Japanese F-3 and Tempest to share a common engine?
Expect an announcement today confirming co-development of the powerplant for the F-3 fighter by the UK and Japan, and of agreements for the co-development of other systems for F-3 and Tempest. This raises some interesting questions.
If so does that mean that a detailed Tempest requirement has been finalised, and that we know what size the aircraft will be? What performance characteristics have been laid down?
Is this a credibility boosting shot in the arm for Tempest, whose Achilles heel has always seemed to be the flow of funding? Does having Japan on board for the engine and perhaps the ISANKE, and Sweden for the various 'adjuncts' give the programme real momentum and heft?
Will Japanese reports that the F-3 and Tempest will have a common fuselage with common intakes and jetpipes while using Tempest's engine be confirmed?
With the UAE order for 80 Rafales providing a funding boost for Dassault, will France be tempted to try to 'go it alone' on SCAF? If so, where does that leave Germany?
Could this be a step on the way to merging the Tempest and F-3 programmes? Would that give a combined programme a really compelling 'critical mass'?
Things seem to be looking bright for Tempest, not least with the forthcoming appointment of Eurofighter chief executive Herman Claesen as Tempest CEO.....