2 growlers collided during an airshow.
And thats how baby Hornets are born...2 growlers collided during an airshow.
Without a reliable terminal guidance system, glider or not they are just dumb bomb, worse than a ballistic missile.The Navy has never stopped soliciting terminal guidance technologies for high mach vehicles (for CPS/LRHW).
U Notre Dame and several other companies have worked on aero-optics program for both Navy and the Air Force (AFRL funded). All of this was going on while ARRW was supposedly on the chopping block.
This enhanced capability is likely a new type of EO/IR seeker for future US hypersonics to strike moving targets and to be able to sense its environment. The NUDT professor who solved the issue of aerooptics in Chinese vehicles cites Notre Dame researchers work heavily:
What’s the point of showing those off at an Airshow? The defining attributes of a growler are not something you can see via naked eye.2 growlers collided during an airshow.
To prove to the world that the Tejas is not the only one that can crash during air shows.What’s the point of showing those off at an Airshow? The defining attributes of a growler are not something you can see via naked eye.
F-69 Lovebirds.Video of the collision.
I'm thinking exactly the same thing as you. As far as I know, China's J-10 aerobatics team uses lighter stripped down airframes that are actually more maneuverable but not combat ready because they don't have to be. I'd understand if the US just used standard F-18 cus they want to keep them combat-worthy but I really don't understand why they would use Growlers which are the most expensive F-18 variant with weight and maneuverability penalties due to the added EW equipment.What’s the point of showing those off at an Airshow? The defining attributes of a growler are not something you can see via naked eye.