-Caveat Lector-
>From http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1818000/1818077.stm
>>>The begged question: Does the selection of the countries for manufacture of the
various parts determine political slant? (Spain: Right Wing, Italy: Left Wing,
e.g.)<<<
}}}>Begin
Wednesday, 13 February, 2002, 22:34 GMT
Q&A: Eurofighter
The Eurofighter is one of the most expensive projects in military history. It has been
dogged by delays ever since it was conceived nearly two decades ago. BBC News
Online looks at what's on offer, and why it has been held up for so long.
Which countries are involved in the project?
The Eurofighter is a joint collaboration between four European nations.
It has been developed by a consortium of companies in the United Kingdom and
Germany, who have led the way, and Italy and Spain, who have played smaller roles.
The fighter plane is in competition with two other rival projects - the US-made Joint
Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, and the French Rafael.
Who's building what?
The UK and Germany have been responsible for most of the construction of the
Eurofighter, with 37% and 30% respectively. Italy and Spain account for 19% and
14%.
British Aerospace has built the nose, the cockpit, canards, inboard flaps and rear tail
with rudder. Rolls-Royce makes the engines.
The centre fuselage has been the responsibility of the European Aeronautic Defence
and Space Company (EADS) at assembly lines in Germany.
EADS sites in Spain have built the fighter's right wing and the leading edge of both
wings.
Alenia of Italy makes the left wing and outboard flaps. The rear fuselage is built
jointly in the UK and Italy.
Why has it taken so long?
The project has been beset by a number of problems since its inception, with critics
attacking it for running over budget, underperforming and taking too long to develop.
Critics accuse the plane of underperforming in trials, particularly with regard to its
dogfight manoeuvrability and stealth capability - charges vigorously rejected by the
manufacturers.
There have also been funding difficulties. Germany's Finance and Defence Ministries
were at loggerheads for years over how to pay for the aircraft.
The row, which delayed securing money to move to full production, was resolved
only in late 1997.
How much will the Eurofighter cost?
The bill for Britain's order of 232 aircraft to replace the RAF's Tornado F3 and Jaguar
has risen over the years from £7bn ($10bn) to £15.9bn ($22.7bn).
Germany will receive 180 aircraft, Italy 121 and Spain 87.
Fours years ago, the bill for the entire project stood at $57bn.
By comparison, Europe's largest industrial project, the Channel Tunnel, cost a mere
$21bn to build.
But at stake, supporters argue, are thousands of jobs in the countries concerned,
which hinge on production of the plane for many years to come.
Will it work?
The manufacturers say the plane will be the world's most advanced fighter aircraft
when it finally takes off.
Only the American F-22 will be superior when it comes on stream, perhaps by 2010,
at more than twice the price.
The Eurofighter is designed as a highly agile multi-role aircraft, capable of ground-
attack as well as its primary air defence role.
Made mostly of carbon fibre composites, it has a top speed of twice the speed of
sound.
State-of-the-art on-board computers and radar, a direct-voice input system for the
pilot and an infra-red search and tracking system are other notable features.
But critics point out that plans were first conceived in 1983, years before the end of
the Cold War and new military realities.
This has led some aviation analysts to suggest the technology will be outdated by the
time the plane becomes operational.
End<{{{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
