We didn't even roll it out for testing at VX squadrons until like 2018, and it's biggest claim to infamy is just being on the R&D line for like 25 years.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

25 years that's for chumps. FCAS is probably going to take at least 2040 to be ready. Airbus got the contract in 2017, that's 23 years to 2040, and no of course it won't be on schedule.

Regarding the relative tech levels, though, Europe as a whole is simply not at the same schedule as the US. The F35 is replacing F16, F18, Harriers, from the 70s-80s, (which of course got upgrades), while the first Typhoon entered service in 2006.