It might be more realistic for China to get WS-15 working first.
US F/A-XX and F-X 6th Gen Aircraft News Thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
It might be more realistic for China to get WS-15 working first.
I do seem to recall I stated based on the funding profiles in budgets that something ought to be flying soon. I also remember members being dubious.
So, with all the dignity within me, I say...
NYAH.
ahem.
Given the extremely short development timeframe (1-2 years from initial digital design to flying prototype) it's probably reasonable to assume that the 6th Gen prototype has re-used much of the internals (AESA, DAS, EODS and electronic warfare systems, sensor fusion etc.) developed for the F-35, and build upon this by further reducing the IR and airframe radar signature, likely adding two engines (Pratt & Whitney F135?) for greater speed and supercruise ability as well as adding 2D or 3D nozzles optimised enhanced A2A combat.
As such, it doesn't need to be a massive leap forward in what is already pretty impressive sensor fused tech in the F-35 and to a lesser extent the F-22, but it does need to be kinematically competitive (+F-22), be able to be produced quickly and affordable to be made in sufficient numbers to make a tangible difference in the balance of power.
For me, the real innovation is the impressively short concept/design to prototype timeline where the real competitive advantage lies. Better to rapidly innovate and pivot with incremental upgrades that quickly and tangibly enhance capability rather than the design philosophy/assumptions that underpinned the F-22 (the late-1980s) and F-35 (early C21's)
As such, it doesn't need to be a massive leap forward in what is already pretty impressive sensor fused tech in the F-35 and to a lesser extent the F-22, but it does need to be kinematically competitive (+F-22), be able to be produced quickly and affordable to be made in sufficient numbers to make a tangible difference in the balance of power.
For me, the real innovation is the impressively short concept/design to prototype timeline where the real competitive advantage lies. Better to rapidly innovate and pivot with incremental upgrades that quickly and tangibly enhance capability rather than the design philosophy/assumptions that underpinned the F-22 (the late-1980s) and F-35 (early C21's)
Some very interesting (new?) details on the US Navy NGDA program.
From my non-expert view it seems they want the F/A-XX (part of NGAD) to be the center piece of the NGAD, and then want air-to-air, EW, AEW platforms (probably all unmanned) alongside it.
So I guess the F/A-XX would be more of a "commanding" aircraft so that it can instruct its unmanned helping platforms on what to do?
So the unmanned platforms project is basically something similar to the unmanned loyal wingman project that Australia has now with Boeing?
Any opinions?
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Until an attribute becomes the definitive definition of the sixth generation (like stealth did for the F-22) I’d say let’s just wait and see.
There is also a separate NGAD (F-X/FA-XX) thread. This is, last I checked, the Chinese 6th gen thread.
As stated before, much longer range and much deeper magazine than F-22. Sounds far more stealthy.
There is a reference architecture (rather than requirements) that the contractors are building to.
There is also a demonstrator flying. What that means - prototype or something like the avionics demonstrators - idk.
Is the air force developing a different aircraft than the navy? Looks like they have separate budgets so I assume yes.