Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

In another thread it was mentioned that the Raptor's 600-gallon tanks are based on the design used on the Israeli F-16s vs those used on the Eagle. I am wondering why that is. Is the F-16's a better design it being newer? Is the pylon shorter and it's a clearance issue? Are there any plans to develope shoulder stations for it like the F-15 has that they can launch missiles from (as opposed to just carrying them)? Does anybody know if they will do the same on the F-35? It just seems those shoulder stations are so handy that it would be a shame to intentionaly leave them off.

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Please read the sticky regarding classified info.

Even on a friggin' GAS tank? And there are a lot of future mods out there that aren't classified. AESAs for the Strike Eagles come to mind. Obviously I'm not going to try to pressure someone into revealing classifed info. but the questions I asked on the tanks. . .well it seems hard to believe something that mundane would be considered classified.

sferrin,

Asking whether or not the missiles and tanks can be mounted together is much different than asking if the weapon system can be operated while mounted together. That is what I believe falconfixer860261 is getting at.

--Check

Yeah but it's not like it's never been done before. Maybe they just figure putting rails and wiring on a jettisonable pylon is not necessary from a cost/benefit standpoint. That's not exactly news either. My point is that in this case I doubt we're treading on a classifed area and am guessing it something along the lines of what I've already mentioned. I just don't know which one it is Smile

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

falconfixer860261 wrote:

Please read the sticky regarding classified info. Future mods and capabilities fall under sensitive category.

Pardon me, I have visited the aforementioned sticky thread and went thru' the suggested section for further reading in the reference made, I couldn't find the advice; future mods and capabilities fall under sensitive category.

Perhaps I was not reading the correct section?

sferrin wrote:

Even on a friggin' GAS tank? And there are a lot of future mods out there that aren't classified. AESAs for the Strike Eagles come to mind. Obviously I'm not going to try to pressure someone into revealing classifed info. but the questions I asked on the tanks. . .well it seems hard to believe something that mundane would be considered classified.

Not the tanks - the question about developing shoulder stations to fire missles from....

I'm just trying to watch out for all of you U.S. citizens and those in U.S. government service. You do not want the OSI, NIS, or FBI showing up at your door. Even if they determine you are innocent you don't want to go through that. I don't know how this would work internationally but if your country is an ally with the U.S. I'm sure there are agreements in place. Weapons, capabilities, and performance are two really hot items in any developing program. Remember - the FBI will show up and then tell you how they interpreted the security law. I've had friends who innocently speculated or passed on what they thought was public info and it was a nightmare for them.

Just trying to save you from some real hassle. But also know that I am under a lifetime requirement to inform the appropriate authorities anytime I become aware of sensitive or classified info being discussed or divulged about the program I was involved in (or any other for that matter). If I don't do so I can go to jail.

falconfixer860261 wrote:

But also know that I am under a lifetime requirement to inform the appropriate authorities anytime I become aware of sensitive or classified info being discussed or divulged about the program I was involved in (or any other for that matter). If I don't do so I can go to jail.

Granted, I'm just a longtime lurker, but all I have to say to this is OMG, lighten up.

AJAX wrote:

falconfixer860261 wrote:

But also know that I am under a lifetime requirement to inform the appropriate authorities anytime I become aware of sensitive or classified info being discussed or divulged about the program I was involved in (or any other for that matter). If I don't do so I can go to jail.

Granted, I'm just a longtime lurker, but all I have to say to this is OMG, lighten up.

I'd have to agree. If a civi could get in hot water just for speculating I'd have been in the clink years ago.

Back to the fueltank issue...
My guess: the F/A-22 is largely a Lockheed design as is the F-16. So for an external tank system they will look inside the Lockheed (GD) shop.

Whatever guys. Do what you want. You have to realize that the site is monitored and if you speculate on something, and then you are right, you have just disclosed classified info and may have to explain yourself to the proper authorities. It doesn't matter if you are a civilian or not - especially when you take into account the anti-terrorism laws passed after 9-11. Speculation has harmed many programs over the years.

So how is it all those aviation journalists were yapping about stealth fighters before the F-117 was shown to the public and they never got in trouble? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ but seriously, speculate and if you happen to be correct you get in trouble? You've gotta be sh*tting me.

sferrin wrote:

So how is it all those aviation journalists were yapping about stealth fighters before the F-117 was shown to the public and they never got in trouble? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ but seriously, speculate and if you happen to be correct you get in trouble? You've gotta be sh*tting me.

I guess we live in more of a police state than I thought....I better stop thinking for myself. Shocked

AJAX wrote:

sferrin wrote:

So how is it all those aviation journalists were yapping about stealth fighters before the F-117 was shown to the public and they never got in trouble? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ but seriously, speculate and if you happen to be correct you get in trouble? You've gotta be sh*tting me.

I guess we live in more of a police state than I thought....I better stop thinking for myself. Shocked

This board probably isn't that different than rec.aviation.military (have noticed some of the same people) or any other military forum and I think it comes down to two things. 1. As civies we don't know sh*t. Granted we can read a lot and talk to people and build a picture but it's still mostly theoretical. 2. The mere act of saying the word doesn't mean anything. Say I think a good idea for a bunker buster would be to take one of those old 155mm nuke rounds and mount it backwards in the tail end of a penetrating warhead and then stick it on the front end of a Pegasus to get some REAL velocity. BIG DEAL. It's not as though it's never been thought of before. And merely voicing an idea isn't going to give away any secrets. That would be as absurd as arresting Sci-fi writers because their spaceships have lasers on them.

Now if I started claiming I knew anything about U-2 comm gear that would be a WHOLE 'nother matter. I wouldn't even speculate about that sh*t because I know someone involved in that.

Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Question about F/A-22's external tanks.