US F/A-XX and F-X & NGAD - 6th Gen Aircraft News Thread

[antwerpery]

Oh and another reason why i think that the concept art isn't at all accurate is that I think that the F-47 looks tiny in it. Just look at the cockpit compared to the size of the rest of the plane. The cockpit is huge and takes up so much space. Unless that cockpit has tandem seating for 3-4 people sitting side by side, it looks like the F-47 is actually smaller than most flankers and is comparable to the F-16/f-22/F-35 in size, unless the unseen rear end is massively wide or lengthy, which doesn't look that way considering the placement of the wings.

Which runs counter to the USAF's requirments for the NGAD, they have always wanted a huge plane that can handle the large distances in the Pacific in any potential conflict with China. A medium sized plane is a direct counter to that. So it's either some random render that they drew up that doesn't actually reflect the true appearance of the plane or a deliberate attempt at misinformation.

 

[siegecrossbow]

View attachment 148304
Oh and another reason why i think that the concept art isn't at all accurate is that I think that the F-47 looks tiny in it. Just look at the cockpit compared to the size of the rest of the plane. The cockpit is huge and takes up so much space. Unless that cockpit has tandem seating for 3-4 people sitting side by side, it looks like the F-47 is actually smaller than most flankers and is comparable to the F-16 in size, unless the unseen rear end is massively wide or lengthy, which doesn't look that way considering the placement of the wings.

Which runs counter to the USAF's requirments for the NGAD, they have always wanted a huge plane that can handle the large distances in the Pacific in any potential conflict with China. A medium sized plane is a direct counter to that. So it's either some random render that they drew up that doesn't actually reflect the true appearance of the plane or a deliberate attempt at misinformation.

Why is this size a problem? The SAC sixth gen is around flanker sized.

 

[Gloire_bb]

they have always wanted a huge plane that can handle the large distances in the Pacific in any potential conflict with China.

There were many noises starting about two years ago towards something smaller, numerous and affordable.

It very well may be, that to the dismay of fans, this is indeed fighter mafia's canarded revenge.

 

[sequ]

Interesting. He claims it might have cranked wings:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1903163687357255858

 

[siegecrossbow]

Interesting. He claims it might have cranked wings:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1903163687357255858

F-313 vibes… RIP…

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Another thing to think about: since Lockheed is out of the run for F/A-XX, we will have either Boeing with NGAD + F/A-XX, or NG with B-21 + F/A-XX

 

[siegecrossbow]

New cope is that the canards could be retracted…

 

[mack8]

IF, repeat IF indeed the render does show the F-47 it might be of the YF-47, which might have been subscale? Or indeed they went for the small NGAD, imo there is absolutely no way a full size NGAD would be cheaper than the F-22 as it is claimed. The only way for it to be cheaper is to be small, probably around the size of the F-35 which isn't THAT small but still a dwarf compared to the CHADs or the full size NGAD.

 

[antwerpery]

So basically they’ve been revealing BS at a high profile event? That makes it even worse

They have been keeping the NGAD close to their chest for a while now. This could be an attempt at misinformation. It is the first time in 30 years that the USAF actually has a peer threat in the skies after all. Can't proudly show off your top secret projects anymore.

Yep, this is not the way politics work.

Trump is an outlier in many many many ways. You think his last 2 months is how politics is meant to work?

Why is this size a problem? The SAC sixth gen is around flanker sized.

SAC sixth gen is likely for carrier operations. Has to be small to fit into a carrier, also range is not as much as an issue since the carrier can simply sail closer. If the F-47 flies off from guam or Japan, it's range is going to be very limited if it's small. Larger planes can carry more fuel. USAF have said many times that range is one of the most crucial factors of the NGAD. Hard to believe that they settled for something similar to the F-22/F-35 in size and thus range. You would think that they would at least go for something similar to the J-20 in size.

Also, more size=more room for future upgrades and whatnot.

 

[siegecrossbow]

They have been keeping the NGAD close to their chest for a while now. This could be an attempt at misinformation. It is the first time in 30 years that the USAF actually has a peer threat in the skies after all. Can't proudly show off your top secret projects anymore.

Trump is an outlier in many many many ways. You think his last 2 months is how politics is meant to work?

SAC sixth gen is likely for carrier operations. Has to be small to fit into a carrier, also range is not as much as an issue since the carrier can simply sail closer. If the F-47 flies off from guam or Japan, it's range is going to be very limited if it's small. Larger planes can carry more fuel. USAF have said many times that range is one of the most crucial factors of the NGAD. Hard to believe that they settled for something similar to the F-22/F-35 in size and thus range. You would think that they would at least go for something similar to the J-20 in size.

Also, more size=more room for future upgrades and whatnot.

If they really wanted to keep it close to the chest then they’d keep everything under wraps like they did for F-117. People only find out about it after it has struck targets in Panama.

With how full Jai America they’ve been going under Trump 2.0 I really don’t think they are sophisticated enough for 5D chess moves.