
charlielima223 wrote:Corsair1963 wrote:Why make a Stealth Fighter only to carry external stores all of the time. That is like putting "lipstick on a pig"....
I would assume it was a conscious design compromise. Developing and maintaining stealth aircraft is no simple task nor is it cheap. Yes the F-35 is more maintainable than the F-22 which was far more maintainable than the F-117 and B-2. However you still have maintain the F-35's LO features to keep an acceptable LO aspect.
I would guess the designers of the KF-X wanted to go half way in an attempt to reduce cost. Instead of Super Hornet, Typhoon, and Rafale which have minor LO features in its design, the KF-X has obvious LO outer shaping but doesnt go full on stealth like F-35 and F-22.
IMO the KF-X looks like a good middle of the road fighter aircraft if this ever goes into production and to anyone interested in a semi-stealthy fighter.
Problem is a Stealthy KFX is not more stealthy than your average 4/4.5 Generation Fighter. The second you add all on those external stores.
So, again what's it's advantage???
