Starting a thread to discuss the desired characteristics of the future F/A-XX.
To start, the aircraft must have a 1000-1200 mile combat radius. Internal weapons bay with four main hardpoints each rated at 2500lbs. and able to carry 2000lbs. guided bombs, air/surface and air/ground missiles such as LRASM, JSM, JASSM or other weapons. The weapons bay would be 32 feet long enabling carriage of 15 foot long weapons such as the AIM-174 very long range air-air missile based on the SM-6 to counter the Chinese PL-12(?). There would be two seats in the aircraft for pilot and weapons system officer who control loyal wingman drones and handle the extra data available from drones and other manned aircraft and operate weapon systems. Internal 25mm gun with 330 rounds for six seconds of firing. Internal weapons bay could accommodate 2-4 AIM-120 or AIM-160 AAMs and side bays for 2 AIM-9X. Four wing hardpoints rated at 5000lbs. inboard and 2500lbs. outboard. AESA multimode radar, IRST, laser designator, DAS, laser IR missile jammer, ESM and EW. Two engines capable of supercruise for propulsion, Roles would be that of a strike fighter and include CAS, maritime strike, ground strike, fighter, interceptor and USN wants tanker configuration and EW configuration.
To start, the aircraft must have a 1000-1200 mile combat radius. Internal weapons bay with four main hardpoints each rated at 2500lbs. and able to carry 2000lbs. guided bombs, air/surface and air/ground missiles such as LRASM, JSM, JASSM or other weapons. The weapons bay would be 32 feet long enabling carriage of 15 foot long weapons such as the AIM-174 very long range air-air missile based on the SM-6 to counter the Chinese PL-12(?). There would be two seats in the aircraft for pilot and weapons system officer who control loyal wingman drones and handle the extra data available from drones and other manned aircraft and operate weapon systems. Internal 25mm gun with 330 rounds for six seconds of firing. Internal weapons bay could accommodate 2-4 AIM-120 or AIM-160 AAMs and side bays for 2 AIM-9X. Four wing hardpoints rated at 5000lbs. inboard and 2500lbs. outboard. AESA multimode radar, IRST, laser designator, DAS, laser IR missile jammer, ESM and EW. Two engines capable of supercruise for propulsion, Roles would be that of a strike fighter and include CAS, maritime strike, ground strike, fighter, interceptor and USN wants tanker configuration and EW configuration.
statistics: Posted by sciquest — 5:50 PM - 1 day ago — Replies 9 — Views 159