Eurofighter Typhoon (UK versions) - Technical data and discussion (Part 2)

Let me know if you do, I’m looking for wording like “SEAD” “ELS” “Locate” “Identify” (in the context of ground emissions not just NCTR stuff).

5 Likes

We’ve only put any firm commitment on the LO, when arguably the RS would be more useful (I bet you the RS is more expensive). So my assumption is the LO as a storm shadow replacement.

Irregardless of that, we need them ASAP because we’re getting rid of all our Storm Shadows, on the same day Ukraine announces they want a production license for them.

(Whoever wrote the DIP may genuinely have been a Treasurer with no understanding of anything defence related).

I suspect StormShadow being replace by Stratus LO is still a good idea, and could be due to compatibility reasons with GCAP. No point in having two cruise missiles to fit the same role. Also Stratus LO will be launched from Frigates so cross service use. It just makes more sense.

I don’t disagree, I just think the timeline of gutting them in the next few years, when the Navy has dibs on the first production lot (which means VLS compatible variants and not air-launched ones). Is very much ill-advised.

I’d also suggest we can keep our existing stocks for Typhoon, because whilst I don’t see the reason to integrate them into GCAP, we already have it on Typhoon for no extra cost. F-35 in our service can’t carry any cruise missiles as of yet and SPEAR 3 is only for smaller targets, SPEAR 3 can’t deal with anything we’d need say a BROACH warhead for now. Realistically Typhoon and that utility will be useful for a long time yet, just as we talk of how GR.4 was retired too early we will be saying the same thing about FGR.4.

We should definitely be purchasing both LO and RS. And I’d suggest keeping the existing Stormshadow stockpiles where they are by giving older ones to the current conflict and keeping the newer ones.

Agreed, we haven’t had a dedicated SEAD/DEAD asset since GR4. Typhoon is perfectly place for that role, just look at Eurofighter EK and ECRS Mk.2, clearly we’re all planning new SEAD missions for our Typhoons. Plus RS doesn’t need a stealth launch platform. RS will certainly help stretch the legs of the fleet out to 2040+ as planned.

2 Likes

Speaking of, I have a feeling we have to wait till that regarding Mk.1/ELS news :(

Had Hope on Hensoldt/Indra website sadly nothing clear, just the text you have allready

So stratus is basically a nato kh31

Stratus LO is a newer, longer range storm shadow equivalent but importantly its a clean-sheet design (keep in mind the Storm shadow was based on the form factor of the French Apache missile with British refinements to improve the L/O design).

Stratus RS is yes somewhat of a UK-France KH-31, but Stratus is a heavyweight missile, whereas KH-31 is a lightweight missile. So RS is closer to something like Oniks or BrahMos.

2 Likes

Stratus-RS does feature some upgrades over the Kh-31, it doesn’t need different variants when it could do all in one with the same active radar seeker (anti-air, anti-ship, and anti-SAM) and it should maneuver when being targeted by SAMs.

4 Likes

Using the AGM-88 as a budget ELS

5 Likes

whats the flight time on those spice lol?

You’ve got time to send another salvo is all I will say haha.

1 Like

if we ever get it, the spear should at least be faster

Ah, perfect against US mains in-game then 😛

Can’t wait to be struck by one of these playing my frogfoot at ratings I have no right to be at.

1 Like

Me in air rb having 3 salvos of alarms all heading towards the enemy af in the gr.4. Makes me want rwr esm even more as waiting for the esm to reaquire each spaa every time is PAINFULLY slow.

Wait, you can actually fire them?

I tried once and I had to be within 10km of the AF before I got RWR pings

Most maps you have to get within 10km or so, some (one being the snow map) you can fire from spawn and said alarms can reach from spawn.

from the deck as well, honestly surprised at the sheer range of them.

Only 1 alarm got through lol…

1 Like

@Gunjob Is there a bug report for this already?

you currently need to hardlock targets with ESM to force the ARM seeker onto it