The story as it ran in the Aero-News email letter this morning:

UK Eurofighter Gets The Ax
One-Third Cut In British Defense Spending Puts Warplane On
Hiatus


It's late, over budget and now, out
of date. The British procurement of the so-called Eurofighter is
over.


The Eurofighter -- Britain's version is called the Typhoon --
"is a dead duck. Unfortunately we are stuck with it, but there is
no way this Government is going to buy any more. It's expensive and
obsolete."


That word came from a senior Defense Ministry official quoted in
the London Daily Telegraph. British military leaders apparently
agreed with the assessment, but only after being assured the
savings would be spent on UCAVs, smart missiles and other high-tech
weapons systems.


Two phases of the Typhoon deployment have already been carried
out. So far, 144 aircraft have been delivered. The first 55 --
air-combat only -- were six years late. The second batch of 89
aircraft, which have ground-attack capabilities, has yet to be
delivered.


All Eurofighters are now grounded because of engine
problems.


There are even questions about the need for a Eurofighter fleet.
Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the former Chief of the Defence Staff
who retired earlier in the year, was skeptical of the need for more
Eurofighters. He asked in an interview with the Telegraph, "Do we
need to have 232 fighters in the modern context?" His point is
this: UCAVs -- unmanned combat aerial vehicles -- will star
replacing manned aircraft within 20 years. That's just a few years
after the final batch of Eurofighters are due to enter service.
FMI: www.eurofighter.com


For the WHOLE story, go to
http://www.aero-news.net/news/milita...48b7&Dynamic=1

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com