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CaptainCrunch · 02-23-2018, 11:24 AM

Canada has released the list of competitors for the fighter jet replacement program. Surprisingly Boeing made the list

http://canada.businesschief.com/lead...8-fighter-jets

Lockheed-Martin, F-35 stealth fighter
Boeing, F-18 Super Hornet
Airbus, Eurofighter
Saab AB, Gripen
Dassault Aviation, Rafale

Maybe a little bit about each plane

Lockheed Martin F-35

Current market cost - Expected cost by 2019 for the F-35A $85 million US

Description - Single Seat, Single Engine Muti-role 5th generation military aircraft. The F-35 is considered the state of the art aircraft for the next generation. Using a combination of stealth, highly advanced sensor and sensor fusion it gives pilots un unprecedented battlefield awareness. Combined with its inter-operability with other aircraft, vehicles and naval weapons pilots see a complete view of the battlefield.

Pro's - Most advanced sensor suite in the world, built around the AN/AGP - 81 active phase radar system, it outranges most radar systems in the world and is considered un-jammable. Also has 6 infra red sensor systems.

The Stealth system is considered to be extremely low maintenance. The aircraft links with everything, and self maintains through an advanced diagnosis and ordering system

Extremely upgradable to future tech including the ability to control multiple UAV's.

Cons - Single Engine might be a concern, however the reliability of the F135 Engine is extremely good and features what's called a stealthy afterburner. Not the fastest aircraft in the world, but it can get to mach 1.2 without afterburner for brief periods (150 miles) and mach 1.6 on afterburner

There are still bugs around the oxygen system and the extremely sophisticated helmet.

Year introduced: August 2016

Number Produced 268

Boeing F-18 Super Hornet (E)

Current Market Price - $70 million dollars US, (however when Canada approached Boeing about buying 18 Super Hornets they were quoted about $6 billion dollars or $333 million dollars per plane)

Description - Twin Engine Multi-role fighter, which is an upgraded and larger version of the venerable F-18. A fourth Generation evolutionary redesign of its older brother. It was designed to replace the F-14 Tom Cat

Pros - advances over the standard F-18 include an upgradeded AESA scanned array radar system and infra red tracking system. The engine has been improved to give 35% more thrust over the older F-18s. The helmet technology has been improved. It could almost be considered to be a 4.5 generation fighter as a lot of work has gone into reducing the radar cross section, while the fighter is bigger then the previous fighters. To improve its chances of survivability it incorporates a aggressive Electronic Counter Measures Suite. Maximum speed is mach 1.6 with burners engaged. Can carry extremely heavy loads because its not a stealth platform.

Cons -While it has a reduced radar cross section its not a overly stealthy plane. Its upgrade path is unclear for future tech. While it has some inter-operability, its not considered to be as battlefield aware as 5th generation fighters. While its an F-18 in spirit, Pilots will have to go through transitional training as it is a different fighter.

Year Introduced - 1999

Number built - 500

Airbus Eurofighter

Current Market Cost - Up to $110 million US

Description - Twin Engine, Multi-role, Canarad Equipped 4th generation fighter

Pros - Extremely agile at low speed and after - burner, through the use of Canards can keep the nose on the enemy. While not stealthy it has a reduced radar cross section, while it doesn't use weapons bays it does use recessed weapon attachments. Its also big on using passive sensor which are very advanced. Uses a Praetorian system to help pilots deal with and identify a threat, and incorporates all sensor data through a sensor fusion system called an attack and identification system. Uses the Captor-E scanned array radar as well as the Pirate infra-red tracking system. It has super cruise capability of up to mach 1.5 and at afterburner mach 2.

Cons - While its a extreme dog fighter, it isn't considered to be in the class of the F-35 or Raptor in terms of battlefield suitability unless it can close to dog fighting range. Original developed as a pure air superiority class, its air to ground is described as maturing. It lacks the advanced Inter-operability of American Aircraft. Questions around its up-gradability to future features. Both the F-35 and the Super hornet can carry heavier loads.

