and interfaces to allow for the possible future integration of new weapons and electronic systems through retrofit programmes, but this is projected into a vague future.

One may speculate as to whether this is the tragic result of the Air Forces being absolutely unable to find the money for the aircraft they want, or rather having lost faith in the industry’s development and management skill, or possibly a combination of both factors.

Be this as it may, the unpalatable conclusion is that development of the Eurofighter is effectively terminated at Tranche 2 standard level. The aircraft’s development potential toward a true multi-role configuration is being thrown away.

Source: Source: defence.professionals | defpro.com

Very sorry to hear that, at least "Tranche 3" will go ahead in one form or another. What about CAESAR development? On the back-burner too? You can forget about future exports without AESA.

 

[Scorpion82]

Very sorry to hear that, at least "Tranche 3" will go ahead in one form or another. What about CAESAR development? On the back-burner too? You can forget about future exports without AESA.

CAESAR was just a demonstrator, the final product will be Captor-E. Things are still being discussed in which form the radar will appear. Here is a brochure from Selex about the potential Captor-E. In fact it looks more like an productionised CAESAR, with a lot of options being considered for the future.
http://www.selex-sas.com/EN/Common/files/SELEX_Galileo/Products/CAPTOR.pdf

 

[swerve]

Very sorry to hear that, at least "Tranche 3" will go ahead in one form or another. What about CAESAR development? On the back-burner too? You can forget about future exports without AESA.

As has been pointed out on other fora, Defpro does not appear to know the difference between a production contract (what has been signed for T3A) and development, T3A is now committed to be built - that's what this contract covers, along with bringing older aircraft up to date. New developments are contracted for separately, & their absence from this contract means nothing. It's how Eurofighter works.

T3A will be fitted for CFTs - which may, or may not, be bought separately. It will be capable of accepting an AESA radar - which may, or may not, be bought. Both the RAF & Luftwaffe say they want both. Enzo Casolini said to journalists on Friday (4 days ago) that he didn't think Typhoon with CAPTOR-E could be delivered before 2013. When will T3A be delivered? Starting in 2013. Significant? Possibly.

Note that the swivelling swash plate version of CAPTOR-E shown with the label "growth potential" in the brochure Scorpion82 links to should need very little development. Selex is already building a smaller version for the Vixen 1000ES/ES05 Raven radar for Gripen NG.

 

[Falstaff]

I give no credence to Defpro. It presents its own speculation as fact, demands by opposition politicians as government policy, etc., etc.

Absolutely true. One turkey shot after another. Even if I was a defence professional (I may become one one day) I wouldn't join. It's just too embarrassing.