Eurofighter can supercruise at Mach 1.5 : Official site

Check this out :

Der hohe Leistungsüberschuss der EJ 200-Triebwerke ermöglicht eine, für den Luftfernkampf in großer Höhe und im Überschallbereich wichtige, hohe Beschleunigung. Auch ohne Nachbrenner-Einsatz ist ein Marschflug mit ca. Mach 1,5 möglich (Supercruise).

Link (click on Luftüberlegenheitsrolle) >> www.eurofighter.com...

Some might find this useful >> translate.google.com...

So the Eurofighter can now "supercruise" as per USAF definitions as well

Although the term "supercruise" in it's purest sense means to cruise supersonically, the US Air Force classifies supercruise as the ability to cruise at or beyond Mach 1.5

- source : intelgurl ( link )

However the site is silent about the payload and configuration required to achieve this kind of performance.

I would tend to doubt that the Eurofighter could sustain M1.5 with a weapons load.

Originally posted by BlueRaja
I would tend to doubt that the Eurofighter could sustain M1.5 with a weapons load.

I'd agree, this is almost certainly a figure attained without any weapons.


Anyway, who cares how the USAF defines 'supercruise' - they've been moving the goalposts around for some time now to try and make sure the F-22 is the only thing capable of it.

Originally posted by Stealth Spy

So the Eurofighter can now "supercruise" as per USAF definitions as well

I thought this was a well known thing? Its been supercruise capable since the mid 1990s, as part of the program requirements, and this has been posted all over the place.

Much is currently being made about supercruise, that is the ability to cruise supersonically without the use of reheat (afterburn) for extended periods of time. Although never stated explicitly (as for example with the U.S. F-22) the Typhoon is capable of and has demonstrated such an ability since early in its flight program according to all the Eurofighter partnets. Initial comments indicated that, with a typical air to air combat load the aircraft was capable of cruising at M1.2 at altitude (11000m/36000ft) without reheat and for extended periods. Later information appeared to suggest this figure had increased to M1.3. However even more recently EADS have stated a maximum upper limit of M1.5 is possible although the configuration of the aircraft is not stated for this scenario (an essential factor in determining how useful such a facility is). The ability to maintain transonic and supersonic flight regimes without resorting to the use of reheat is achieved mainly thanks to the advanced materials and design of the EJ200. For times when a quick sprint is required the Typhoon can employ reheat with an upper (design) limit of Mach 2.0.

www.eurofighter-typhoon.co.uk...

So Mach 1.3 with a usable weapons load, Mach 1.5 maximum attainable.

To me super cruise means the ability to break the sound barrier an maintain supersonic speed in level flight without using afterburners. Many planes can cruise supersonically without afterburners but do require them to break the sound barrier. This isn't super cruise.

Not to be typical but the F-22 can sustain super-cruise faster than Mach 1.5 with a weapon payload though no hard figures are available.

[edit on 7-2-2007 by WestPoint23]

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Not to be typical but the F-22 can sustain super-cruise faster than Mach 1.5 with a weapon payload though no hard figures are available.

[edit on 7-2-2007 by WestPoint23]

The ATF requirements were 1.5 were they not?


It seems the F-22 has exceeded that quite easily. Somewhere north of M1.7 IIRC.

Originally posted by dragon72
To me super cruise means the ability to break the sound barrier an maintain supersonic speed in level flight without using afterburners. Many planes can cruise supersonically without afterburners but do require them to break the sound barrier. This isn't super cruise.

Who says the Typhoon needs burners to exceed the sound barrier first? Aren't you making an assumption?

The Typhoon can attain this speed with 4 AMRAAM and two ASRAAM in situ, but nothing else, no tanks, no pods, and certainly no bombs. Just like the F-22 then

Waynos the F-22 carries eight missiles. As well as bombs (in place of missiles) while still being able to super-cruise. Some fighters might not need AB to break through the transonic region but it takes longer to do it with mil power. Also, how long can the Typhoon super-cruise (at any speed above Mach 1) for?

[edit on 7-2-2007 by WestPoint23]

What, What??
Many in China said that Supercruise Typhoon made merely is done by inertia of supersonic that using reheater, which means using reheater to THRUST in supersonic before the typoon close the reheat to do supercruise. I have no idea what is true, also prey you are willing to teach me.

[edit on 8-2-2007 by emile]

...and...and...and...my Mum's vacuum cleaner is a Dyson and my Dad could whip your Dad's butt with both arms and legs tied behind his back

I love these threads.

Bottom line is always going to be how effectively any of this hardware stands up against an adequately equipped enemy in a real fighting scenario.
What it does on paper or in controlled simulation / exercise conditions means absolutely nothing if they start getting blown out of the sky by sheer overwhelming numbers or an enemy who doesn't play the same way

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Also, how long can the Typhoon super-cruise (at any speed above Mach 1) for?

As long as it has fuel for!


That kind of info isn't readily available for the F-22, I'd expect the EF to be something similar, if not more obscure - there are less sites devoted to the Typhoon.


But, I would expect it to be a shorter distance and time, simply because the Typhoon was conceptualised as a fighter for A2A over Europe in the event of the cold war turning hot.

Ultra long range would not have been a massive priority.



With the F-22 having to ferry from the states (as would be envisaged when the ATF requirements were drawn up), a bigger longer ranged aircraft was a necessity.

Excellent website, all you need to know about the Typhoon:

The Typhoon is second best only to the F-22.

No other planes in NATO at the moment come close!

www.eurofighter-typhoon.co.uk...

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Waynos the F-22 carries eight missiles.

As well as bombs (in place of missiles) while still being able to super-cruise.

That's because of the internal weapons bays. If the F-22 had to use externals like all the good other planes it'd be hobbled too. But of course supercruise wasn't nearly as important to the Typhoon as it was the Raptor. The Raptor had to operate across the US (and other countries if they bought it), the Eurofighter just needed to whiz around Europe. Anyway...

Originally posted by Britguy
...and...and...and...my Mum's vacuum cleaner is a Dyson and my Dad could whip your Dad's butt with both arms and legs tied behind his back

Couldn't have said it better myself.