I think its more speaking of removing the current LWR and replacing them with IR MAWS sensors tbh.
Your point before it was mentioned the jammers were definitely ESA’s was that no other aircrafts had ESA’s at the time, much less miniaturized ESA’s.
You then asked for a source on the claim for the jammers, and changed your tune on the jammers, but remain convinced the MAWS arent ESA’s due to size constraints, which you could’ve checked isnt an issue, seeing as the wing root (where the MAWS are located) are of similar thickness as the wingtip pods.
This is also just ignoring the fact that the size of the wingtip pods clearly isn’t dictated by the antenna size, but by the boxy ESM computer components, which in the pic of the MAWS components, can clearly be seen not to be directly attached to the MAWS antennas, instead seemingly using wired connections.
I should note it was said specifically AESA. PESA had already been on the Mig-31 and Rafale in the 90’s for example, so saying ESA wouldn’t have been right. I don’t even know if Rafale had PESA jammers or not at the time as well, just knew it was not AESA. Just to make a distinction since you had been stating ESA and not AESA which is important to clarify.
Asking for a source on the claim of the jammers doesn’t necessarily mean I cast doubt on the jammers FYI. Anyone asking for a source on a claim doesn’t mean they’re on a particular side. I was already vocal about my doubts of AESA maws.
It is as much a clone of the EFT as the AMX 30 is the leopard. France got what they needed out of both programs, both programs did not continue to meet French needs, they developed their own solutions from what they found useful in each program.
they were there long enough to get the valuable base. as far as I can tell the only major difference is the rafales are also naval aircraft.
its a split in the path more than a clone true. Its just very french to storm out of a joint project only to do basically the same thing and then claim its totally different because its french
France/Dassault had been making deltas for 50 years prior to the Rafale, and the Mirage 4000 which is a delta with moving canards (although not to the extent of Rafale/EFT) already existed prior to the two aircrafts.
Would make a lot more sense to call the Rafale a copy of the M4K and not EFT.
Also should note that the Rafale A prototype for the Eurofighter program had been unveiled and flew before the EAP, so it doesn’t make any sense at all to say the Rafale is a copy of anything.
CAPTOR-E is the superior radar
Typhoon has an equal MAWS
Typhoon has at least equal EW
Typhoon has the better A2G loadout options with PW4s (10) and Brimstones (18) and soon Spear-3 (18) (isnt france planning to buy Spear-3 as well?)
PIRATE is equal or superior to the IRST on the Rafale
EFT has equal or superior sensor fusion with Striker II being the most advanced HMD in service currently.
ASRAAM is superior to MICA IR and both nations use METEOR (with Typhoon able to carry more missiles iirc)
You already admit its the superior airframe, so by that regard, Typhoon is at least equal if not superior in every respect except for range, which the Rafale does beat it on, but other than that. The Rafale is the inferior aircraft.
