Posted on 12/12/2011 3:36:21 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
“I’d rather go to war in a Typhoon than in a F-18 (Super) Hornet” an Aussie exchange pilot says
December 5, 2011
“I’d rather go to war in a Typhoon than in a F-18 Hornet”. This alleged Australian exchange pilot’s statement is one of the most interesting outcomes (and marketing slogans) of BERSAMA LIMA 11 an exercise marking the 40th Anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement (FPDA) the only multilateral defence agreement in South East Asia with an operational element commitment undertaken by five nations (UK, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia) to consult in the event of an attack on Singapore or Malaysia.
Image source: RAF/Crown Copyright
This year’s edition of the exercise was attended by 18 ships, two submarines, 4000 troops and 68 aircraft: among them four RAF Typhoons (three single seat and one twin seat jets, both belonging to the Tranche 2) from RAF Leuchars that undertook a 4-day 7,000 mile trip to RMAF Butterworth (including stops in Jordan, Oman and Sri Lanka).
According to an email I’ve received today from a Eurofighter pilot, the overall performance of the plane was almost faultless and much better than anybody had anticipated in spite of the limited support and spare parts available:
“There were no significant problems with the aircraft apart from a small radar issue on one aircraft during the exercise. No issues were attributed to the extreme humidity and local environment, a significant improvement on performance during the Singapore campaign.”
During Bersana Lima 11, the British Typhoons, that had their baptism of fire in the air-to-surface role during the Air War in Libya, faced Malaysian Mig 29s, Australian F-18s (C and F) and Singaporean F16s using for the first time during an operational deployment, their electric hat (HMSS/HEA – Helmet Mounted Simbology System/Helmet Equipment Assembly the Typhoon JHMCS equivalent) and “easily came out on top in all engagements.”
To such an extent that the Aussie pilot made the notable comment (don’t forget the Royal Australian Air Force is an operator of both Legacy and Super Hornets….).
Image by Nicola Ruffino
Shortlisted in the Indian MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) tender for 126 fighter planes for the Indian Air Force with the Dassault Rafale (the recent loser of the Switzerland selection for a fighter plane to replace the ageing F-5Es), with Ex. Bersana Lima 11 the Typhoon has undertaken another operative (and marketing) campaign to prove the aircraft expeditionary capabilities and its superior technology.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
However, the Tiffy is still the better plane. Easily.
LLS
Haven’t seen an F-106 in a long time.
ping
The RAAF pilots are not all that unfamiliar with the Typhoon given their close ties with RAF.
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I thought there was an exercise in India recently where the tiffy performed very poorly against Indian Airforce aircraft.
The Typhoons performed very well against the Indian SU-30MKI and lost only some close-in engagements where the SU used its thrust-vectoring capability.
oh, ok.
It would still be about the same. The SU-30 can’t undo the disadvantages caused by it’s significantly larger dimensions (something shared with the F-15) or it’s lower thrust-weight ratio compared to the newer and lighter Typhoon.
I believe Su-30s would still have some overall strategic advantages (not necessarily in a one-on-one combat) because of higher payload, longer range and more fuel. And AESA, long range BVR, ability to launch cruise missiles from standoff distances and 3D TVC will effectively balance out whatever advantages the Typhoon may have.
Well long-range strike is an area where the SU-30 does have decisive advantage since the Typhoon was never seriously meant for that role. If it does get conformal fuel tanks, it would be a bit more competitive but I think it’s overall range may be below the SU-30 or rafale. The Typhoon would still retain an edge in aerial combat as it is also slated to get AESA radars, the Meteor missile and probably also thrust vectoring engines (for which research has been done). The SU-30’s big size and older electronics/missiles do put it at somewhat of a disadvantage against newer fighters. Most new aircraft are likely to detect it before it detects them.
Thanks sukhoi-30mki.
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