More fuel to the Rafale vs EF2000 fire, courtesy of Air Forces
monthly forum:
Basically in A/A, current Typhoon and Rafale are on par, with the
following measured:
- AMRAAM vs MICA(both will eventually get Meteor)
- T/W ratio sees original Typhoon with the lead, although with the
new A/G requirements for Typhoon and M88-3s for export Rafales
we're back to even stevens
- Turn/climb rates are pretty similar
- RBE2 vs CAPTOR radar. RBE2 is more advanced, but performance
doesn't difer much. Both are scheduled to receive AMSAR anyway, but
the Rafale will be 4 yesrs before Typhoon.
- Rafale has TV for its passive search/track system
As you can see, we're in a virtual dead heat here, the so called
weight advantages Typhoon had was due to its originally being
designed for the counter air role in mind. Adding in the A/G
burdens Rafale takes a pretty strong lead, which even Eurofighter
concedes, as Rafale has
- more hardpoints capable of carrying fuel tanks, more harpoints
for carrying heavy loads, and more hardpoints.
- was designed from the outset with multirole in mind, while
Typhoon was added A/G role later. Hence Eurofighter uses the A/A
Typhoons data to lie about its AUW
- With increased tanks and CFTs, it can easily fulfil our range
requirements
- It has passive track and search systems along with a "active
stealth" EW suite, and is generally more "cutting edge" than
Typhoon
A look at our requirements or the new fighter will easily see what
is better suited. Now just hope that those who decide feel the same
way...
Besides,(here me being flippant again), someone once likened the
Rafale with CFTs as being a cross between Ashley Judd and JLo.
Anything that looks like thats gonna get my vote! 