I find it amusing that people think the F-18E's AESA set is going to make such a huge difference in a BVR engagement, when the range of detection for a the Tranche 1 Typhoon's non-AESA set will exceed the range of any BVR missile on the market today. Both aircraft are going to know that the other is there, it is simply a matter of whose missle will fly further and with a wing optimised for supersonic BVR engagements and a substantially better TWR, the Typhoon is going to have a substantial edge over the F-18E on that count. The claim that the F-18E has better AMRAAM's is spurious.That all depends on how good a missile you get approved to buy from the US government and at least for export customers they are going to get the same AMRAAM, irrespective of whether they operate F-18E's or Typhoons. The big difference for them is that it is only 4 years before the Meteor becomes available (only 3 years after the first export Tyhoons are delivered), an option not available to an F-18E user.

>>>I find it amusing that people think the F-18E's AESA set is going to make such a huge difference in a BVR engagement, when the range of detection for a the Tranche 1 Typhoon's non-AESA set will exceed the range of any BVR missile on the market today. Both aircraft are going to know that the other is there, it is simply a matter of whose missle will fly further and with a wing optimised for supersonic BVR engagements and a substantially better TWR, the Typhoon is going to have a substantial edge over the F-18E on that count. The claim that the F-18E has better AMRAAM's is spurious.That all depends on how good a missile you get approved to buy from the US government and at least for export customers they are going to get the same AMRAAM, irrespective of whether they operate F-18E's or Typhoons. The big difference for them is that it is only 4 years before the Meteor becomes available (only 3 years after the first export Tyhoons are delivered), an option not available to an F-18E user.<<< ---Falsehoods. The METEOR will be in developement until 2010. Who knows when it gets into the field. The US IS FIELDING aircraft that are both invisible to METEOR and capable of destroying METEORS IN FLIGHT. One of those aircraft is the F-18. Also a US laser weapon system designed to destroy aircraft and missiles will be available to the DoD BEFORE METEOR is even operational. Its important to know the current and future state of the art.

"Falsehoods. The METEOR will be in developement until 2010. Who knows when it gets into the field. The US IS FIELDING aircraft that are both invisible to METEOR and capable of destroying METEORS IN FLIGHT. One of those aircraft is the F-18. Also a US laser weapon system designed to destroy aircraft and missiles will be available to the DoD BEFORE METEOR is even operational. Its important to know the current and future state of the art." That the US is fielding aircraft invisible to the Meteor is beyond doubt and is why I'm happy that Australia will be buying one of them, the F-35. The F-18E however can never be invisible to the Meteor as it carries external weapons. As for your laser missile shooter-downerer, I'll believe the technology works when I see it. That has after all been one of your major arguments for the F-18E over the Typhoon hasn't it, that it is "combat proven"? (if dropping a few JDAM on defenceless raghead infantry matters on this count). I'd suggest that an entirely new technology like laser missile defence for aircraft needs a somewhat greater threshold of proof, than does an incremental improvement in aircraft design from a consortium of successful military avaition companies. I'd note though that when I've heard of laser anti-artillery/missile systems in recent years, they have generally been mounted on the back of a truck to defend troops against attack. I'm very sceptical about the idea that they will be miniturised to the level where they can be carried by a warplane whilst the said aircraft carries a useful load, by 2010.

Says hear that development will be complete by 2010 and will be followed by the introduction of the missile into service. Something of a contrast to the claim by DA that the missile will still be in development at that time. Some people should get their facts straight, before shouting falsehood. http://www.mbda.net/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=123

No sounds like you should trust someone who knows and not someone who promisses a fighter THAT STILL ISNT FULLY FUNCTIONAL. No METEOR in 2010. IOC not until 2012 or beyond.

>>>As for your laser missile shooter-downerer, I'll believe the technology works when I see it. That has after all been one of your major arguments for the F-18E over the Typhoon hasn't it, that it is "combat proven"? (if dropping a few JDAM on defenceless raghead infantry matters on this count). I'd suggest that an entirely new technology like laser missile defence for aircraft needs a somewhat greater threshold of proof, than does an incremental improvement in aircraft design from a consortium of successful military avaition companies.<<< ---You just simply cant accept it can you. This is the United States we are talking about. If we introduce a new RMA it will work. HELLADS is near completion and will be ready before Meteor. >>>The F-18E however can never be invisible to the Meteor as it carries external weapons.<<< ---The statement implies that you arent aware of the APG-79 AESA capability or the fact that the US has or will have away around external weapons and RCS issues. http://www.ausairpower.net/000-FA-22A-10.jpg ">

When was the leap of logic made that reduced RCS = stealth. The SR-71 has reduced RCS but no one is claiming it is a stealth aircraft. US military history along with everybody elses is full of examples of new technology not working as advertised. Whether or not laser equipped fighters will be able to funtion like airborne Aegis ships or if it only ends up being a marginally effective system is still to be decided, only time will tell.

"No sounds like you should trust someone who knows and not someone who promisses a fighter THAT STILL ISNT FULLY FUNCTIONAL. No METEOR in 2010. IOC not until 2012 or beyond." Look's like Gixxerking is going to start claiming that he has some special knowledge about European missile programs, that the the manufacturers themselves don't know. Same old story. I see this discussion starting to go down hill, so I think I'll leave it there.

"US military history along with everybody elses is full of examples of new technology not working as advertised. Whether or not laser equipped fighters will be able to funtion like airborne Aegis ships or if it only ends up being a marginally effective system is still to be decided, only time will tell." The name Sergent York immediately springs to mind. That AA system was so effective. that it mistook the extraction fans on a field lavatory for helecopter blades and blew the sh*t out of it(excuse the pun). Needless to say it was cancelled and the US Army went without a much needed upgrade to its low-level air defences. Like you say AE, technological problems happen and even to the mighty US.

"technological problems happen and even to the mighty US" Oh god yes, If I didnt care about having a job in the new year I could tell you some classics!!!!!