Year introduced 1994
Numbers built 600+

Saab AB Gripen E/F

Current Market Costs - Not really finalized. The Gripen C cost about $60 million dollars US, Its expected that the E will more then likely fall into the $85 million dollar range.

Description - A light Multi-role single engine 4th generation fighter.

Pros- Relatively inexpensive, however the Gripen E is still in its development phase. Called a smart fighter this is an upgrade to the excellent Gripen C series that came into play in the mid 90's. Uses the Raven Scanned Array radar as well as the Pirate Infra-red tracking system. Not stealth but has a improved radar cross section over the former Gripen C. Uses the new F414 engine which allows it to super cruise at Mach 1.1 with a air combat load, and possibly to mach 2 with burner.

Cons - A relatively light fighter, it can't carry the combat loads of the above fighters, in fact its leaded weight carried is a quarter of the above fighters. Still in development and possibly further behind then the F-35. Lacks the situational awareness and inter-operability of other planes.

Year Introduced - - - -

Numbers produced - test beds

Dassault Rafale

Current Market Costs - $84 million per plane for the C variant

Description - Twin Engine, Canard Equipt Delta Wing 4th generation fighter.

Pros - Extremely agile fighter banking on its aerodynamic instability. Also uses its canards extremely effectively in being able to keep nose on. A thrust vectoring engine is under development. While its not stealth it uses reduced radar cross section technology including the reduction of its tail. It also has ducted engines to reduce its infra-red signature. incorporates a passive home built radar system with a home built advanced RIBE2 Active scanning radar array and a home built Infra-red scanner. They combine these signals through a flight management system to give the plane a version of sensor fusion. Maximum speed of mach 1.8 however it doesn't have super cruise.

Cons - Last time that Canada looked at the Rafale its engined failed the cold weather testing. Without a soft ware re-write it will struggle to inter-operate with the United States. while it can carry a fairly heavy load, its air to ground ability was developed as a secondary aspect, so its considered immature. Its upgradability to future tech isn't great.

