The Eurofighter Typhoon is a four-plus-generation multirole fighter conceived and designed in the early 1980s and introduced into operational service in 2003. The jet itself has a reduced RCS, an AESA radar, internal forward looking IRST, and other passive detection systems that are coupled through sensor fusion. In a combat configuration, the targeting pod, external tanks, and weapons are all carried externally, affecting range, RCS, maximum G, sustained G, and maneuverability.
Full-rate production cost: $119 million.[33]
The F-15K Strike Eagle is a four-plus-generation multirole fighter conceived, designed, and initially fielded in the 1980s. This version of the jet is built for (and largely by) South Korea, offers no stealth or reduced RCS, and has an AESA radar and an IRST passive detection system. In a combat configuration, the targeting pod, fuel tanks, and weapons are all carried externally, affecting range, RCS, maximum G, sustained G, and maneuverability.
Full-rate production cost: $108 million.[34]
The Rafale B is a four-plus-generation multirole fighter conceived in the 1970s, designed in the 1980s, and initially fielded in the mid-2000s. The jet itself has a reduced RCS and infrared signature. It has been retrofitted with an AESA radar and possesses an internal IRST and other passive detection systems that are coupled through data/sensor fusion. In a combat configuration, the targeting pod, external tanks, and weapons are all carried externally, affecting range, RCS, maximum G, sustained G, and maneuverability.
Full-rate production cost: $98 million.[35]
The F-18E Super Hornet Block II is a four-plus-generation multirole fighter based on a design initially conceived in the mid-1990s. The refined aspects of the Block II were designed and fielded in the mid-to-late 2000s and include an AESA radar but no stealth or reduced RCS. In a combat configuration, the targeting pod, external tanks, and weapons are all carried externally, affecting range, RCS, maximum G, sustained G, and maneuverability.
Full-rate production cost: $78 million.
The JAS-29C Gripen is a fourth-generation multirole fighter conceived in 1979, designed in the 1980s, and initially fielded in the late 1990s. The jet has a pulse-Doppler radar and offers no stealth or reduced RCS. In a combat configuration, the targeting pod, external tanks, and weapons are all carried externally, affecting range, RCS, maximum G, sustained G, and maneuverability.
Full-rate production cost: $69 million.[36]
[33] Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, “Haushaltsausschuss billigt Bundeswehrprojekte,” June 17, 2009. Converted to 2014 U.S. dollars.
[34] Aerospaceweb.org, “McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Eagle Fighter Bomber,” last modified March 17, 2012,
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/bomber/f15e/ (accessed July 13, 2016).
[35] Projet de loi de finances pour 2014 : Défense : équipement des forces et excellence technologique des industries de défense [Finance Bill 2014—Defense: Equipment Forces and Technological Excellence of the Defense Industry], French Senate Legislative Report No. 158, November 21, 2013,
http://www.senat.fr/rap/a13-158-8/a13-158-8.html (accessed July 13, 2016). Unit cost (excluding development costs) of €74M 2013 for the Rafale B (110 aircraft); €68.8M 2013 for the Rafale C (118 aircraft); and €79M 2011 for the Rafale M (58 aircraft). Converted to 2014 U.S. dollars.
[36] News release, “Stark milstolpe av Gripenprojektet” [Strong milestone by the Gripen project], Mynewsdesk, November 28, 2006,
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/forsvarets ... tet-258602 (accessed July 14, 2016). Converted to 2014 U.S. dollars.
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