UK Defence Forum

A video of the reveal:

Better look at the planform..

Tempest is a great name. Nice of them to keep the "T" and weather phenomena themes continuing.

Does it have a single or twin engines?

Some more images (all credit to Tim Robinson @RAeSTimR):

Timmymagic wrote:Better look at the planform..

Looks like there's less F35/F22 and more Replica in the Tempest DNA, which isnt surprising, I bet the old boys at BAE are happy to see their work being dusted off!

Definately has Replica ancestory. Compare those clipped tails and small engine air intakes of Replica with Tempest

^F-22, Replica, F-35

SKB wrote:Does it have a single or twin engines?

100% a twin. 2 engines in the infographic earlier.

Combat Air Strategy released:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... Lowres.pdf

I wonder if this means the number of F-35's to be bought will decrease and be boosted by a greater number of less expensive Tempests ?

Some details on weaponry...

Caught this on Twitter:

It is a pretty picture

The Hawker Tempest, originally known as the Typhoon II.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest


There was a Royal Navy variant called the Sea Fury.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Sea_Fury

SKB wrote:I wonder if this means the number of F-35's to be bought will decrease and be boosted by a greater number of less expensive Tempests ?

Here you go..

Wow.

SKB wrote:The Hawker Tempest, originally known as the Typhoon II.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest

Thats the Fury with the Centaurus.

Tempest had the Napier Sabre inline engine. It saw service in the latter part of WW2 unlike the Fury.

https://www.world-war-2-planes.com/hawker_tempest.html

Tempest seems to be the love child of Replica and Taranis. There might be a bit of Taranis DNA inside Tempest too as its supposedly capable of unmanned flight

Another planform shot, this time from underneath...can't tell if there is thrust vectoring or not, but pound for a penny there's some sensors in the 'stinger'...

Definite hint of Replica in this shot...

(Photos: @ByRobDavies )

With twin engines, I don't suppose there'll be room for internal weapons bays. But it has huge wings.

SKB wrote:There was a Royal Navy variant called the Sea Fury....

It wasn’t quite as simple as that. The Sea Fury was a navalised version of the RAF Fury, which was ordered in some numbers before being promptly cancelled upon the outbreak of peace in 1945. The Fury is a smaller aircraft than the Hawker Tempest/Typhoon/Tornado family of aircraft although with considerable parts commonality and was a reaction to the German FW-190.

Timmymagic wrote:Thats the Fury with the Centaurus.

Tempest had the Napier Sabre inline engine. It saw service in the latter part of WW2 unlike the Fury.

The top photo is a Bristol Centaurus engined Tempest II, the air-cooled engine was felt to be more suitable for overseas service in the tropics. The Hawker Tempest marks I, V and VI had Napier Sabres. Similarly the RAF Hawker Fury was to be powered by the Sabre (and is possibly one of the most attractive piston engines fighter built in the UK) where the Navy Sea Fury had the Centaurus for ease of maintenance and commonality with the Blackburn Firebrand torpedo-fighter which was coming into service at the same time. It’s worth noting that experimental versions of both the Fury and Tempest flew with the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine as well.

Anyway, back to the 21st Century...

I wasn't expecting any concept work or mock up to be unveiled, so that's a surprise. I have to state though that I'm completely underwhelmed by the Tempest design. The BAE Replica concept from many years ago looked more advanced and sleeker than this. I trust this is just an early idea that will quickly evolve as more and more money is spent on it. I particularly take issue to the outdated cockpit and nose form which looks like something from the 60s - SR-71 etc.

Can't please everyone I spose.

SKB wrote:With twin engines, I don't suppose there'll be room for internal weapons bays. But it has huge wings.

From one of the infographics it has a rather large internal weapons bay. Looked Buccaneer sized...