Time to be armchair aircraft engineers

"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy) 09/05/2016 at 10:17 • Filed to: shitpost, Fighter Planes

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...and look for ways to turn the FA-50 into a single-seat F-22 Junior Lite.

Priorities:

Reduce radar cross-section with minimal use of radar-absorbing materials

Supercruise at Mach 1.3

Augment maneuverability across all speeds (basically, have a much smaller turn radius than actual AS fighters and make longer, tighter maneuvers) by coming up with a more robust airframe

Close-in weapons (focus on guns as armament)

Range and ceiling (must be just equal to a J-15)

The plane is below.

Viggen > Wheelerguy 09/05/2016 at 11:01

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Let’s break down those priorities. And yes I realize it’s a shitpost, but still.

-Reducing the RCS with limited RAM would entail weapons bays, which increase the size and complexity of the aircraft. However you call for range like that of a Flanker, a very large aircraft. To get that would require external tanks, which even if they and the pylons were to be designed for a reduced RCS would still help paint it on radar.

-Supercruise and high maneuverability can be achieved through the use of a modern, powerful, efficient engine utilizing thrust vectoring. However, the maneuverability you call for means exposing crew to high G limits and would likely end in GLOC. Perhaps the most maneuverable fighter* for the duration of the ‘90s and early 2000s, the Su-37, crashed because of airframe fatigue caused by the stresses it went under.
* Although based on the T-10M (first generation Su-35), the Su-37 was just a technology demonstrator.

-Gun pod. But that increases drag and weight and would reduce range, speed, and maneuverability.

BorkBorkBjork > Wheelerguy 09/05/2016 at 11:13

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No point. Stealth systems are for penetrating heavily defended airspace, they have only a limited advantage in defensive roles.

Best bet would be to invest in a powerful set of AWACS aircraft. Something capable of overpowering enemy stealth system and also providing terminal guidance for friendly missiles.

That way, the FA-50 never has to turn on its radar, can be electronically silent (which is just as good as being stealth when in friendly airspace), and can launch it’s missiles undetected and dash away at a moments notice.

Wheelerguy > Viggen 09/05/2016 at 11:16

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I think that instead of a gun pod, I’d look for integrated single-barrel gun bays on the wings, like the F4U Corsair.

Stealth—guess I’d have to rely on integrated radar jammers and scramblers instead of a full-on planform alignment (but I still think it is possible).

As for the rest... shit. So I guess what I need to work on instead of supermaneuverability is airframe durability.

That, or I just have to wait for the KAI KF-X. But that one doesn’t have internal guns OR a weapons bay.

Wheelerguy > BorkBorkBjork 09/05/2016 at 11:29

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Yeah, actually. I realize that any AS fighter will still overshoot an FA-50 and slam into a hard place, and even then, it’d be better to just invest in ground-based AA batteries. Still, it would be nice to give the bolo a little extra, er, edge, just to throw off enemy fighters.

This suggestion leads me to this thought: I reckon there are some big planes in US graveyards that can be refurbished and given AWACS systems, then sold to PHI for relative pittance.

Viggen > Wheelerguy 09/05/2016 at 11:38

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Guns on the wings reduce fuel and increase drag because now you’ve got holes in them. There’s a reason just about every jet has them in the fuselage.

ECM works, but remember that most modern missile systems have home-on-jam capabilities. Plus internal jamming systems aren’t very strong.

Honestly I would drop the new design and stealth requirements and look more towards something like the Gripen.

Viggen > Wheelerguy 09/05/2016 at 11:43

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I would look to Israel for an AEW&C system. The IAI EL/W-2085, specifically.

BorkBorkBjork > Viggen 09/05/2016 at 12:05

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Exactly. Nobody knows bang-for-buck like the Israelis. Probably good to get some training through them as well.

Viggen > BorkBorkBjork 09/05/2016 at 12:12

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I would set up a nine or ten figure arms deal with them. Could get overhauled F-16s, AEW&C, UAVs, SAMs, and armor. As well as maintenance and training.

bubblestheturtle > Wheelerguy 09/05/2016 at 12:50

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We’re not going to get a buy group together?