CGI of a Eurofighter in Kuwaiti colors
Posted on 10/05/2016 3:25:21 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
After twenty years in service, the Eurofighter aircraft may be temporarily or permanently withdrawn from the German market, German newspaper Die Welt wrote.
The final assembly of Eurofighter jets that once were considered a prestige project is likely to be suspended in Germany at least until 2018. The main problem is the lack of contracts and the complexity of the production process.
The components of the aircraft are manufactured at four plants in Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, which makes the production very complicated and expensive.
"It resembles a huge puzzle: all right wings are produced in Spain, the left ones in Italy and parts of the fuselage in Germany, to name just a few examples," the newspaper wrote. "The components are then assembled in four final plants [located in the four countries] to manufacture models ready for the flights."
According to Die Welt, the final assembly of the fighter jets might also be suspended in Spain. However, Italy and the UK are likely to continue the production of the jets in the near future. The Italian authorities have signed an agreement with Kuwait to export 28 Eurofighter jets in 2018. The UK, for its turn, hopes to sign a contract for the supply of the aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
The Eurofighter managers had once hoped for a great order from India, but French Rafale jets were chosen instead. Last year, a total of 41 Eurofighter jets were delivered to various customers. By comparison, Airbus builds more commercial aircraft in one month than the Eurofighter consortium in four locations throughout the year, the newspaper noted.
Read more: https://sputniknews.com/europe/20161004/1045995441/germany-eurofighter-jets.html
CGI of a Eurofighter in Kuwaiti colors
Having worked at companies producing complicated hardware, I can attest to how difficult it is to have two companies working on the project. With each new company the complexity and expense goes up exponentially. The same would be true with nations on the same project only moreso.
In the US the process is made more expensive even for one company because the contract is loaded down with social cronyism. A percentage goes to women owned and disadvantaged suppliers. A percentage goes to crazy environmental regulations; can’t use cadmium plating for example. The list is much longer but you get the idea.
A weapon like the plane in the photo would cost half as much or less without the political elements.
“The Euro Fighter is a project that makes absolutley no sense in todays world “
The article used the phrase “prestige project.” They might as well have said, “Penis size.” Many things government does are for “prestige.” I saw a post office that was all marble, brass and cut glass. Government builds schools that have an atrium with trees and a fountain. (I spent much of my education in temporary buildings. With so much money spent you would think American students would out test those in some third world countries with three classes in one room and a blackboard, but no.)
Trying to sell a 4.5 generation fighter, just when 5th generation is about to proliferate, is a loosing proposition.
If I was a betting man, the only eurocanard I would put my money on, is the Saab Gripen. Just because a relatively cheap jet, designed to be maintained by conscripts, has a business case in third world countries, that wont be facing off against 5 gen adversaries.
Europe is trying to keep it's fighter jet industrial base intact.
Eurofighter killed it.
The only thing worse than a multirole fighter is designed by committee, jobs program fighter.
Eurofighter costs more than an F-22
“jobs program fighter.”
Government is a hammer. Therefore everything looks like a nail. Also, politicians want credit for saving things, therefore they use their hammer to create jobs programs.
The answer to employment problems is to lighten up on regulations. Do away with government funded lawsuits for special classes. Don’t tax those who create employment.
But, then again, that means less government and fewer hammers.
If I was a betting man, the only eurocanard I would put my money on, is the Saab Gripen. Just because a relatively cheap jet, designed to be maintained by conscripts, has a business case in third world countries, that wont be facing off against 5 gen adversaries.
The Gripen is a really nice aircraft but the E and F varients will cost as much as an F-16 . maybe more if there are cost over runs.
Not sure there is a better single engine fighter option for small air forces than an updated F-16 Block 60+, if you can get them
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