GAO: Tactical Aircraft: Changing Conditions Drive Need for New F/A-22 Business Case"

Kevin Brooks wrote:
Could have swore I saw something just a few days back indicating they are
actually now looking at bringing forward the new program a few years in
hopes of shortening the B-52's currently programmed lifespan.

There are some hints out there.

http://www.house.gov/hasc/openingsta...-03bolkcom.pdf
What characteristics should a next-generation bomber have?
Among the factors to be considered are range, payload, speed, unit
cost, stealth, and whether the aircraft will be manned or unmanned.
Reportedly, Air Combat Command (ACC) is examining four options:
• The B-3: an upgraded version of the B-2 that has greater payload and
range along with better stealth and communications.
• Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV): An aircraft that would operate in
the upper atmosphere at “hypersonic” speeds (Mach 12). It would be
virtually invulnerable to enemy defenses because of its speed and
altitude and could reach east Asia from the continental United States
in less than two hours.
• A high-altitude, low-cost unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with
a range of 17,000 nautical miles and a payload of 4,000 lbs.
• A lower-flying, stealthy UCAV.

-HJC

http://www.house.gov/hasc/openingsta...-03bolkcom.pdf

I've got a question about the chart on page 8 of this report that
compares the F-35 and F/A-22 as bombers.

Can the F-35 really carry three times the payload of the F/A-22 for a
longer distance?

-HJC

Henry J Cobb wrote:

http://www.house.gov/hasc/openingsta...8thcongress/04
-03-03bolkcom.pdf

I've got a question about the chart on page 8 of this report that
compares the F-35 and F/A-22 as bombers.

Can the F-35 really carry three times the payload of the F/A-22 for a
longer distance?

Those numbers are pretty much non-comparable, I fear. The 633 mile figure
is the usual radius quoted for the F-35A, but that's with internal loads
only. The 14,600 pound payload for the F-35 is max external load, which
seriously changes combat radius. The F/A-22's combat radius figure is the
one usually quoted for air-to-air missions (despite the caption). For
air-to-air it apparently includes some significant but unspecified time on
station in the CAP mission. The max load cited is probably external, but
not terribly helpful as that plane that is not configured to carry heavy
external warloads. Etc.

In short, that table is basically worthless.
--
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when
wrong to be put right." - Senator Carl Schurz, 1872