The US has built and flown a prototype Next Gen fighter...
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
I wonder what range and payload NGAD has when you see the comment that the F-22 range of “only” 1850nm is to small….
Also note the suggestion of greatly increased F-15EX numbers to rationalise the fleet and replace the F-15E fleet.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021...its-successor/
The F-22 will go away, eventually. But not before the Air Force gets comfortable with its successor.
WASHINGTON — Top Air Force officials are now convinced the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor lacks the magazine depth and range needed to carry it into the next decade as the service’s air superiority fighter of choice.
But the exact timing of its retirement will depend on how quickly the Air Force can put its sixth-generation fighter into production, said Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, the service’s deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements.
“By about the 2030 timeframe, you’re talking about a 40-year-old platform [in the F-22], and it’s just not going to be the right tool for the job, especially when we’re talking about defending our friends like Taiwan and Japan and the Philippines against a Chinese threat that grows and grows,” Hinote told Defense News in an exclusive May 13 interview.…..
Hinote spoke with Defense News a day after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown disclosed the service’s upcoming plan to phase out the F-22 and streamline the service’s fighter inventory to four main fighter variants. Those four aircraft include NGAD, the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, Boeing F-15EX and Lockheed F-16.
“Right now we have seven fighter fleets. My intent is to get down to about four. With that four, what is the right mix?” Brown said at the McAleese and Associates conference on Wednesday…..
Talk of the F-22′s future was conspicuously absent in Brown’s comments, even though the Raptor currently ranks as the Air Force’s second newest fighter and its premier air superiority fighter. Hinote said the F-22′s retirement would be “event-driven” and interwoven with NGAD’s development, occurring closer to the 2030s than in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget cycle…..
It’s unclear how close NGAD is to being fielded, but Hinote said it is proceeding ahead of expectations.…..
The F-22′s limitations, Hinote said, include a small fleet size that contributes to high operating costs and low mission capable rates. It has a relatively short-range — only 1,850 nautical miles with two external fuel tanks — and its weapons magazine is small and lacks depth and range.….
Besides NGAD, the Air Force plans on retaining the F-35 — which Brown said will act as the “cornerstone” of the fighter inventory — as well as the F-15EX and F-16.
The F-15EX was initially purchased to replace F-15C/D Eagles that are nearing the end of their service life, but Brown’s disclosure also portends the eventual sunset of the F-15E Strike Eagle as well.
Hinote said that the service is still studying whether it can modify its F-15Es to an EX configuration or whether it will buy new planes from Boeing.…
Also note the suggestion of greatly increased F-15EX numbers to rationalise the fleet and replace the F-15E fleet.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021...its-successor/
The F-22 will go away, eventually. But not before the Air Force gets comfortable with its successor.
WASHINGTON — Top Air Force officials are now convinced the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor lacks the magazine depth and range needed to carry it into the next decade as the service’s air superiority fighter of choice.
But the exact timing of its retirement will depend on how quickly the Air Force can put its sixth-generation fighter into production, said Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, the service’s deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements.
“By about the 2030 timeframe, you’re talking about a 40-year-old platform [in the F-22], and it’s just not going to be the right tool for the job, especially when we’re talking about defending our friends like Taiwan and Japan and the Philippines against a Chinese threat that grows and grows,” Hinote told Defense News in an exclusive May 13 interview.…..
Hinote spoke with Defense News a day after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown disclosed the service’s upcoming plan to phase out the F-22 and streamline the service’s fighter inventory to four main fighter variants. Those four aircraft include NGAD, the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, Boeing F-15EX and Lockheed F-16.
“Right now we have seven fighter fleets. My intent is to get down to about four. With that four, what is the right mix?” Brown said at the McAleese and Associates conference on Wednesday…..
Talk of the F-22′s future was conspicuously absent in Brown’s comments, even though the Raptor currently ranks as the Air Force’s second newest fighter and its premier air superiority fighter. Hinote said the F-22′s retirement would be “event-driven” and interwoven with NGAD’s development, occurring closer to the 2030s than in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget cycle…..
It’s unclear how close NGAD is to being fielded, but Hinote said it is proceeding ahead of expectations.…..
The F-22′s limitations, Hinote said, include a small fleet size that contributes to high operating costs and low mission capable rates. It has a relatively short-range — only 1,850 nautical miles with two external fuel tanks — and its weapons magazine is small and lacks depth and range.….
Besides NGAD, the Air Force plans on retaining the F-35 — which Brown said will act as the “cornerstone” of the fighter inventory — as well as the F-15EX and F-16.
The F-15EX was initially purchased to replace F-15C/D Eagles that are nearing the end of their service life, but Brown’s disclosure also portends the eventual sunset of the F-15E Strike Eagle as well.
