Military Aviation News and Discussion

hauritz

Well-Known Member
Japan, the U.K., France and Germany are all looking into developing 5th GEN fighters. Given the high cost of development, joint efforts make sense. However, as the attached link shows, the French-German effort is already facing difficulties.

Europe’s next-gen fighter jet is stuck in the bickering phase
One problem is that the Germans need a Tornado replacement and the aircraft they choose could have a big bearing on whether or not they become involved in designing their own fifth-generation fighter.

German defense ministry gets bids for Tornado fighter jet replacement | Reuters

There seems to be a belief that if the Tornado is replaced by the F-35 then the Germans will not go forward with developing a new fifth-generation fighter with France. A lot seems to hinge on how long it would take for the Typhoon to be certified to carry nuclear bombs.
 

SpazSinbad

Active Member
USN NavAv seems to get no luv here so here is some (at 1:10 F-35C sunset burner flyby)

Hornet Carrier Ops 2018 West Coast Strike Fighter Ball JOPA

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
I always wondered why Airbus don't try to offer MRTT based on A340.
There are many surpluses A340 in market, that they can be offered a new life as MRTT.

I know four engine is less economics than twin ones..which basically why A340 being abandoned by airlines..but Military used won't be that affected by the airlines tight operational cost margin.

Using those A340 as based also can be cheaper to acquire. A340 known also to be found as civilian cargo..why not offered them as MRTT..
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
The operational costs are likely considerably more and there is the conversion costs as well. Unless the the airframes are low hours and cycles, probably better to buy new or convert used A330s which should be easier.
 

Millennium7

Member
Japan, the U.K., France and Germany are all looking into developing 5th GEN fighters. Given the high cost of development, joint efforts make sense. However, as the attached link shows, the French-German effort is already facing difficulties.

Europe’s next-gen fighter jet is stuck in the bickering phase
I am not surprised.
There are radical strategic differences between the two countries. The only reason why they are trying to come up with a common solution are tied to petty politics and not to the long term vision.
The most likely outcome is a broken program, where both partners will their way at some point.
 

Millennium7

Member
I always wondered why Airbus don't try to offer MRTT based on A340.
There are many surpluses A340 in market, that they can be offered a new life as MRTT.

I know four engine is less economics than twin ones..which basically why A340 being abandoned by airlines..but Military used won't be that affected by the airlines tight operational cost margin.

Using those A340 as based also can be cheaper to acquire. A340 known also to be found as civilian cargo..why not offered them as MRTT..
The A340 is not cheap but it is definitely a good and durable design. It would be am ideal platform for conversion!
 

south

Well-Known Member
The A340 is not cheap but it is definitely a good and durable design. It would be am ideal platform for conversion!
It’s my understanding that the plumbing for the wingtip hoses uses the fuel lines that go to the outer engines on the A340.

As such for a probe and stogies you may run into issues with plumbing and/ or with distances from the hose/refueller to the jet wash of the outer engine or wingtip vortice.
 

Millennium7

Member
This article summarizes the current status of stealth development and why it, in conjunction with other technologies, will continue to be very difficult to defeat.

World's Best Air Defenses Still Can't Hit Stealth? - Warrior Maven
There is an element that it is often overlooked: tactics.
Stealth is a smaller cloak then commonly believed. Force a fighter to fire a missile, and stealth is gone. Force it to use full ABs, and it becomes detectable to IRSTs. All the factors required to gain full advantage from Stealth may not be there, particularly in a long war. While the whole kill chain to destroy a stealth plane is difficult to achieve, it is also difficult to have the kill chain that let a stealth plane act effectively.

BTW Some times a go I made a video about the kill chain concept

Mod Edit: Embedded link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.

-Preceptor
 
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swerve

Super Moderator
Not really news, & I apologise if it's inappropriate, but I'm wondering why a Qatar Emirati Air Force C-17 would be at Zurich airport last Sunday (December 30th) afternoon. Can anyone shed any light?
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
This article summarizes what is expected for the ITEP program. A decision is expected shortly. If the winning vendor can actually deliver on this requirement then helicopter aviation will see a huge advancement and current equipment will remain viable for a significant period into the future. This will be appreciated in the economic restraints that are likely coming in the next 4-8 years.

Army's Decision On Huge Helicopter Engine Program Will Impact GE, Honeywell, United Technologies
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #198
Not really news, & I apologise if it's inappropriate, but I'm wondering why a Qatar Emirati Air Force C-17 would be at Zurich airport last Sunday (December 30th) afternoon. Can anyone shed any light?
Not joking, but ruling family shopping trip a possibility?
 
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