The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[IKnowNothing]

Fair. Apologize for the misunderstanding. I agree we won't get an equal share.

Given what you're saying, the ratios of 6th gen to CCA's, the fact that given their planned role in it IF Airbus leaves FCAS it results in both FCAS and GCAP being essentially pure fighter projects that don't address the system of system/ CCA aspect....

Maybe the ambitious industrial play for Canada is an unequal share in what would be positioned as the sole / go to CCA solution for all of Europe. @ 3:1 vs manned 6th gen That's a lot of landing gear, structural members, and assembly work.

 

[suffolkowner]

Spain is stuck between a rock and a hard place, where they need the F-35B to replace their aging Harrier fleets aboard their amphibious vessels, but they don’t want to buy an American aircraft. They could retrofit drones to them but it’s nowhere near the same capability.



Portugal has flip flopped on the F-35 being considered for them or not, mostly down to political pressure given the behaviour of the US lately. They don’t take their defence especially seriously like Spain, so they aren’t the ideal benchmark to look at.

I think this spat with the US is probably a way for Spain to exit the naval fighters game. They can stay with drones and helos.

Rafale an option for Spain?

 

[Prairie canuck]

There's a line between hopeless and rational.

Name one country thats abandoned its F35 order in the last year. Denmark actually ordered more.

I am by no means advocating for replacing the F35. Quite the contrary as I have no doubts that at present and for some time in the future it is the only option that makes sense. However it does not mean we should not search for its replacement and seek other like minded people to see if as a group we can build our own.

 

[ytz]

Given what you're saying, the ratios of 6th gen to CCA's, the fact that given their planned role in it IF Airbus leaves FCAS it results in both FCAS and GCAP being essentially pure fighter projects that don't address the system of system/ CCA aspect....

Maybe the ambitious industrial play for Canada is an unequal share in what would be positioned as the sole / go to CCA solution for all of Europe. @ 3:1 vs manned 6th gen That's a lot of landing gear, structural members, and assembly work.

Now you're thinking.....

CCAs are more autonomous aircraft are supposed to be $40-80M. And they are supposed to be the bulk of the force. They also don't need to be part of the actual program directly. CCAs should be plug and play if they are built using open standards. There's even theories that they wouldn't be controlled by fighter pilots but by ABMs on the AEWC aircraft. We don't need to join any 6th gen consortium to build CCAs. Just look at what the Aussies have accomplished with the homegrown Wedgetail and Ghost Bat:

 

[ytz]

Rafale an option for Spain?

Who knows. But on the naval side maybe they just give up fighters. The F-35B was a huge gift to countries like Spain and Italy. Enabled smaller countries with a flat top to put fighters to sea and become carrier powers. If they don't buy the F-35B, there's nothing else that can do the job.