topman wrote: ↑05 Sep 2022, 21:38
I wouldn't say typhoon is much bigger than tornado. They are both a similar size.
Evening Topman, yep of comparable like by like size.
But they are radically different aircraft, Tornado was originally envisioned as a multi role aircraft, but German insistence on an aircraft as small as possible effectively constrained the design to a low level, comparatively short range, low level specialist.
The engine ended up being a specialised and rather underpowered low level optimised turbofan and the radar virtually AG dedicated, with only simple AA modes available. You would be in deep sh*t indeed if you found yourself actually forced to use it in AA mode.
Basically a NATO central front dedicated strike platform..
Net result, it was only Cold War orders that saved it's bacon!
The multi role Tornado offered to Japan in the late 1980's, based on a strengthened F3 airframe with GE engines (I think) and Blue Vixen Radar would have been the aircraft the MRCA should have been from the very start, a European Strike Eagle of sorts.
It could have potentially sold very well and it would have been a fantastic aircraft for the RAF, alas it was not to be....
The Germans insisted on a an smaller design for what turned into Eurofighter, but the UK stuck to it's guns and insisted on an airframe capable of no holds barred air superiority, with excess power, good internal fuel and a fuselage long enough for four underslung AMRAAM.
If the Germans had their way, Typhoon would probably have looked more like a slightly larger, twin engine Gripen and sales probably dismal....