F-16.net

If it is a host of those other concepts well that is what analysis has concluded is the best way forward. I don't see why new ideas should be held back because of fear of not even being able to defeat the current opposition. You obviously think F-35 and any new concepts will be found wanting and new improved F-22 are needed to save the day now. Fine but this POV is only held by a narrow dwindling band of anti-F-35 proponents with zero political clout anywhere. Events will proceed forward in the new directions regardless.

p.s. I assumed what the form of PCA would be from all the concept art that is coming out with this proposal. Of course it could be some other esoteric solution but given the conservative nature of the USAF I doubt it as even YF-23 proved too out there for them so I suspect all the trade studies to lead to this super stealthy maneuverable low drag long-range Blackbird Mk 2 with all the sensor bells and whistles. Such an aircraft would also have the maximum export potential compared to a very specific B-21 escort solution.

zero-one wrote:

marsavian wrote: PCA as a bigger aircraft will have a more powerful radar than F-22/J-20, it will have bigger more powerful IR sensors, it will have a lower RF/IR signature due to its more modern design. It will detect the J-20 before it detects it and maintain first strike stealth advantage. It will also do this at ranges the F-22 can't be at.

How do you know that, the USAF doesn't even know what PCA will be yet.

Well one indicator is they're already working on the engine and it's bigger than the F135s ADVENT replacement.

marsavian wrote:If it is a host of those other concepts well that is what analysis has concluded is the best way forward. I don't see why new ideas should be held back because of fear of not even being able to defeat the current opposition. You obviously think F-35 and any new concepts will be found wanting and new improved F-22 are needed to save the day now. Fine but this POV is only held by a narrow dwindling band of anti-F-35 proponents with zero political clout anywhere. Events will proceed forward in the new directions regardless.

p.s. I assumed what the form of PCA would be from all the concept art that is coming out with this proposal. Of course it could be some other esoteric solution but given the conservative nature of the USAF I doubt it as even YF-23 proved too out there for them so I suspect all the trade studies to lead to this super stealthy maneuverable low drag long-range Blackbird Mk 2 with all the sensor bells and whistles. Such an aircraft would also have the maximum export potential compared to a very specific B-21 escort solution.

How hard would it be to give the B-2 or B-21 the ability to employ AAMs? You need to a radar mode to the AN/APQ-181 and a helmet mounted display.

blain wrote:How hard would it be to give the B-2 or B-21 the ability to employ AAMs? You need to a radar mode to the AN/APQ-181 and a helmet mounted display.

The APQ-181 is completely out-of-band wrt datalinks on all current AAMs; MSDM or SACM might be different.

But general AAM employment was explicitly descoped during the NGB -> LRSB transition.