The perfect Typhoon

I am thinking about what the performance characteristics of a tranch 3 typhoon would look like, if the potential of the airplane is really exploited. Some key technologies are going to be integrated such as the CAESAR (Captor-E) ASEAR radar and the MBDA meteor missile. I hope the navalization of the Typhoon is going to kick off with the UK and Italy leading the way. This could very well happen, if the F-35 keeps increasing in cost and the performance figures don't merit the price. This is already the case. So where would this lead in terms of a tranch 3 Typhoon?

1. Engine performance.

The current Engine E200 generates a dry thrust of 60 kN and 90 kN with afterburners. "The EJ200 has been designed with inherent growth potential up to 15%. Enhancements in the compression system and latest innovations in core engine technology could deliver up to 30%." Assuming that this potential is used, then the resulting figures are these:

 78 kN dry thrust 

117 kN with afterburners;

1000 Kg weight

2. Airframe performance

Thrust-to-weight ratio:

Maximum = 2.17

Normal = 1.53

Minimum = 1.01

The Typhoon would have a thrust to weight ratio slightly above 1 even with a full weapons load. Those are stunning figures to say the least. This means that the aircraft would be competitive with the best US and Russian air-superiority fighters even if it is carrying bombs to the max.

The additional thrust would mean that the supercruise speed would be increased considerably. Probably into the order of around 1.4 Mach in the air superiority role. The top speed Mach 2,35 and climb rate 315 m/s would be boosted to an even higher level. No other airplane gets close to these figures.

Wing load:

Minimum = 220 kg/m²
Normal = 310 kg/m²
Maximum = 470 kg/m²

These figures are virtually unchanged. The thrust vectoring nozzle adds little weight to the aircraft. This is better than the current F-22. Given that the current Typhoon already is the better dogfighter, these figures indicate that  the tranch 3 typhoon could be in a whole different class. 

Thrust vectoring:

This will increase the low speed maneuverability. In terms of airframe performance, nothing would come close, no raptor and no Rafale, nothing!

2. Sensor Performance

Radar: Captor-E or CAESAR. 

This has been agreed upon and will be a high performance ASEA radar. It will have a low-probability-of-intercept modus. A high speed data link will transfer the acquired information to friendly aircraft. I will be capable of being used for radar jamming, in particular the radar of enemy missiles. It will be employable as part of a bistatic radar, which comprises a transmitter and receiver which are separated by a distance that is comparable to the expected target distance. This will enable Typhoons in tandem to detect aircraft with stealth designs. Finally, the swash plate architecture will mean that the field of view of the radar is going to be large.

Infrared: IRST = PIRATE

This is a high performance infrared search and tracking system. It can detect enemy aircraft at a distance of around 50 to 80 Km. Passive detection beyond visual range is reality today.

Defensive Aids Sub-System: Praetorian

Praetorian is a suite of devices for detecting enemy missiles and producing countermeasures. It includes:

1. Laser warners
2. Flare Dispenser
3. Chaff Dispenser
4. Rocket warners
5. ESM/ECM-Pods
6. Towed decoy

3. Effector Performance:

Short range infrared guided missiles:

1. AIM-132 ASRAAM

2. IRIS-T

Long range radar guided missiles:

1. Aim-120 AMRAAM

2. MBDA Meteor

Air-to-Surface-Missiles:

1. Storm Shadow (cruise missile)

2. TAURUS KEPD 350 (cruise missile)

3. AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

4. ALARM (anti radiation missile)

5. Brimstone (anti-tank missile)

Bombs:

1. Paveway I/II/III/IV precision guided bombs

2. JDAM ( Joint Direct Attack Munition)
3. HOPE/HOSBO (High precision glide bomb)

In particular, the new radar Captor-E and the new long range missile MBDA meteor are going to boost the performance of the Typhoon in BVR combat. The added thrust will increase the top speed and service ceiling, turning the Typhoon into a package with comparable performance with the F-22. In terms of within visual performance, the Typhoon is going to be in a different class than the F-22.

In terms of air-to-ground capabilities, the Typhoon is going to offer a wide range of weapons and capabilities, turning the aircraft into a true multirole aircraft.