UK unveils new Tempest fighter jet to replace Typhoon

The Guardian ^ | 16 Jul 2018 | Rob Davies

[sukhoi-30mki]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725600/CombatAirStrategy_Lowres.pdf

[BenLurkin]

Looks.....familiar.....

[Bringbackthedraft]

If it was a Russian Air Craft would it be called the F22ski?

[Skooz]

It does.

I assume functionality and aerodynamics lead to a more or less common appearance whether or not any copying is involved.

Kind of like how wind tunnels have made most cars looks pretty much the same, regardless of manufacturer.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[butlerweave]

A re-skinned F-18 ?

[laplata]

Good points.

[ThinkingBuddha]

Looks.....familiar.....

Form follows function.

[Mariner]

I fear the Brits may be catching the Chinese Syndrome.

Whereby they start to believe if they make something with all the proper external appearance factors, against the same design factors, that it is just as good as the real thing.

They are more concerned with appearing modern and formidable that BEING modern and formidable.

[Captain7seas]

Sharia compliant I am sure.

[Jewbacca]

Vaperware.

[Yo-Yo]

I don't understand all of the 'looks familiar' comments. It's a cranked arrow delta wing, with what I assume to be thrust vectoring nozzles.

If anything, it's a modern take on the Avro Arrow.

[Rockingham]

It looks like the offspring of an F-22 and an F-35. Similar notional designs have appeared as what an updated F-22 would look like. Since the announcement for the Tempest was made just after Trump and US Defense Secretary Mattis visited, I have a sneaking suspicion that the US is about to announce a similar project and that the “Tempest” will be the UK variant badge for a US successor to the F-22.

[TalonDJ]

“I have a sneaking suspicion that the US is about to announce a similar project and that the “Tempest” will be the UK variant badge for a US successor to the F-22.”

You might be on to something. I could see Lockheed floating some F-22 updates with a delta wing like that. And the British have been fond of joint ventures for a long time, so they might bite.

[MCF]

I think at this point it is old technology to build piloted fighters. With AI pilotless planes will be far superior in air to air combat.

[skimbell]

If it’s the top plane in post #1, looks to be a single engine.

[GreyFriar]

I wonder if the RAF pilots will give this new Tempest a different name, just like USAF pilots did when the Air Force recycled WWII aircraft name of Thunderbolt into Wart Hog?

[Rockingham]

The F-22 and F-35 both have great merit — and considerable flaws. A new model that combined their best features and permitted modular variation would have considerable appeal. I can see Britain even using potential sales of their version as post-Brexit leverage in discussions with European militaries. As a practical matter, the decline of Europe’s ground forces will more or less compel their nations to rely more heavily on airpower for defense. Weak and obsolescent, the Typhoon does not meet the need, so they must soon go shopping.

[nuke_road_warrior]

Tempest, Typhoon have the Brits run out of names, so they keep recycling WWII fighters? How about Hurricane, Spitfire, Camel?

[minnesota_bound]

FTA: he wanted the Tempest to be flying alongside the existing fleet of Typhoons and the US-made F-35s by 2035.

That is near 20 years from now!
We will have flying cars by then....