plawolf
Lieutenant General
The F16 had a one-piece canopy way back in the day. Although the F16's canopy limited it's airspeed to around 800 knots at lower altitudes when the airframe could have happily done 900, this was because the heat generated beyond 800 knots would cause the canopy to weaken and soften.
It could be that other aircraft did not opt for the one-piece as they did not want to be restricted to such a speed, especially not the likes of the F15.
Given the requirement for supercruise and the higher top speed of the F22, I would imagine that material sciences have improved somewhat since the F16's day and that is why it was chosen.
I also remember that the structural strength of a single piece canopy is not as strong as two-piece, and that is why the F18 and F35 uses a two-piece solution - the single piece canopy would not have met the Navy's requirements as there is a higher chance of bird strike in naval fixed wing operations.
Cost would obviously also play a part also, so as you can see, there are many factors to consider in choosing between one and two piece canopies even if you have the means to fabricate the single piece, which no-one except America and China has demonstrated so far.
It could be that other aircraft did not opt for the one-piece as they did not want to be restricted to such a speed, especially not the likes of the F15.
Given the requirement for supercruise and the higher top speed of the F22, I would imagine that material sciences have improved somewhat since the F16's day and that is why it was chosen.
I also remember that the structural strength of a single piece canopy is not as strong as two-piece, and that is why the F18 and F35 uses a two-piece solution - the single piece canopy would not have met the Navy's requirements as there is a higher chance of bird strike in naval fixed wing operations.
Cost would obviously also play a part also, so as you can see, there are many factors to consider in choosing between one and two piece canopies even if you have the means to fabricate the single piece, which no-one except America and China has demonstrated so far.
