Which could tally in with the info I heard that the F-22 was getting the F-35 radar antenna of 1200 modules!???.
I've received my reply from USAF, and AGRA is correct (and thus the TO is incorrect!):
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22-avionics.htm
The APG-77 is already getting the APG-77(V)3 upgrade to bring its hardware technology up to APG-81 levels. But this is only part of the picture. The AESAs on the Block II Super Hornet and JSF will be integrated with other sensors like their FLIRs and ESM. Driving this integration and further modernisation is software.
Wow! That means I can do the programing when I'm done in school. :nutkick
I've seen this reply. The accuracy of the AF figures are somewhat doubtful though: obviously the "empty weight" figure is wrong and Lt. Michael "Dozer" is on quote saying they are, although he didn't specify which figure. All in all it seems hard to get an official confirmation of these characteristics. Most book sources I've come accross put the figure between 18500 and 22000lbs while Lockheed Martin lists it as classified.
There were a couple of follow up questions I lodged and they have declined to answer.
Who cares! It actually doesn't really matter if the F-22A has 18,000 lbs or 22,000 lbs as internal fuel capacity. What matters is the radius.
Merged with existing F-35 thread.
You seem to forget about the external hardpoints which are available, if required. There are already photos of the Raptor flying with external tanks and AMRAAMs.Am I missing something where do you see 12? The four added internal AMRAAMs would be carried in place of internal bombs, adding to the (2) it would carry for self-defense, bring the total to six like the F-22. The F-22 also carries (2) internal IR missile currently 9M but soon 9X. The F-22 Carries a total of 8 missiles to date or what's released to the public. http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Well even with external weapons the F-35 will still be stealthier than any F-15, Su-30, Su-35 or anything else that I know of. Honestly I don't see the F-35 using the so called stealth mode other than night strikes that the F-117 did. The rest of the missions will have external weapons to max out the F-35s striking power.
how do we know that to be true,its theoretical at this time and needs to be backed up by facts.
Because the F-35 is designed to carry 2 internal air to air missiles (though this can be increased to 6) and 2 stations for bombs internally plus 6 external weapons for a wide range of air to air and air to ground weapons or fuel tanks. I know this because that is what the F-35 was designed for. Its payload is more than 20,000+lbs that is more than the legacy fighters it will replace and it is more than even the F-22 Raptor. The U.S. will never export the F-22, the USAF too busy trying to get more F-22s for themselves before they even start thinking about exporting it, so no Norway will not get the F-22, but they could get the F-35.
Very carefully two of the jets you mention are real and deadly fighters. Its theoretical at this time since those types of test haven't completed on the unfinished F-35 but, there's always a but. One can assume since the F-35 is basically built off the F-22 program know how picking it up and locking radar guided missiles should be a difficult feat to do. Keeping the fight mid to long range even if the target aircraft can pick up the F-35 radar it should get into good launching positions. Getting into good firing positions with modern air to air missiles usually means air to air kills. It's very difficult to say how good the stealth will work on an aircraft that's not really produced and may change many more times before being released. My personnel feeling is if the F-22 can have it's way F-15C pure fighter jocks 4,5, etc at one time and the F-35 is built mainly after the F-22 well I think it should be a very good aircraft/platform. Time will tell in this case and we still have a few years to go.