Eurofighter Woes

[ozzy72]

The Eurofighter Typhoon has been grounded after a series of faults occurred in flight. Engineers are working to discover the cause of the problem, which is the latest setback in years of troubles for the programme.
The Eurofighter is a joint effort between Britain's largest defence manufacturer, BAE Systems and the Franco-German Eads, supported by the respective governments.
The grounding of the aircraft is a safety precaution after a series of problems were discovered while flying. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that the flights of the Typhoon had been suspended after three "in flight incidents". Two occurred where the undercarriage malfunctioned. The third incident involved a problem with the brakes on Friday. They failed when an aircraft was attempting to stop on a runway in Munich.
The spokesperson described the incidents as "teething problems", and said that a back-up system meant that there was no damage to the aircraft.
She added that the first formal delivery of three aircraft to the RAF, which had been expected on Friday, was likely to be delayed. Last week Eurofighter jets were officially presented to the Spanish air force, but their intended participation in an air display during the country's national day parade on Sunday had to be cancelled after the suspension of flights.
Officials said that they did not know how long the aircraft would be grounded.
Last month the German court of auditors strongly criticised the Eurofighter project for a series of technical glitches, including an inability to fire the aircrafts' weapons.
In November, a aeroplane crashed in Spain. The project is now four years late and

[Craig.]

well this is what happens when you let the MOD get their hands on anything :-/
this is meant to be one of the greatest aircraft flying today and they cant even get it off the ground safely.
maybe they should start, designing its replacement, by the time thats into production the eurofighter might finally be ready:)

[Hagar]

I won't say "I told you so". I never liked it & nothing I've seen so far has changed my mind. I suspected from the very start that this thing will be obsolete (or at least obsolescent) before it enters service. It's always the same with anything designed by a committee. The price goes way over estimated budget & our services get inferior equiipment.  ::)

[HawkerTempest5]

By the time this thing is fixed and working it will be so out of date the the RAF will be looking at it's replacement before it even goes into service!

[Hagar]

Most successful British military aircraft I can think of were originally developed as private ventures, usually by the foresight & at the expense of the manufacturer. Some were virtually ruined once the the brass hats had finished adding the stuff they wanted. (The Beagle Basset communications aircraft ended up at twice the weight of its successful predecessor the Beagle 206. I'm surprised it could even get off the ground.) Fortunately some gave oustanding service despite this interference, the Spitfire & Harrier are only 2 examples I could mention. Unfortunately, with the state of the British aircraft industry it's no longer possible for one company (& one design team) to produce anything competitive.

[Craig.]

hawker, the eurofighter has been out of date for almost 5 years prob more.
i still think a huge overhaul and upgrade for the harrier and tornado would be the best option and prob alot cheaper. a new radar, and weapons option for the harrier, and perhaps new engines, and perhaps a better skin for the tornado to help make it more stealthy, its still one of if not the best low level high speed bomber in the world.

[Smoke2much]

We should buy some Hornets.  They certainly look prettier.

Will

[ATI_7500]

or some MiGs....but SAABs would be okay,too.

[denishc]

 I though I heard that British Aerospace bought the aircraft division of SAAB?  If so wouldn't the "Griffen" be a better replacement for the Eurofighter?  It would have most of the capabilities of the Eurofighter, except for range, and would still be home built.

 If not maybe the F-22 would be a good choice, if the U.S. is willing to sell them.

[Craig.]

the F22 is to expensive. and the saab, doesnt come close to meeting the requirements.
the french had the right idea when they pulled out of the eurofighter and went to the rafale, hell its almost as good as the eurofighter and alot cheaper. if they can get their act together the eurofighter can still be good if they give a private company the chance to modify it, but it wont happen sadly

[Crumbso]

nah I like the eurofighter and besides the typhoon kicked the rafales arse in air combat tests Its only a problem with the undecarraige and nothing too serious I'm still confident of the aircraft.

[ATI_7500]

yup,but our good ol' F-4s and MiG 29s will go outta service for 'em...

[denishc]

 "good ol' F-4s"........sounds like its time for an upgrade!

[Crumbso]

Oh but I like mig-29's

Can I buy one I'll give your gov a fiver for one  ;)

[Crumbso]

The tornado was a euro colaboration and that was a huge succes (not to mention a beauty of an aircraft.)