PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - UK unveils new next generation fighter jet, the 'Tempest'
Old 2nd Aug 2018, 16:05
  #124 (permalink)  
ORAC
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Peripatetic
Posts: 17,452
Received 1,612 Likes on 737 Posts
I think the UK is reverting to what it wanted as an F-3 replacement - a long range interceptor, not a dogfighter.

The Typhoon was originally only planned to replace the Wattisham/Germany based F-4s in the dogfight role against the Mig-29 plus the Jaguar in the day fighter role. The F-3 replacement was supposed to be a two seat interceptor suitable for long range CAP to the north against Russian bombers and for oceanic fleet defence in the SACEUR role. The cut backs and demise of the F-4/Jag left a paid for airframe in search of a role.

In that respect, if you look as the progression from the F-4 to the F-3 to the XX, then yes - a 6th generation F-4 is exactly what the RAF is after.
ORAC is offline