Jets compete to replace Germany’s Tornado

Germany is to make a decision on replacing its 85-strong fleet of ageing
Tornado jets, with four designs competing for the lucrative contract


TORNADO: Strike/reconnaissance aircraft to be phased out from 2025
Manufacturer Panavia Aircraft
Length 16.7m
Powerplant
2 x Turbo-Union RB199 turbofans, maximum thrust 72kN each


COMPETING DESIGNS

TYPHOON 
Germany already has 128 jets in service
Manufacturer Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug
Length 16m
Powerplant: 2 × Eurojet EJ200 turbofans, 90kN each

F-35A LIGHTNING II
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
Length: 15.7m 
Powerplant
Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan, 191kN

F/A-18E/F SUPER HORNET
Manufacturer Boeing (McDonnell Douglas)
Length 18.3m
Powerplant: 2 × GE F414 turbofans, 98kN each

F-15E STRIKE EAGLE 
Manufacturer: Boeing (McDonnell Douglas)
Length: 19.4m
Powerplant: 2 x P&W F100 turbofans, 129kN each


COMPARISON Tornado Typhoon F-35A F/A-18E/F F-15E
Speed (Mach)	Payload (kg)	Internal fuel (kg)
1.3		9,000		5,100
2.0		7,500		5,000
1.6		8,160		8,390
1.8		8,050		6,530
2.5		10,400		10,560

New jets will need to be capable of carrying U.S. nuclear warheads as part of shared NATO defence policy – role currently performed by Tornado. Eurofighter Typhoon is not officially certified by U.S. to carry such weapons


Sources: Aviation Week, Financial Times, Global Security, RAF, USAF 
© GRAPHIC NEWS