Is US getting desperate for sales of F-35 thunderpig?

[Pooky 3,828]

What do you think of the Eurofighter Typhoon?

As an air-to-air asset, it will hold its own with anything, including the Raptor, once they fit it with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array). As it is, Captor (the radar) is good, and Pirate (the infrared seeker) is, by all reports, outstanding. Load-out is good, manoeuvrability is second-to-none and all the pilots love it.

As an air-to-ground asset, it has a lot of potential, but it still needs developing and/or outside help. In Libya, the RAF Typhoons had to fly with Tornados, as they had no way to use smart weapons independently, as the "bolt-on" sensor goodies had not been assimilated with the airframe. In time, the Typhoon will get there, just not yet.

Overall, it's good, and I'd rather have one than a Thunderpig, for any mission.

Still the best looking plane though if they can i bet the plane can last another 20 years.

Best looking? The F-16 isn't even close. Give me an F-15 Eagle, any day of the week.

The F-22 was very superior and even had a high kill ratio against any other superior fighter in the world had. It was total air superiority when the F-22 was fielded against any other nations air force in the world. Japan and Australia asked and was even given an initial OK. You are right though and that is when the F-22 was working. They had the oxygen system problem fixed but its hours in maintenance for every hour of flight time was huge. Way more than any aircraft should have. I thought they should take the knowledge they gained for the next generation of aircraft and improve but they lessened it in my opinion. Makes no difference though as the U.S. has placed the bet on the F-35 and stopped funding and making the F-22. Also in my opinion when the radar cross section for the F-35 went from a golf ball to a beach ball should have told them they were going backwards. Also with the single engine makes the F-35 a non sale to many air forces.

The F-22 is an excellent area defence asset, which is what it is designed to do. All of the exercises have put the Raptor in its designed role, which will assist in getting its simulated "kill ratio" up.

However, you're wrong when you say the oxygen system issue has been solved. Currently, the majority of the Raptor fleet is once again grounded, as further investigation of the on-board oxygen is undertaken. You are right, though, about the ratio of maintenance hours to flight time being too high. It needs a lot of TLC.

The main obstacle to the Raptor, though, was the US Congress, who blocked export sales. Japan still wants it, though, and with Robert Gates out of the way, there is a very slim chance they might be successful, although it would take some effort to restart the production line at this point.

Actually, the decision has been partly made (when it got whittled down to two contenders)--and it appears that they will be going with the Typhoon.

Anything to substantiate that? I still think the Rafale is the better fit for the Indians, if the navy is going to be looking for new kit, soon. Here, the Libyan adventure has some bearing, as the Rafale performed really well for the Armée de l'Air.

Actually, Tejas (the reason India DIDN't go for Gripen--too many parts in common with Tejas) looks way better.

Sorry, the Tejas looks rather plain, IMO. Unfortunately for the Indian AF, it also possesses rather average performance, too. Unfortunate, because the Indian government is making sure it's bought in numbers. If HAL can build on the experience and improve their next effort, it will be worth the money spent. But that could be decades away, given the current gestational period of modern combat aircraft.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Best looking? The F-16 isn't even close. Give me an F-15 Eagle, any day of the week.

EVEN ON A WEDNESDAY YOU WOULD TAKE ONE? HOW ABOUT ON TACO TUESDAY?

[Pooky 3,828]

EVEN ON A WEDNESDAY YOU WOULD TAKE ONE? HOW ABOUT ON TACO TUESDAY?

I don't do Taco H3ll

[Ban Hammer 13,502]

Best looking? The F-16 isn't even close. Give me an F-15 Eagle, any day of the week.

f-14 is still my favorite.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

f-14 is still my favorite.

THAT (Tomcat) is the best ever made!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Anything to substantiate that?

Typhoon has some Italian components, and the final decision will need to get "queen" Sonia's approval (would be different were it not Congress government officially headed by someone who is her rubber-stamper).

Also, http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-eyes-flawless-typhoon-for-7-bn-pounds-report/867815/0

[MyLittlePony 340]

F-14 not being used anymore it stitting in a bone yard collecting dust.

[MyLittlePony 340]

I watched a F-15 demo many times and still blows anything away even the russian planes.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

F-14 not being used anymore it stitting in a bone yard collecting dust.

True, it was phased out of production--but that doesn't change the fact that it still has not been exceeded quality-wise!

[MyLittlePony 340]

True, it was phased out of production--but that doesn't change the fact that it still has not been exceeded quality-wise!

Too expensive for repair cost had lot of moving parts to replace.

[Pooky 3,828]

True, it was phased out of production--but that doesn't change the fact that it still has not been exceeded quality-wise!

Now, you're just having a laugh. The F-14A was a maintenance diva, too. It was underpowered, suffered from handling issues at the stall and with an engine out and, worst of all, it made Tom Cruise famous!

[Ban Hammer 13,502]

Now, you're just having a laugh. The F-14A was a maintenance diva, too. It was underpowered, suffered from handling issues at the stall and with an engine out and, worst of all, it made Tom Cruise famous!

but it shot off a carrier and landed on it. can your f-15 or 22 do that?

[Pooky 3,828]

but it shot off a carrier and landed on it. can your f-15 or 22 do that?

Only if it got that far, and rarely with everything still working