Hinote said that the service is still studying whether it can modify its F-15Es to an EX configuration or whether it will buy new planes from Boeing.…
Thanks ORAC - interesting
More range without external tanks, more varied weapons load out means something quite a bit bigger than the F22 or F35. They want more numbers as well so we're talking low development risk (as far as possible)
The obvious answer is to buy more F-15's or rather further development of the F-15. A new build is likely to come even bigger physically. We're heading back towards F-111 territory I think
More range without external tanks, more varied weapons load out means something quite a bit bigger than the F22 or F35. They want more numbers as well so we're talking low development risk (as far as possible)
The obvious answer is to buy more F-15's or rather further development of the F-15. A new build is likely to come even bigger physically. We're heading back towards F-111 territory I think
Looks like pacific range requirements are coming up for everything.
I think ORAC and other shave posted several US studies showing that with the F-18 (and even worse) the F-35 range limits means the Carriers have to come well into the danger zone to strike at the Chinese mainland now. And having removed the specialist carrier borne tankers they're in an even worse position
I think ORAC and other shave posted several US studies showing that with the F-18 (and even worse) the F-35 range limits means the Carriers have to come well into the danger zone to strike at the Chinese mainland now. And having removed the specialist carrier borne tankers they're in an even worse position
cheers
I wonder what range and payload NGAD has when you see the comment that the F-22 range of “only” 1850nm is to small….
Also note the suggestion of greatly increased F-15EX numbers to rationalise the fleet and replace the F-15E fleet.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021...its-successor/
The F-22 will go away, eventually. But not before the Air Force gets comfortable with its successor.
WASHINGTON — Top Air Force officials are now convinced the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor lacks the magazine depth and range needed to carry it into the next decade as the service’s air superiority fighter of choice.
But the exact timing of its retirement will depend on how quickly the Air Force can put its sixth-generation fighter into production, said Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, the service’s deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements.
“By about the 2030 timeframe, you’re talking about a 40-year-old platform [in the F-22], and it’s just not going to be the right tool for the job, especially when we’re talking about defending our friends like Taiwan and Japan and the Philippines against a Chinese threat that grows and grows,” Hinote told Defense News in an exclusive May 13 interview.…..
Hinote spoke with Defense News a day after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown disclosed the service’s upcoming plan to phase out the F-22 and streamline the service’s fighter inventory to four main fighter variants. Those four aircraft include NGAD, the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, Boeing F-15EX and Lockheed F-16.
“Right now we have seven fighter fleets. My intent is to get down to about four. With that four, what is the right mix?” Brown said at the McAleese and Associates conference on Wednesday…..
Talk of the F-22′s future was conspicuously absent in Brown’s comments, even though the Raptor currently ranks as the Air Force’s second newest fighter and its premier air superiority fighter. Hinote said the F-22′s retirement would be “event-driven” and interwoven with NGAD’s development, occurring closer to the 2030s than in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget cycle…..
It’s unclear how close NGAD is to being fielded, but Hinote said it is proceeding ahead of expectations.…..
The F-22′s limitations, Hinote said, include a small fleet size that contributes to high operating costs and low mission capable rates. It has a relatively short-range — only 1,850 nautical miles with two external fuel tanks — and its weapons magazine is small and lacks depth and range.….
Besides NGAD, the Air Force plans on retaining the F-35 — which Brown said will act as the “cornerstone” of the fighter inventory — as well as the F-15EX and F-16.
The F-15EX was initially purchased to replace F-15C/D Eagles that are nearing the end of their service life, but Brown’s disclosure also portends the eventual sunset of the F-15E Strike Eagle as well.
Hinote said that the service is still studying whether it can modify its F-15Es to an EX configuration or whether it will buy new planes from Boeing.…
Also note the suggestion of greatly increased F-15EX numbers to rationalise the fleet and replace the F-15E fleet.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021...its-successor/
The F-22 will go away, eventually. But not before the Air Force gets comfortable with its successor.
WASHINGTON — Top Air Force officials are now convinced the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor lacks the magazine depth and range needed to carry it into the next decade as the service’s air superiority fighter of choice.
But the exact timing of its retirement will depend on how quickly the Air Force can put its sixth-generation fighter into production, said Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, the service’s deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements.
“By about the 2030 timeframe, you’re talking about a 40-year-old platform [in the F-22], and it’s just not going to be the right tool for the job, especially when we’re talking about defending our friends like Taiwan and Japan and the Philippines against a Chinese threat that grows and grows,” Hinote told Defense News in an exclusive May 13 interview.…..
