Forum: Technology

A must-read the from AFM's John A. Tirpak on the technologies that might power the next U.S. fighter. Some are likely to find its way into the F-35 and F-22, such as the F-35's proposed high power laser.

Quote:

Within the next few years, we will begin work on the sixth generation [fighter] capabilities necessary for future air dominance.” The Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, and the USAF Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, issued that statement in an April 13 Washington Post article.

Read the article here: http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Magazi ... ghter.aspx

B. Bolsøy
Oslo

F-16.net Sponsor

Is taillessness the wave of the future? Not only are both of those depicted 6th generation concepts tailless, but alot of UCAVs are, too. I'm wondering how they would make up for the lack of a tail? Perhaps active aeroelasticity, better FLCS and TVC?

How long has it now been since we first heard military eggheads touting the upcoming debut of the battlefeild laser system? Seems to me to be about as promising and realistic as the flying car which too has been touted as being 'just around the corner' for decades, perhaps over half a century now.
Sure we have test lasers and targeting lasers but lasers on a tactical fighter aircraft that are designed to be used as a death ray weapon are about as believable as the flying car being just around the next corner.

High-powered lasers on a combat aircraft. I'm suddenly having flashbacks to "Real Genius". Laughing

Enthusiast Joined: Apr 23, 2009 - 08:44 AM Posts: 97

energo wrote:

A must-read the from AFM's John A. Tirpak on the technologies that might power the next U.S. fighter. Some are likely to find its way into the F-35 and F-22, such as the F-35's proposed high power laser.

B. Bolsøy
Oslo

when I attended the briefing in Apr (Heinz/Harvey) this year it was openly cited that its sensor suite was regarded as a weapons system in its own right.

Forum: Technology

The Sixth Generation Fighter