ROK air force is trying to make a tough decision between Boeing's F-15 SE, Lockheed's F-35A, and EADS Eurofighter.
For the next 10 years, 8 billion dollars will be invested in the fighter experimental (F-X) business, and on the 14th, after evaluating the project proposals, all three models passed the first test.
This week full-fledged negotiations and test evaluations are scheduled for the three models. I wonder which one will win the final deal.
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| F-15SE |
F-15SE (a proposed upgrade of the F-15E using stealth features)
Manufacturer : U.S. Boeing
Length : 19.45m, Height : 5.64m, Wingspan : 13.05m
Compared to other models, the F-15SE is larger, faster, and has a wider combat radius.
Pros : F-15SE is very stable, uses twin engines, which gives enhanced mobility and a larger combat radius.
Cons : As an upgrade of F-15, is old-fashioned. Although the stealth features were added, there are limits to the stealth because the base model was not a stealth aircraft.
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| F-35A |
F-35A
Manufacturer : U.S. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Length : 15.37m, Height : 5.28m, Wingspan : 10.65m
Cons : Has a small combat radius, uses single-engine, making it less mobile. The price is expensive, and is under development, so has never been deployed in actual combat.
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| Eurofighter Typhoon |
Eurofighter Typhoon
Manufacturer : Eurofighter GmbH, EADS
Length : 15.96m, Height : 5.28m, Wingspan : 10.95m
Pros : Is considered to be suitable for the Korean circumstances, and the performance was verified during the actual deployment at the Libyan crisis.
※ EADS offered the joint production of its Eurofighter Typhoon, which will allow South korea to become the world's fifth nation with the capacity to produce the two-engine, multi-role combat aircraft if the ROK selects EADS as the winning bidder.
According to plan, 60 aircraft are to be deployed starting year 2016 by the end of 2021, which will enhance the ROK air force's military strength in preparing against North Korea's threats, and assure the stability and peace of the Korean peninsula.
Depends on what you want.
ReplyDelete1. If you want an air-superiority fighter then the F-35A is the worst choice and the Typhoon is the best choice.
2. If you want a stealthy bomber then the F-35A is the best choice. However, it can only carry two heavy bombs in internal weapon bays. That's not a hole lot for a bomber and using externally mounted bombs sacrifices all the stealth advantages.
3. If you want a good multi-role aircraft then the F-15E is a good choice and possibly quite cheap. But, it is optimized for the strike role - long range interdiction - not in the air-superiority role. Training would be minimized because the aircraft is already in you possession. It would also benefit US south Korean relations. So from an economical and strategic point of view, this makes a whole lot of sense.
4. If you want the best multirole aircraft, then the Typhoon is the best choice. For long range interdiction, add conformal fuel tanks. Include the best sensor suite, i.e. Captor-E ASEA radar and PIRATE infrared search and track. Include the best missiles for air-to-air combat, i.e. MBDA meteor (long range radar guided missile) and IRIS-T (short range highly agile infrared guided missile). The weapons load of the aircraft is 7.5 tons. Within this limit, you will be able to integrate any bombs and air-to-surface missiles you want.
Cheerio!
Thanks for your insight!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comment, I am persuaded that the Typhoon is the best choice.
Let's hope Korea is smart enough to take sides with Typhoon!