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Serge Pod
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04.08.2000 10:07:06
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Современность; ВВС;
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Royal Navy Weighs Eurofighter Against JSF
Доброго здравия!
Royal Navy Weighs Eurofighter Against JSF
Eurofighter (EF) is evaluated as a possible candidate to meet the Royal Navy requirement for a future carrier-borne aircraft (FCA). A comprehensive study on a "navalized" EF has been done, showing that aerodynamically the EF can operate from a carrier.
"The plane has every chance of winning the competition," Bob Haslam, Eurofighter managing director, said.
The Royal Navy is weighing the proposal of navalized EF against that of the JSF. The JSF option has a price advantage with unit cost between $30-$40 million against the EF's $60 million. Eurofighter managers argue, however, that the JSF is still "a paper aircraft", while their plane has been in flight tests for six years already. They say that the EF carries the long-range Meteor missile, described "the best means of the fleet protection" from aerial attacks. The Meteor is being integrated with the EF's aiming system as a part of Tranche 2 package. Both naval EF and its carrier are yet to be developed as replacements to the Sea Harrier and Invincible-class vessels.
EF also competes with JSF in Norway as a replacement for the F-16A/B. Competition is suspended - Norway is to have debate on the matter in the parliament. Eurofighter managers say that the Norwegian MoD has "a serious intent" to buy the EF, but the US might succeed in talking Norway to delay the acquisition until 2010 when JSF becomes available. A political decision on the matter is expected by the year-end. Another European country, Netherlands, continues evaluating the EF against the JSF and a modified F-16. "The Netherlands are seriously reviewing its position on JSF", the Eurofighter managers said. Eurofighter team continues to negotiate with Greece on details of a contract for 60 (plus 30 options) which is to be signed later this year. Last month the EF was officially offered to Korea which has a requirement for 40 modern fighter aircraft. In Korea the EF competes with the Rafale and Sukhoi Su-35, as well as US fighters. Korea is expected to make a decision before 2002. Another Pacific country, Australia, needs replacement for its F-111 and F-18A aircraft. The EF is offered as a single type able to replace the two.
The available market for the EF-class fighters in the next 10 years is estimated at 800 units worth some $100 billion. Eurofighter hopes to have 50% of it. The largest European military project so far, the Eurofighter relies on four nations (Italy, UK, Spain and Germany), which needs some 620 fighters. Firm commitment has been made on 148 aircraft and 363 EJ200 engines which form the Tranche 2 package. The airplane is the basic air defense and a training variant should deliver in June 2002; the full air defense variant should be available in December 2003 and "swing-role" aircraft (capable of air defense and ground attack missions) in April 2005.
Production aircraft are said to be 10%-15% more agile than the first operable prototype flying at FI2000. After the show the airplane that first flew six years ago will be upgraded to the level of production aircraft.
- by Vovick Karnozov
С уважением, Serge Pod. http://airbase.uka.ru