Germany will develop its own ground attack aircraft. Although this move represents an extremely expensive alternative to those already in development, Berlin has already initiated preliminary contacts with European partners that have made possible the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Tornado. From this possible new consortium, countries (such as Italy and England) that have invested in the F-35 should be excluded.
It is not yet clear whether the Germans intend to develop, exclusively, an unmanned platform, but the fundamental requirement is that it be specifically designed for ground attack. Probably, however, the optimization of the aircraft for air-to-air combat, with a tactical profile not based exclusively on self-defense (as happened for the Tornados).
Germany plans to commission the new low observability bomber within the 2030. Translated means that in addition to the simple rumors, the Germans may already be in an advanced phase of the project. The rumors, at the moment, speak of a possible flying wing platform, with German engineers who would take advantage of the know-how acquired by the Americans with the X-47B and by the European program nEUROn (photo).
The concerns about the German announcement remain. Despite representing the most solid economy in Europe with an industry that has no equal in the old continent, the last experience of Berlin for the realization of an indigenous system dates back to the Second World War. While waiting to know the first specifications of the new platform, the Luftwaffe could ask the government to extend the life of the Tornados currently in service until the 2035.
Under the current plans of the German government, the entire Tornado line should be laid up by 2020.
(photo: Dassault Aviation)
