Posted on 07/10/2009 1:40:27 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Boeing displays manned F/A-XX concept jet
By Stephen Trimble
Boeing Phantom Works has released a new concept image for a "sixth-generation" fighter to replace the F/A-18E/F fleet after 2025.
The two-seat, twin-engined tailless concept jet is being offered for F/A-XX, a notional US Navy strategy that has not yet become a formal requirement. Although the image shows a tandem cockpit, Boeing says the aircraft could be manned or unmanned "depending on the missions assigned and technology maturity".
© Boeing
Boeing's latest concept image for F/A-XX
The new image features a blended wing and a conventional fighter shape from the cockpit area to the nose. An older Boeing concept drawing for F/A-XX released in June 2008 featured a tailless flying-wing design. The USN revealed last year that it is considering both manned and unmanned aircraft for F/A-XX, with subsonic cruising speed and up to 50h endurance.
© Boeing
Boeing's earlier concept drawing featured a tailless flying-wing design
The Northrop Grumman X-47 selected for the naval unmanned combat aircraft system demonstrator programme has also been proposed for F/A-XX.
Will I get one of these puppies with my bailout check I’m waiting for?
Egzackly....
How much money did we pour down that rat hole?
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Meanwhile we will need prop aircraft to fight all the crap wars against young turd world guys with AKs.
We are going to go more broke using Soviet/Russian/China defeating weapons to keep one group of pickup driving, AK toting dolts from killing another group of walking, AK toting dolts.
(I suppose we have to burn tax dollars and feed the defense industry anyways)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_brothers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229
The recent NatGeo channel special on the history of the Horten Ho 229 jet and proving it stealth abilities was incredible. Including the story of the plans for the Horten H.XVIII, to create the first true intercontinental stealth bomber that could deliver atomic bombs to the major eastern cities of the US.
Or Horten Ho IX ...
But is it “green”? Does it run on biofuel or solar power? No? Can’t have it then.
Notice F-22 front fuselage lineage. My guess thrust vectoring via those plates in the nozzle stream. I wouldn’t rule out a Northrup entry, smart cookies over on their team too, one of which I may or may not have met :-), but they do not talk about what they do for a living.
One segment of the PBS series “Carrier” dealt with sending up a re-fueling plane to assist aircraft delayed in landing due to bad weather. The pilot of the refueling plane was about to retire, and was chosen to fly the plane because of the weather (bumping the less experienced female pilot who was on the schedule). The refueling plane was the last to land, and he did it on the first attempt at the pitching deck. The show was amazing, as the deck was (at times) above his line of approach. Anyway, looking at this plane make me wonder how stable it would be in those conditions....
hh
Bring back the AD-1
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