The future of military aviation?

[Typhoon93]

Windowless planes could be here in 10 years?and they look amazing ? Quartz (http://qz.com/287445/windowless-planes-are-coming-and-they-look-amazing/)

Could this technology be used on military aircraft? Would it be beneficial? Or would it just be a waste of money?

Opinions.

[Whenurhappy]

Interesting technology but when do you think it would come into RAF Service? My guess - given recent investment in Strat AT and typical platform longevity - would be about 2050 - seriously!

[D-IFF_ident]

Half of the technology might make it into the military. The half where there are no windows. :cool:

[SpazSinbad]

Perhaps a UK F-35B pilot will say something like this soon?
A White Paper By: Lockheed Martin – An Overview of The F-35 Cockpit
“...The fact is that the helmet is already in use and the reviews from the pilots are overwhelmingly positive. One pilot went so far as to say, “I could fly the whole mission with a helmet bag over the top of my head & just look through the sensors and fly the airplane safely.” Another pilot recently stated, “I wouldn’t go back to a fixed HUD (Head-Up Display)....”
An Overview of The F-35 Cockpit | SLDInfo (http://www.sldinfo.com/whitepapers/an-overview-of-the-f-35-cockpit-what-5th-generation-aircraft-are-all-about/)

[Tourist]

I'm interested to know what your opinion is Typhoon?

[minigundiplomat]

Saves the trolleydolly banging on about opening or closing the window blind at top of drop as if it's the most critical factor in the flight regime.

[Finningley Boy]

Technology seems to be getting further away from the more indulgent aspect of why we took to the air in the first place... the marvellous view from up there!?!?!?:ooh:

FB:)

[Yozzer]

Get with it Minigun:

On Dreamliners, your 'Trolleydolly' is a 'Window Systems Operator' or WSO, as Dreamliner is fiited with the gouchie windows that fade dark and light electronically. At top-of-drop, the WSO hits an Armed Master Switch and all the cabin windows fade to very dark, almost black. This is pretty much all the WSO does throughout the mission, so not really a technological breakthrough more 'same old' I suppose.

[Roland Pulfrew]

This is pretty much all the WSO does throughout the mission, so not really a technological breakthrough more 'same old' I suppose.

Surely that is not a WSO's role; this the role of the Ambient Environment Operator, isn't it? :E

[Typhoon93]

Tourist, I don't have one. Although if it could be useful, then why not?

[nimbev]

Surely that is not a WSO's role; this the role of the Ambient Environment Operator, isn't it?That is what the Ambient Environment Operator did on Nimrods - sit by the window and keep the glare off the Nav's Tactical Display. :E:E (Oh and eat Jock Pies of course)

OK, I apologise in advance

[Tightflester]

The cost in terms of design, for example environmental systems & seat as well as making cockpits ergonomic (efficient & safe), as well as platform performance (restrictions such as Nz limits) including the additional weight, for me, point to the removal of the human from inside the cockpit altogether as the way forward, thus making the windows issue nugatory.

[Lonewolf_50]

point to the removal of the human from inside the cockpit altogether as the way forward, thus making the windows issue nugatory.
That's the future. Weight savings non trivial when one removes the crew.

[smujsmith]

Typhoon 93,

I'm not sure about "planes" but manned British military aircraft, will probably continue to allow the pilot to " see out of the window". Meanwhile, in the interest of "doing it on the cheap", our government is obviously driving forward with the Drone principal, which has no need of windows whatsoever. Whatever the decision, as an ex Halton apprentice, the only use I see for a plane, is the shaping of wood.

Smudge:ok:

[D-IFF_ident]

How would the crew check for signs of leaks or smoke? I fly a modern jet but still invite the cabin crew to look out the windows to check the wings and engines if the situation warrants.

And in the unlikely event of an evacuation how would the cabin crew 'evaluate inside and outside the aircraft' and how would the fire crews know if there are people still on board without entering the cabin?

[BEagle]

The next idea will no doubt be to include the 'Rendition Class' windowless fuselage and basic 'troop' seating which the USAF uses in the KC-135 and KC-10. Boeing's Frankentanker paper-plane KC-46A 'Pig's ar$e', unlike the vastly superior A330MRTT, will be similarly devoid of cabin windows....:rolleyes: