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Eurofarce, the status so far, 14 years late, millions over budget and still not in service.

so a hypothetical question arrises, you are the UK defence minister and u have decided to cancel the Eurofighter project, leaving that to the italians and the germans, What would you have instead, and WHY??

<img src="http://www.boomspeed.com/megazone23/su27.jpg" border=0>

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US

Perosnally, I think Eurochicken development has gone too far to cancel, but here it goes anyway.

1. The F/A-18H Wasp that I proposed a while back. With BAE mostly likely being aquired by Boeing, a UK assembly line would be possible. The Wasp could replace both the Tornado for the RAF and the Sea Harrier for the Royal Navy, The F/A-18E could replace Jaguars and Harriers cutting the Joint Strike Fighter out of the picture. A number of EA-18Gs could also be purchased for ECM jamming and SEAD. A high commonality for all strikefighters in UK service could help the logistics budget. Most of the avionics package and the engines should be transferrable to the new jets from the Typhoon. The F-18 series has always been very reliable and cheap (as far as fighters go) to maintain. The downside: the aircraft only exists in my head.

2. Rafale. See above, a lot of that will fit. The downside, you don't think Chirac is going to allow them to be built in England do you?

3. F-15K. Capable fighter bomber. The above two will destroy it in ACM, but the Korean variant Eagle the eagle has them at long ranges.

4. F/A-22. Most capable, expensive fighter ever devised by a long shot. The downside: HM treasury will be able afford to more than 60 at the Raptor's price. Little in the way of ground attack ability.

5. SU30MKI: Most Advanced Flanker in production. Would take a lot of work to enter UK service.

Sorry gotta disagree...............one word..................Grippen

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

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Fully modernized English Electric Lightnings.

<img src="http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/sigs/snipersig.jpg " border=0>

this is too easy, the F-35B or C for RN/RAF, nearly a done deal already for the RN.

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us". George Orwell

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
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Fully modernized English Electric Lightnings.

<img src="http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/sigs/snipersig.jpg " border=0>
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Since they would be wise to go for an aicraft they could use on their upcoming aircraft carriers, F/A-18F's would perhaps be the most plausible choice. It's got great high-tech and versatility as any newer F-18F will now be made with the extra 50 pounds of wires nescessary to be converted over to an EA-18G.

Certainly if the British expressed any interest that new GE F414 engine would get the go ahead and just as in the success the Brits enjoyed with the F-4 Phantom, I think a fleet of F/A-18F to compliment thier upcoming F-35B's would be spot on.

<img src="http://people.tamu.edu/~rdr0821/BigVette%20FA18F.jpg" border=0>
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I think any British made Hornets would come with Roll Royce Eurojets.

Edited by - BenRoethig on Jan 22 2004 10:06 AM

Snipe I hope you arent being smart.........the Lightnings rock !

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

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YGBSM !

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>4. F/A-22. Most capable, expensive fighter ever devised by a long shot. The downside: HM treasury will be able afford to more than 60 at the Raptor's price. Little in the way of ground attack ability.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

It is 120 million dollars per unit and the price would drop by quite a bit if we ordered more. In fact if we doubled the order it would nearly cut the price of of each aircraft in half, making it cheaper then the Eurofighter.

If they don't want to be Stealthy they can deliver a payload just as large as the F-15. Carrying SDB's it would be an awsome weapon for SEAD mission.

Australia is broke.

<img src="http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/sigs/snipersig.jpg " border=0>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>2. Rafale. See above, a lot of that will fit. The downside, you don't think Chirac is going to allow them to be built in England do you?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

As you should know, France was originally part of the Eurofighter countries but then it left the project to work on it's own plane, the Rafale. <img src=newicons/idea.gif border=0 align=middle>

Davew27 <img src=newicons/icon_hog.gif border=0 align=middle>

Youre point is Dave ?

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

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YGBSM !