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Eurofighter, Gripen, & Rafaele. Which one has the best overall capabilities/reputation?
Personally, I like the way the Gripen looks best, not that that means anything. I guess I'm asking, if you are in the market for a tactical jet, out of these three, which one would you buy?
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Neither. Why pay $ for an unproven jet when you can buy a Block 60 Viper or a Strike Eagle (depending on how much cash you have and what your mission requirements are).
If your decision is apolitical (rarely are defense purchases apolitical...most politicians care where the jobs/cash is going), go for the proven and capable fighters.
I think Saudi is the only non-builder of the Eurofighter who has purchased the jet, and that's probable to diversify their portfolio (read hedge against some political pressures).
I think the Grippen has a few small contracts. The Raffale has yet to be sold outside of La France.
This isn't really an answer to your question, but had an interesting chat with some German Tornado pilots. With the US dollar so weak, an F-22 would cost them about as much as a EuroFighter! Of course, we're not selling (and shouldn't IMHO).
The common dig at the EuroFighter I hear is: "It's the best F-16 money can buy"
Well from my perspective at Farnborough 2004 - just watching their demos, the Saab put on a much better demo than the EF and Super Hornet and Viper IMO.
But the Lockheed guys were making fun of the Eurofighter...saying it was a great 1980s aircraft.... :-)
Well from my perspective at Farnborough 2004 - just watching their demos, the Saab put on a much better demo than the EF and Super Hornet and Viper IMO.
But the Lockheed guys were making fun of the Eurofighter...saying it was a great 1980s aircraft.... :-)
One of these days I'm gonna make Farnborough! I don't doubt your observations and probably would have agreed with you had I seen it also. It's tough to size up the superior fighter from an airshow. For the record, I've always thought the Blue Angels had a better show than the Thunderbirds (sorry to my T-Bird bros, I still love ya, it must be something about that configured aileron roll the Blue Angels do after t/o), but from my knowledge of both aircraft, I'd rather ride the Viper into combat. Now if I had to land on a boat afterwards, my answer would change.
You know the Swedes took a lesson from the Super-bug and have built and flown an uprated Gripen with more fuel, bigger engine and more stores, right? It is not your father's Gripen.
I had a chance to work with the civil side at SAAB and those guys know what they are doing. I was surprised at how small the Gripen is.. but it is a very capable machine. And for countries with a limited budget, it makes sense.
When one looks back at the SAAB machine, they can not be counted out whether we are going back to the world's only fighter with a reverser (Viggen), the double delta Draken, the fat but good performing Tunan and the somewhat F-80 looking Lansen. Good solid performers...
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What was the loadout that year at Farnborough for the EF, Rafaele, and Gripen? I know the Rhino has 8 or 10 Amraam strapped on it for its FMS demo configuration and it still does the full up demo that the TACDEMO teams use here in the states. I'll have to ask the demo teams getting back from the UK what their thoughts were. We just had the French Rafaele's here on det. The guys that got 1v1s with them had mixed reviews. Once again the pilot makes the difference in fighting the jet.
One of these days I'm gonna make Farnborough! I don't doubt your observations and probably would have agreed with you had I seen it also. It's tough to size up the superior fighter from an airshow. For the record, I've always thought the Blue Angels had a better show than the Thunderbirds (sorry to my T-Bird bros, I still love ya, it must be something about that configured aileron roll the Blue Angels do after t/o), but from my knowledge of both aircraft, I'd rather ride the Viper into combat. Now if I had to land on a boat afterwards, my answer would change.
True on the airshow demos, but most were dedicated to exploring low speed handling and manueverability. The Super Hornet kept demonstrating its high AOA and how it can "push over" along its CG and accelerate.
The Eurofighter just did a standard show...and the Viper seemed kinda standard too..although it demo'd some nice tight turns......the Saab was pretty impressive.
The Red Arrows kicked any US demo teams *ss, BTW. Of course, Brit airshow rules are different. The Arrows formed above a scatted layer (which became a BKN layer), and flew a from loop through holes in the clouds.
The Brit Harrier demo was awesome. 4 ship in trail. They turned toward the audience. The center two moved forward and bowed. Their exhaust was directly above the metal fence where photographers and audience folks were....needless to say they didnt get a good shot. I was laughing at the blast they endured. Never see THAT at a US show!
It was cool. My Sq is there now. Lockheed treated us WELL.
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Eurofighter, Gripen, & Rafaele
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