Carrier Ops in the Coming Decade

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 16 Jan 2009, 03:59

The Bug only took on the role of Fleet Air Defense after the retirement of the Tomcat--their main mission was to be a sort of "self-escorting" bomb-truck--cut down on the number of different types of airframes on the decks of our flattops. In the near future, we might be able to count the number of different planes we fly off the Navy's carriers on one hand:

FA-18E/F
EA-18G
SH-60
CSA

(and <gasp> not a one may even be a Northrop-Grumman product)

TC · by TC » 16 Jan 2009, 04:24

ptplauthor wrote:not a one may even be a Northrop-Grumman product

Well, at least two will anyway: the E-2 Hawkeye and the C-2 Greyhound (COD).

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 16 Jan 2009, 04:27

I'm talking about the CSA--would replace the EA-6, E-2, COD, S-3, and ES-3, but for the forseeable future, yes, there will be NG birds, just @$$-ugly ones....

TC · by TC » 16 Jan 2009, 06:12

I don't know Hoss. The EA-18G is replacing the Prowler, and the E-2D just started flying within the past couple of years. If the CSA does come online, it might not be the "replace all" aircraft that it might have once been planned to be.

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 16 Jan 2009, 06:20

Ya got me there, was thinking more about writing my book than my posts--the CSA will probably be as big as the Hoover and the Hummer. They might even be aiming for somethinng akin to what they're trying with the LCS....one a/c, modular equipment.

Lightndattic · by **Lightndattic** » 16 Jan 2009, 15:55

ptplauthor wrote:The Bug only took on the role of Fleet Air Defense after the retirement of the Tomcat--their main mission was to be a sort of "self-escorting" bomb-truck--cut down on the number of different types of airframes on the decks of our flattops. In the near future, we might be able to count the number of different planes we fly off the Navy's carriers on one hand:

FA-18E/F
EA-18G
SH-60
CSA

(and <gasp> not a one may even be a Northrop-Grumman product)

UCAS-D? NG product.

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 16 Jan 2009, 23:39

UCAS-D? NG product.

Yeah, it is, but since it's still in the developmental stage--I don't think we'll be seeing it for a while--and in that time the Navy won't have an NG-built jet.

FlightDreamz · by **FlightDreamz** » 17 Jan 2009, 03:23

With the exception of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, yeah no more Northrop Grumman birds. Sad but true. Well, the F-18 is split between McDonnell Douglas now Boeing and Northrop, but I can't bring myself to think of that as a Grumman project.

TC · by TC » 17 Jan 2009, 03:56

Folks, with the retirements of the F-14, EA-6B, and S-3, the conversation in the other thread brought about the inevitable conversation of what is left on carriers, and what will come in the near future.

So, here it is, a topic all about the near future of carrier operations. Enjoy!

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 17 Jan 2009, 04:42

Many thanks, TC, for putting up with us Naval-Aviation buffs (for AF fans: read "nuts"

)

F-18 is split between McDonnell Douglas now Boeing and Northrop, but I can't bring myself to think of that as a Grumman project. Confused

Me too, NG's role in the Bug program was inherited from the Northrop side of the merger, so it doesn't inherit the lineage of Grumman, therefore there will be no offensive-capable USN carrier-borne aircraft in service with the coming retirement of the EA-6B Prowlers.

TC · by TC » 17 Jan 2009, 04:54

With the Super Hornet, there is no NG participation. The E, F, and EA models are all built by Boeing (St. Louis). In fact, back between 1979 and 1985, there was a long, and drawn out lawsuit between McAir and Northrop over the legacy Hornet. Gums may have some perspective on this, if he spots this thread.

FlightDreamz · by **FlightDreamz** » 17 Jan 2009, 17:28

I could have sworn there was some Northrup Grumman input on the EA-18G Growler. It inherits similar jamming pods from the EA-6B Prowler, with an updated two man jamming system (not unlike the EF-111). I'm pretty sure thats still a Northrup Grumman product. One of the more useful versions of the Hornet (in my opinion) with the EF-111's retired and the EA-6B's soon to follow.

ptplauthor · by **ptplauthor** » 17 Jan 2009, 17:52

I could have sworn there was some Northrup Grumman input on the EA-18G Growler. It inherits similar jamming pods from the EA-6B Prowler, with an updated two man jamming system (not unlike the EF-111). I'm pretty sure thats still a Northrup Grumman product. One of the more useful versions of the Hornet (in my opinion) with the EF-111's retired and the EA-6B's soon to follow.

We're talking about how there won't be any aircraft with Grumman lineage--since the -18 came from Northrop by way of the LWF YF-17, it doesn't count.

It would be neat to see EA-18s operating in AF squadrons--that way there is an organic EW aircraft, but let's hold off on that

TC · by TC » 17 Jan 2009, 19:01

Flight, that pod is removeable ordnance, like the AMRAAMs and HARMs that it also carries. Since that is all that is built by NG, it doesn't really count as a joint production contract, which was what I was actually talking about.

In 1985, McAir paid Northrop $50 million to buy them out of F/A-18 production. McAir (St. Louis) was the sole manufacturer, and remained so after they became a part of Boeing.

FlightDreamz · by **FlightDreamz** » 17 Jan 2009, 22:34

Ah, I see your points gentlemen. Especially about the pods being removable and the contract settlement TC - thanks for enlightening me.