Introduced - 2001

number built 164

02-23-2018, 11:24 AM	#777
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	Canada has released the list of competitors for the fighter jet replacement program. Surprisingly Boeing made the list http://canada.businesschief.com/lead...8-fighter-jets Lockheed-Martin, F-35 stealth fighter Boeing, F-18 Super Hornet Airbus, Eurofighter Saab AB, Gripen Dassault Aviation, Rafale Maybe a little bit about each plane Lockheed Martin F-35 Current market cost - Expected cost by 2019 for the F-35A $85 million US Description - Single Seat, Single Engine Muti-role 5th generation military aircraft. The F-35 is considered the state of the art aircraft for the next generation. Using a combination of stealth, highly advanced sensor and sensor fusion it gives pilots un unprecedented battlefield awareness. Combined with its inter-operability with other aircraft, vehicles and naval weapons pilots see a complete view of the battlefield. Pro's - Most advanced sensor suite in the world, built around the AN/AGP - 81 active phase radar system, it outranges most radar systems in the world and is considered un-jammable. Also has 6 infra red sensor systems. The Stealth system is considered to be extremely low maintenance. The aircraft links with everything, and self maintains through an advanced diagnosis and ordering system Extremely upgradable to future tech including the ability to control multiple UAV's. Cons - Single Engine might be a concern, however the reliability of the F135 Engine is extremely good and features what's called a stealthy afterburner. Not the fastest aircraft in the world, but it can get to mach 1.2 without afterburner for brief periods (150 miles) and mach 1.6 on afterburner There are still bugs around the oxygen system and the extremely sophisticated helmet. Year introduced: August 2016 Number Produced 268 Boeing F-18 Super Hornet (E) Current Market Price - $70 million dollars US, (however when Canada approached Boeing about buying 18 Super Hornets they were quoted about $6 billion dollars or $333 million dollars per plane) Description - Twin Engine Multi-role fighter, which is an upgraded and larger version of the venerable F-18. A fourth Generation evolutionary redesign of its older brother. It was designed to replace the F-14 Tom Cat Pros - advances over the standard F-18 include an upgradeded AESA scanned array radar system and infra red tracking system. The engine has been improved to give 35% more thrust over the older F-18s. The helmet technology has been improved. It could almost be considered to be a 4.5 generation fighter as a lot of work has gone into reducing the radar cross section, while the fighter is bigger then the previous fighters. To improve its chances of survivability it incorporates a aggressive Electronic Counter Measures Suite. Maximum speed is mach 1.6 with burners engaged. Can carry extremely heavy loads because its not a stealth platform. Cons -While it has a reduced radar cross section its not a overly stealthy plane. Its upgrade path is unclear for future tech. While it has some inter-operability, its not considered to be as battlefield aware as 5th generation fighters. While its an F-18 in spirit, Pilots will have to go through transitional training as it is a different fighter. Year Introduced - 1999 Number built - 500 Airbus Eurofighter Current Market Cost - Up to $110 million US Description - Twin Engine, Multi-role, Canarad Equipped 4th generation fighter Pros - Extremely agile at low speed and after - burner, through the use of Canards can keep the nose on the enemy. While not stealthy it has a reduced radar cross section, while it doesn't use weapons bays it does use recessed weapon attachments. Its also big on using passive sensor which are very advanced. Uses a Praetorian system to help pilots deal with and identify a threat, and incorporates all sensor data through a sensor fusion system called an attack and identification system. Uses the Captor-E scanned array radar as well as the Pirate infra-red tracking system. It has super cruise capability of up to mach 1.5 and at afterburner mach 2. Cons - While its a extreme dog fighter, it isn't considered to be in the class of the F-35 or Raptor in terms of battlefield suitability unless it can close to dog fighting range. Original developed as a pure air superiority class, its air to ground is described as maturing. It lacks the advanced Inter-operability of American Aircraft. Questions around its up-gradability to future features. Both the F-35 and the Super hornet can carry heavier loads. Year introduced 1994 Numbers built 600+ Saab AB Gripen E/F Current Market Costs - Not really finalized. The Gripen C cost about $60 million dollars US, Its expected that the E will more then likely fall into the $85 million dollar range. Description - A light Multi-role single engine 4th generation fighter. Pros- Relatively inexpensive, however the Gripen E is still in its development phase. Called a smart fighter this is an upgrade to the excellent Gripen C series that came into play in the mid 90's. Uses the Raven Scanned Array radar as well as the Pirate Infra-red tracking system. Not stealth but has a improved radar cross section over the former Gripen C. Uses the new F414 engine which allows it to super cruise at Mach 1.1 with a air combat load, and possibly to mach 2 with burner. Cons - A relatively light fighter, it can't carry the combat loads of the above fighters, in fact its leaded weight carried is a quarter of the above fighters. Still in development and possibly further behind then the F-35. Lacks the situational awareness and inter-operability of other planes. Year Introduced - - - - Numbers produced - test beds Dassault Rafale Current Market Costs - $84 million per plane for the C variant Description - Twin Engine, Canard Equipt Delta Wing 4th generation fighter. Pros - Extremely agile fighter banking on its aerodynamic instability. Also uses its canards extremely effectively in being able to keep nose on. A thrust vectoring engine is under development. While its not stealth it uses reduced radar cross section technology including the reduction of its tail. It also has ducted engines to reduce its infra-red signature. incorporates a passive home built radar system with a home built advanced RIBE2 Active scanning radar array and a home built Infra-red scanner. They combine these signals through a flight management system to give the plane a version of sensor fusion. Maximum speed of mach 1.8 however it doesn't have super cruise. Cons - Last time that Canada looked at the Rafale its engined failed the cold weather testing. Without a soft ware re-write it will struggle to inter-operate with the United States. while it can carry a fairly heavy load, its air to ground ability was developed as a secondary aspect, so its considered immature. Its upgradability to future tech isn't great. Introduced - 2001 number built 164 __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!