Now that you mention it. The planes look a lot alike in basic shape so how are those planes different? To the best of my understanding the Navy has the Hornet (carrier landing and take off). Is the Eagle strictly a land based Air Force plane, and what different capabilities does it have (if any) not having to be able to take off and land on a carrier?
Everything I know comes from the military channel, although I was on a helo carrier (LPH-8) a long time ago. Given how much those planes look alike, I most definitely have been mixing them up. Sorry about that.
F-18 Hornet
http://www.wallpaper.net.au/wallpaper/aviation/F18%20On%20Carrier%20-%20800x600.jpg
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/My-favourite-pics/aaw.sized.jpg
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18-ef-usnhornt.jpg
F-15 Eagle
http://www.ilexikon.com/images/a/a3/Usaf.f15.eagle.750pix.jpg
The tails of those planes (Hornet & Eagle) have similarities, but now that I look a lot closer I see even more differences. Again, sorry about that. It appears there are a number of versions of those planes over time, all somewhat different.
Okay, I feel a little better now. Here is a link to all the variations of a basic design for the F-35A, F35B, F35, etc. They all appear to bear a strong resemblence to the F-22 (Raptor).
http://www.military.cz/usa/air/in_service/aircraft/f22/f22bay.jpg
and
http://www.f22fighter.com/ (interesting site)
Hmmmm, they're confusing me again. It appears the engineers have been working overtime on this one.
The short take off & vertical landing version is an interesting variation to see on video if anyone ever gets a chance.
Here is a conventional take off and landing version
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf2.html
The joint strike fighter
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf1.html
Here is a carrier based take off and landing version
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf3.html
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf6.html
Stealthy
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf5.html
Short take off and verticle landing
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/jsf4.html
"On the F-35B, the engine is coupled with a shaft-driven lift fan system for STOVL propulsion. The counter-rotating lift fan, developed by Rolls-Royce Defence, can generate more than 20,000lb of thrust. Doors installed above and below the vertical fan open as the fin spins up to provide vertical lift. The main engine has a three bearing swivelling exhaust nozzle. The nozzle, which is supplemented by two roll control ducts on the inboard section of the wing, together with the vertical lift fan provide the required STOVL capability."
It's interesting to see the aircraft the F-35 design will be replacing (F-16, A-10) and that it is a "compliment" to the F-22. Sounds like ther're working on replacing the Marine Harriers too. Sure hope it all works out at least as well as what we've had up to now (no small order). So what is it again the F-22 is replacing, the Eagle?
