phil hunt wrote:

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 13:14:32 -0600, Scott Ferrin wrote:
[regarding the F-35]
Weight and apparently they think the big wing isn't necessary. Weight
is the main issue for the STOVL version.

That makes sense.

To be specific, the navy version has the most fuel and is thus the heaviest
version, but it needs a larger wing (adding weight again) to make a carrier
approach at a sufficiently slow speed. The extra weight naturally decreases
performance in other areas, as well as boosting the cost and complexity (it
folds). If you don't need it, why pay for it or haul it around? Some countries
(e.g., Australia) may well want/require the extra range, but ideally would prefer
to have the larger wing in a non-folding version. Since they'd likely have to
foot the bill for the development and production of that all by themselves, it's
unlikely to happen.

You have to keep stealth in mind. The Typhoon likely wouldn't get to
USE it's superior manueverability (assuming it will have it).

If the F-35 is using its radar, the Typhoon will probably be able to
detect it. If neither plane is using radar, there is no advantage to
stealth.

It also assumes that the a/c aren't getting any info from offboard sensors, which
is increasingly unlikely. Stealth matters, especially for BVR. Depending on the
particular situation, it may or may not be more important than other factors. In
the situation you describe above, it would matter a lot.

Guy