--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The future growth potential is undefined so I'd take a
try.
The F-15s have CFTs which offer a developmental route
that is not available to the typhoon, rafale or suk. The F-15 will
have capability to be equipped with the full range of latest
weaponry such as the JDRADM which may not be available to
rafale/typhoon (though likely). The F-15 is already ahead in radar
tech/ ew/ engine/ stealth etc which means the rest have a lot
more to catch up.
CFTs can also be developed for other
aircraft & it is not necessarily limited to F
15s.
If JDRADM may not be available to Typhoon then likewise,
weapons such as Meteor is not available to the F 15. But US
aircraft clearly have the lead in weapons choices
especially for air to ground. Also, highly capable &
low cost US air to ground weapons are being developed
with older ones still being improved.
Yes, F 15 is now ahead of aircraft such as
Typhoon for radar such as AESA, but the PIRATE
IRST on Typhoon is probably ahead of the AAS42
which again is from a previous generation.
Growth can be measured by catch up. If so, then
certainly, the others have a lot more growth potential. Is there
truly any growth potential that the typhoon has an advantage
in?
Yes, the new generation aircraft clearly have the higher
growth potential just like any new gen weapons systems where
modularity, data buses, stealth etc for example are already
built in from the beginning with future improvements or growth also
in mind. Although not as stealthy as the F35,
Typhoons as do the Rafale or new gen aircraft have been
designed from the onset with a measure of this capability.
For the F15, this capability is just being looked at now as in
the 1970s this was not even considered. The concept then was big,
powerful and very maeneuverable.
The F15 although from a previous generation is itself a
very good example of what can be done in terms of
improvements in capability. The F15 was designed from
the onset as an air superiority fighter with " not a pound for air
to ground". But today it is the premier multirole aircraft with the
emphasis on the strike role.
The Typhoon is similar to F 15 in that from its
inception its primary role is air superiority. It is just
beginning to be improved and adapted to becoming a mutilrole
aircraft. It probably will be optimised for the strike role
in the future, just like the F15.
The advantage for Typhoon over the F15 will be in BVR,
when the Meteor is operational. The US does not have an
equivalent to Meteor nor is there at the moment a plan to
develop a rival to
Meteor. Without a similar long range
missile puts the F 15 at a big disadvantage in the
future.
In BVR , maeneuverability is no longer that important if
one has Meteor. And in future BVR looks to be the
dominant form of air to air warfare. Also, smaller &
agile aircraft ( such as Gripen ) with HMS and short
range high off bore sight short range missiles put larger
aircraft such as F15 and perhaps even Typhoon at
significant risk in WVR combat.
The typhoon has been measured against the F-15SG and the
selection has been made. The rsaf /mindef/dsta should not be
underestimated in their rigorous and thorough analysis to take
into account future developments.
As I said, the F15 SG is the correct choice for the RSAF
as it has all the advanced technolgies and weaponry available
today.
But the Typhoon will overtake the F 15 SG in key areas in
the future.
The RSAF/ MINDEF / DSTA selection process is clearly
very rigorous and thorough and it shows in the selection fo the F15
SG.
My take is that in the future the Typhoon looks
extremely good for future capabilities especially in the area of
BVR. Also, we shud not be overly dependant on the US for
fighters , if it can be helped. If RSAF goes
for the F35, then teh Typhoon will be an extremely good
complement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------