That both @Jeff Head and myself agree with.
Absolutely. Agreed. Small batch orders of such with the level of modifications needed are cost prohibitive.
Absolutely agreed there is a need for a Next generation naval AEW aircraft that can operate off short deck no cat carrier types.
We meaning @Jeff Head and myself both also seem to be agreed that a Tiltrotor seems the superior to a helicopter platform.
Again we are of one mind on the stated needs. However it is how we decide to reach a solution that we differ.
Based on this statement I believe then that you would argue for the full on conversions EV22 as opposed to the roll on kit option derived from the set up Mentioned
This requires not just Intigration of the "Top hat" array but also extensive modifications to the fuselage to allow for a HVAC pressurisation. V22 was original designed to replace the CH46 "Frog" Seaknight helicopter of the USMC and expanded since then as a result the Marines Boeing and Textron (Bell) left two issues that have never been solved with the V22. The first is it's small cargo hold designed based off the CH46 for the short lived M151 MUTT with it's narrow width. The second is that it was left unpressurized like most helicopters. To date the only pressurised tiltrotor has been the AW609 which was developed for VIP use as an alternative to a biz Jet/Helicopters.
Lacking of such demands that the crew of a EV22 would have to operate with oxygen masks and a lower altitude than that of the E2 series. This is a hinderence to getting the most out of the radar set as the Crew would be limited to the time on Oxygen and effects of cold weather.
The alternative would demand a redesigned fuselage to accommodate the crew for a higher operating ceiling. This would increase weight and price and basically result in a new aircraft with a Run of maybe 150. Although if you have taken that much work for the program it could be that at that point offered as a replacement of E2 as well which would farther increase a potential run.
By contrast the MUX wouldn't be just for the carrier wing. It has potential for across the fleet as an ASW and as a ISR drone. The Marines want it for there operations to. It has potential for the Army as well.
View attachment 52220
By the estimates of your own web site a Izumo class could hold 12 F35B, 8 V22 and 8 H60J ASW/SAR birds at max more likely less in operations.
MV22B can suport a number of roles potential tanker, Assault, COD but EV22 is a dedicated AEW to intigrate them into the Izumo you would need to trade off MV22B. At a minimum 2. Leaving 6 MV22.
Now a EV247 could take the place of 2 SH60J allowing the full MV22 load. Yes some reduced capacity from a smaller radar, and depending upon implementation it might still be a usable ASW platform.
For Dokdo the first ship of the class can only carry 1 V22. The second 2.
Because of the smaller size of V247 it would be a far easier Intigration replacing UH1 or UH60 helicopters.
This also applies to the America and Wasp even the QE class. America class in light carrier configuration is supposed to be about 20 F35B and 2 MH60. It would be far easier to support that load out with V247 carried by Escourt than EV22. In I'm more normal loads 12 MV22, 6 F35B, 4 CH53K, a mix of 7 Vipers or Venoms and 2 MH60. By using the V22 as the base one of the largest aircraft in the air wing gets traded off. For the America or wasp class those V22 are for the Marines. They have to question just what they need to transport. That makes things harder. By contrast V247 could go for a smaller spot making deck operations far easier.
V22 C2 and E2 all take over the decks of CVN when being moved, landed or taken off. They also dominate hanger spaces. V247 is sized as small as a UH1. It easily would fit in smaller hanger spaces like those of LHA and DDH.
On range of operations the designation Bell used for there V247 is as in theory 2 V247 could supply round the clock coverage 24-7. .
We are already seeing radars of far more power being shifted to drone platforms Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program and Sigint on Global hawk for example.
Although there would be trade offs it's just more practical I think.
1) The AEW kits could be built off existing SearchWater/Cerberus kits at least for export.
2) less impact on deck operations allowing those already using V22 The USMC and Japan to not have to trade off troop operations for AEW needs. And even be based off Escourt.
Those with more worried about onboard space would have less issues the platform being when stowed the size of a common medium/light helicopter type.
3) Multirole. ASW, ISR, Sigint are all already in the MUX plan. Meaning that adoption by allies as well as the U.S. doesn't limit it to just the carrier deck The same aircraft with a different kit could support DDG, FFG, LPD assets even expeditionary and ground forces. That would be a major selling point to Japan, Korea and the UK.
4) Being unmanned means the issues of oxygen Being refuelable means that it could just keep flying and tanking this means that the aircraft is not limited by human factors like fatigue or hypoxia.
5)in the works. V247 is being offered as part of the MAGTF Unmanned Aircraft System Expeditionary (MUX) via the Marines and NAVAir
All great ideas gentlemen, the important thing is we all agree there is a NEED, not a want for ASW aircraft... how we get there is up to the "experts", LOL..
