Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

I haven't seen this design concept discussed here before. And I was unsure whether is better fit in this forum or the one for X Planes. But I suppose it could kinda go in either, being it really isn't yet more than a couple of artist renderings.

Nonetheless, just looking at those two images, one could infer a number of things. With the degree of sweep in those wings, as well as the overall size of the wings, such an aircraft should possess great agility and have the ability to go fast. Without any tail planes, it would have to have TVC, though those drawings don't seem conducive to 3D TVC. The design looks very stealthy. And it looks like it would be large enough to accommodate a decent weapons pay load and sophisticated systems. And something about the design just makes it look just simple enough so as to not cost $200 million each, meaning we might be able to buy more than a squadron's worth of them.

Laughing

That said, beyond that, it is hard to infer much else. We don't even know if this is what the actual prototype would look like. But it is sufficient I suppose to at least start the discussion, when considering Boeing is trying to sell this idea to the Navy as an F-18 Super Hornet replacement, starting in about 10-15 years. And evidently the Navy is at least somewhat interested. The first flight of the PAK-FA prototype might make them even more interested.

Anyone heard any juicy rumors about what sort of performance capabilities this thing might be able to attain? Boeing is apparently referring to the concept as a "6th Generation" design, which goes beyond the current levels of stealth and actually takes it into new areas such as "visual stealth". It would also apparently have the option of being manned or unmanned. Quite interesting stuff. With the F-22 program being capped at 187 and with no manned fighter other than the F-35 on the horizon, I am kind of glad to see that someone is working on some other alternatives. The US Navy could really use something like this. And heck, who knows, depending on how things turn out with the F-35, the US Air Force might even have some interest a decade down the road.

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I do like the way it looks. Very sleek.

However, if you take a look at the earliest concept art for the ATF program, you'll see that it has little in common with the F-22 in service today. I imagine the production F/A-XX would likewise have plenty of differences from these renderings.

The USN has a study that explores loiter time of various configured aircraft at 500+ mile range from the carrier. The tailless design shows much greater endurance (the tailless unmanned significantly more).

The USN plans to have a combat UCAS in service by 2025- note the X-47B (tailless) under the UCAS-D program. Of the 3 remaining sqdn's one is planned to be F-35C and the other two F-18E/F sqdn's will need replacement. The F/A-XX program is exploring what should replace the SH and whether it should be manned, unmanned, or dual role. The picture however is merely a mock up by Boeing trying to remind everyone that LM is not the only company making fighters.

F/A-XX will become more important if the USN cancels the F-35C. This seems to be an entirely cost driven decision that is gaining traction on the Hill.

FWIW, according to the QDR, they're (DoD is) now apparently officially calling it N-UCAS. Before F/A-XX, maybe let's just get a sleeker, longer-ranged, power upgraded Super Hornet block III in development, on a more risk-managed spiral-evolutionary track? It could be flex-controlled too, either manned or un. IMHO.

N-UCAS is a different program.

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Boeing F/A-XX: Does this concept have potential?