Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Last edited by psychmike on Sep 12, 2010 - 04:19 AM; edited 1 time in total

It's well-known that Boeing is offering up the Silent Eagle but it seems they are also working on a stealth-modified F/A-18 which would feature: 1) Conformal fuel tanks similar to those on some export Vipers; 2) A chin-mounted optical sensor; 3) A centre-line weapons pod capable of carrying 2 SDBs and 2 AMRAAMs; and 4) A distributed missile warning and targeting system.

There was a brief article in a print mag but I don't recall which one. This is all I could find on the internet:

www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/farnborou ... kBlogPage%

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psychmike,

Can't provide anything in the link dept., but even if Boeing offers the CFT, upgraded engines, internal IRST and distributed MAWS+ for the next gen Super Hornet (not a bad offering, imho), perhaps next they will soon be offering the very first tactical airframe equipped ATDIRCM upgrade to their airframes?!?

I'm sure we'll hear it first on F-16.net if/when it comes Smile

Cheers-

psychmike wrote:

It's well-known that Boeing is offering up the Silent Eagle but it seems they are also working on a stealth-modified F/A-18 which would feature: 1) Conformal fuel tanks similar to those on some export Vipers; 2) A chin-mounted optical sensor; 3) A centre-line weapons pod capable of carrying 2 SDBs and 2 AMRAAMs; and 4) A distributed missile warning and targeting system.

There was a brief article in a print mag but I don't recall which one. This is all I could find on the internet:

www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/farnborou ... kBlogPage%

Psychmike,

Here is another (CG) image of the new "Super" Hornet if you're interested.

http://www.combataircraft.net/photo/ima ... et-new.jpg

Personally, if I had to choose between the the Silent Eagle and this new "Super" Hornet, I'd choose the SE. I'm sure this proposed "Super" Hornet may appeal to some customers though, especially current Hornet operators who don't want or can't afford newer generation aircraft.

Thanks Scorpion1alpha! It's incredible that they can cram 2 AMRAAMS and 2 SDBs into that centreline pod.

I'm surprised they can justify the cost of two F414's, especially a new version, against a single F135.

madrat wrote:

I'm surprised they can justify the cost of two F414's, especially a new version, against a single F135.

It would indeed be surprising to many that the long-term cost for let's say 30x USN/USMC Super Hornet's engines (60x F414) procured per year, would likely cost less than 30 USN/USMC F-35 engines (30x F135).

madrat wrote:

I'm surprised they can justify the cost of two F414's, especially a new version, against a single F135.

If one of the F414 fails, you don't lose the aircraft.

It will be interesting to see what the F135 costs once production ramps up. By way of comparison I believe F414s, which still have room for growth, cost around 4 million each.

One wonders what the new lower specific fuel consumption engines, CFT's, and weapons pod do to range, performance, and signature? In any case I thought this E/F was aimed at export to India?

I wonder if Boeing could adapt the weapons pod to fit on the wing stations of the Silent Eagle (separation testing notwithstanding). Keeping the CFTs full of gas while being able to carry 4 AMRAAMs and 4 SDBs in a stealthy configuration would be potent.

That's an interesting concept, psy.. maybe one under the center too? For 10 + 2 loadout? Anyway, you've got me thinking if the guts of a future NGJ could be mounted within? Sensors and ATDIRCM?? That would seem to deconstruct a notion that only one certain game-changing platform can be relevant in the future, thus making everything else inferior, uncool and passé.

Whatever pod goes under the Silent Hornet should be compatible on other aircraft, otherwise it seems like a colossal waste of effort.

The link isn't working for me, any idea what capacity is for the CFT's?

madrat wrote:

Whatever pod goes under the Silent Hornet should be compatible on other aircraft, otherwise it seems like a colossal waste of effort.

The link isn't working for me, any idea what capacity is for the CFT's?

I don't know, but Boeing claims the CFT and Stealthpod give it a 10% range boost over a similar mission profile with the 3 external tanks.

bjr1028 wrote:

madrat wrote:

Whatever pod goes under the Silent Hornet should be compatible on other aircraft, otherwise it seems like a colossal waste of effort.

The link isn't working for me, any idea what capacity is for the CFT's?

I don't know, but Boeing claims the CFT and Stealthpod give it a 10% range boost over a similar mission profile with the 3 external tanks.

I believe the range difference is due to not needing the additional external stores pylon and their drag.

Anyone see a chance that these proposed upgrades will be applied to existing US Navy Super Hornets?

My gut feel on that, disco, would be a negative, as long as USN will require to upgrade and extend life service of required number of legacy hornets, as well as stay the course on F-35C procurement. To do all 3 especially while working indefinitely with budgets containing reduced buying power, would be a magic trick - I just don't see how it could be done. It's just the way USAF/USN doctrine does business - even when operating under a current $520 billion base defense budget. I.e., many frontline units don't come equipped with the best available, lower priority upgrades and actual systems due to budget constraints.

Now if USN concludes as unworthy, or substantially cuts back on SLEP and/or F-35C procurement, then one could see budgets freed up, both for more flexible mid-term Super modernizations increasing their strategic relevance in the mid-term and for even new-build procurement of said next gen Supers. imho, these sorts of broader, updated policy decisions could be initiated starting by FY12.

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

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