Author Topic: Euro Engineering (Read 197 times)

GryFox · « **on:** March 29, 2002, 12:28:35 PM »

Do they know something we dont..?

I was watching the Discovery Wings Channel this week and noticed that nearly all of the new fighter's developed across the pond are going exclusively with a canard wing design. (SU-27, EF 2000, SAAB JAS39, Mirage, etc)

The US has chosen not to adopt the canard wing in its new generation of fighters like the F-22 and the JSF.

I am curious as to the US's reluctance to use this technology. Are we more focused on stealth and BVR engagements rather than maneuverability and will this mentality lead to the same results as it did in Vietnam when the US thought that close in dogfighting was outdated?

I would be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on this.

GF

narsus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2002, 12:47:06 PM »

Well GryFox

I do like alot of the eurofighter designs, especially the Saabs. I believe U.S. policy is that they want survivable aircraft and pilots for tat matter. Think about it if I am flying a F-22 and you a Eurofighter, and I can see you 20 miles before you see me that is one hell of an advantage.

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2002, 01:27:37 PM »

They don't make the plane faster. They don't make it more stealthy.

They make it more maneuverable.

They expose extra area to potential damage.

They now put you control surface out front to absorb initial impacts... as opposed to a fixed object like a wing.

I guess there may have been more thought that went into not going with them than most people are willing to admit.

AKDejaVu

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2002, 11:27:33 PM »

Then there's the difference in war fighting doctrines to consider.

Most of the Euro fighters are built to fight a different doctrine than US doctrine.