Hinote spoke with Defense News a day after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown disclosed the service’s upcoming plan to phase out the F-22 and streamline the service’s fighter inventory to four main fighter variants. Those four aircraft include NGAD, the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, Boeing F-15EX and Lockheed F-16.
“Right now we have seven fighter fleets. My intent is to get down to about four. With that four, what is the right mix?” Brown said at the McAleese and Associates conference on Wednesday…..
Talk of the F-22′s future was conspicuously absent in Brown’s comments, even though the Raptor currently ranks as the Air Force’s second newest fighter and its premier air superiority fighter. Hinote said the F-22′s retirement would be “event-driven” and interwoven with NGAD’s development, occurring closer to the 2030s than in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget cycle…..
It’s unclear how close NGAD is to being fielded, but Hinote said it is proceeding ahead of expectations.…..
The F-22′s limitations, Hinote said, include a small fleet size that contributes to high operating costs and low mission capable rates. It has a relatively short-range — only 1,850 nautical miles with two external fuel tanks — and its weapons magazine is small and lacks depth and range.….
Besides NGAD, the Air Force plans on retaining the F-35 — which Brown said will act as the “cornerstone” of the fighter inventory — as well as the F-15EX and F-16.
The F-15EX was initially purchased to replace F-15C/D Eagles that are nearing the end of their service life, but Brown’s disclosure also portends the eventual sunset of the F-15E Strike Eagle as well.
Hinote said that the service is still studying whether it can modify its F-15Es to an EX configuration or whether it will buy new planes from Boeing.…
Magazine depth an issue? What does that mean, other than in a drone rich environment, one runs out of bullets faster than one runs out of targets.
So poor target recognition is the core issue and adding another dozen zillion dollar bvr missiles will not fix the problem.
Admittedly, it may be that all the drones carry nuclear warheads, an increasingly attractive cheap solution.
Has anyone done serious war games with that kind of stuff? I've no idea what one would/could do under those conditions.
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/air-...to-beat-china/
"Kelly’s comments may portend that the program is at a turning point where more funding is needed to accelerate its development and fielding timeline. Lawmakers have been somewhat tepid to the program thus far, funding $904 million of the Air Force’s $1.044 billion request in fiscal 2021. The service previously received $905 million for the program in FY20."
If you take an aircraft fleet that is generally very cash-consumptive in the latter half of its (long) lifes, and progressively replace it with an aircraft fleet that is generally very cash-consumptive in the early years of its (short) lives, you get the mother of all cash squeezes during the transition.
It is no wonder that,
"In the FY21 defense policy bill, Congress also mandated that the Pentagon’s independent Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office conduct a study on Air Force and Navy future fighter programs, including on NGAD’s technology, cost and business case."
"Kelly’s comments may portend that the program is at a turning point where more funding is needed to accelerate its development and fielding timeline. Lawmakers have been somewhat tepid to the program thus far, funding $904 million of the Air Force’s $1.044 billion request in fiscal 2021. The service previously received $905 million for the program in FY20."
If you take an aircraft fleet that is generally very cash-consumptive in the latter half of its (long) lifes, and progressively replace it with an aircraft fleet that is generally very cash-consumptive in the early years of its (short) lives, you get the mother of all cash squeezes during the transition.
It is no wonder that,
"In the FY21 defense policy bill, Congress also mandated that the Pentagon’s independent Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office conduct a study on Air Force and Navy future fighter programs, including on NGAD’s technology, cost and business case."
It is but it is not what we all think
According to the Drive/War Zone, this new gen fighter is not what we think it is>>
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...ou-think-it-is
It could be related to the new e-series of USAF a/c comin in such as the T-7 RedHawk is going to be designated as eT-7 or something like that...
Cheers
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...ou-think-it-is
It could be related to the new e-series of USAF a/c comin in such as the T-7 RedHawk is going to be designated as eT-7 or something like that...
Cheers
Mystery RCS shapes sighted at Helmsdale
It might be realted to the NGAD or it might not be as strange RCS shapes been seen carted along the way to the Helmsdale RCS range...
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...2r8FGVB4FNqsN4
Cheers
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...2r8FGVB4FNqsN4
Cheers
Why does it have an attachment for ploughing? Ultra low level?
Thread Starter
I’ve seen many images of RCS evaluation where the vehicle was mounted upside down on the pole, so perhaps it is upside down on purpose.
Just a guess.
https://aviationhumor.net/military-a...n-on-pedestal/
Just a guess.
https://aviationhumor.net/military-a...n-on-pedestal/
Last edited by West Coast; 24th Sep 2021 at 23:34.
Rather not. There seems to be a rather big open area on the upper side in the middle of that thing, possibly the exhaust nozzle (?) (would be an interesting config but would surely help with IR reduction). You would not want to have that on the lower side of an VLO aircraft