Millennium7
Member
Actually there is, in principle, no reason why you couldn't update an older but very successful machine with some of the F35 sensor fusion stuff and obtain something even more effective any time when you don't need stealthiness.
USAF News and Discussion
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Millennium7
Member
I put together a short video with some curious B2 footage.
have fun!
Mod Edit: Embedded link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.
-Preceptor
have fun!
Mod Edit: Embedded link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.
-Preceptor
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Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Actually there is.
The Block I F/A-18F Super Hornets have slightly different air frames and shaping than the F/A-18F Block II and later Super Hornets, as well as the EA-18G Growler. This was done to provide a common air frame for the future Super Hornets and Growlers to ease the potential logistics burden by having a single air frame able to accommodate the wiring harness for Super Hornets and Growlers.
To take an older design and do the same thing but make it compatible with the avionics suite of an F-35... That would require a fair amount of redesign work to fit a compatible wiring harness (fibre optic in the F-35 IIRC) as well as the various sensors and avionics. Fitting EODAS for instance, would require that the E/O cameras be fitted to provide all-aspect coverage of the air frame, and yet the air frame could have other components or structural members installed where an EODAS camera would need to be mounted. Unless the nose of the older fighter was a match in terms of shape and size for the F-35, it would be highly unlikely that an APG-81 AESA radar could be fitted. Again using the Super Hornet as an example, the nose of the early Block I Super Hornets can fit an APG-73 radar, but not an APG-79 AESA radar like is fitted on board new Super Hornets and the Growler.
It might be possible for an older fighter design to be modified to take either the senors and avionics systems of an F-35 or and equivalent, it would be a very significant redesign which would take considerable time and resources to accomplish. The end result of that would deliver a 4.5 gen fighter which would like at least approach if not already exceed the purchase price of a full rate production F-35, which would have all the advantages of the redesigned aircraft and then more on top.
If the idea is instead not modify an existing design for new production, but to fit the F-35's systems to existing aircraft already in inventory, then I would have to say that is not possible IMO. Some systems could possibly be fitted to older aircraft, not all the systems would be able to be installed.
Whiplash34
Member
That is some great footage of one hellova aircraft. Still so futuristic looking even after all these years.
Thanks for putting that together.
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Millennium7
Member
Thank you very much! My pleasure!
I have some more videos like this on the channel, if you are interested
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-Preceptor
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Millennium7
Member
No doubt that the operation would be extensive and expensive, I agree.
I was thinking about stealth data links and sensor fusion on a more capable airframe, like the F15 or the European Typhoon and Gripen.
It might be an interesting combination and it is mostly software and cockpit modification.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
A short piece on Heather Wilson, Sec of the Airforce, who just resigned. As the author suggests, she was very qualified and was not likely forced out. That being said, it is another example of talent fleeing from WH chaos and stupidity. Expect another “temp” in order to avoid the confirmation process for as long as possible along with inferior qualifications.
Heather Wilson Was Uniquely Qualified To Be Air Force Secretary. So Why Is She Leaving?
Heather Wilson Was Uniquely Qualified To Be Air Force Secretary. So Why Is She Leaving?
Nonsense. Heather Wilson left the Pentagon because she lost a bureaucratic struggle and realized that that there was no way Donald Trump would appoint her Secretary of Defense. It has absolutely nothing to do with so called White House stupidity and chaos. That's just Trump Derangement Syndrome talking.
Heather Wilson joined with the USAF Chief of Staff to try to thwart Donald Trump's desire to have a separate US military service dedicated to Space. They felt that Space would be taken out of the USAF's hands and thus lose a critical mission. Rather than working with Trump, Wilson butted heads with him and you don't butt heads with Donald Trump and last very long. Trump has asked Congress for funding for a new Space Force in the 2020 DOD budget and there is little doubt it will be approved. Wilson decided that it was time to go back to Academia from whence she came before becoming Secretary of the Air Force. That's what happened. The rest is pure nonsense.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
As an apparent Trump loyalist you will spin it how you want to. I am not knowledgeable enough about the pros and cons of space force and agree that was likely incentive for her to leave. I welcome other member inputs as to the merits of space force. There has been some serious talent that have dumped on Trump and that is a concrete fact. Trump can’t stand that so departure of critics is a given. Bet you money job experience with the Donald won’t look good on a application in a couple of years from now.
@pkcasimir That is not acceptable conduct on this forum and is a political statement. Politics are verboten as Col Klink used to say.
@John Fedup Time to refrain from political and sarcastic comments regarding the present incumbent of the White House and his associates. It is politics and politics are verboten as Col Klink used to say.
If you aren't knowledgeable of what's going on in the White House and DOD then you shouldn't be making comments about things you admitted you know nothing about.
I'm not a Trump loyalist. I'm just interested in facts and reality.
Give it a rest or you will face the wrath of the Moderators. Don't try us.
The USAF has begun receiving KC-46s again after a delay based on a continued list of defects.
Boeing resumes KC-46 tanker deliveries, but Air Force scrutiny will linger
Boeing resumes KC-46 tanker deliveries, but Air Force scrutiny will linger
Another USAF base hit by a natural disaster. This time Offutt AFB. Home of STRATCOM
So far the base is reporting no aircraft damaged.
Home Of Strategic Command And Some Of The USAF's Most Prized Aircraft Is Flooding (Updated)
So far the base is reporting no aircraft damaged.
Home Of Strategic Command And Some Of The USAF's Most Prized Aircraft Is Flooding (Updated)
USAF five year plans now call for the purchase of up to 80 new F-15X aircraft, up from the 8 originally proposed.
Thought is that it will work in conjunction with fifth gen aircraft as an aresenal plane of sorts with wings points for up to 22 AAMs
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
Thought is that it will work in conjunction with fifth gen aircraft as an aresenal plane of sorts with wings points for up to 22 AAMs
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
Can see this operating in two ways, the F35 as a mini AWAC in air to air or the F35 clearing a path through defences for the F15 to exploit.
Can see the merit in this for a service with the size and budget of the USAF.
Article sites lower operating costs and longer life.
Is it also about keeping Boeing in the fast jet business.
Agreed. The AAM internal capacity is lower for the F35. They can designate targets at range and using Link 16 guide AAMs from other platforms to the target ideally while minimizing their exposure.
The F15X could be a large increase in capacity in such a scenario.
US DOD just allocated over 2Billion USD for disaster relief and base reconstruction. Prime earmarks are to rebuild Tyndall and Offutt USAF bases. There was some initial debate on wheather Tyndall would be rebuilt.
Us Army USMC also getting some of the funding for infrastructure upgrades
Disaster aid package includes $2B for military. How much would each branch get?
Us Army USMC also getting some of the funding for infrastructure upgrades
Disaster aid package includes $2B for military. How much would each branch get?
USAF will once again begin taking deliveries of the plagued KC-46 tankers. 7 delivered YTD with and expected 36 total by years end
Air Force improves new inspection plan for KC-46s, paving the way for deliveries to restart
Air Force improves new inspection plan for KC-46s, paving the way for deliveries to restart