Canada Buys Super Hornets

Ummm, and it took, what? 20 years of sows for that silk purse.

 

We bought those ears...and loved them.

 

Agreed, but things he says often get legs of their own, especially tweets.

I heard it said about the F-111 that one of its best attributes was leading the Soviets to sink billions into copying the tech, money they could not afford

 

Trump was bitching about the F-35 just the other evening. I have a feeling they'll be pretty cheap after January 20th, since we won't need them. Lockheed will install a trailer hitch on the nose for an additional 1.2 billion dollars so you can tow them straight up to Canada.

 

He he hee-trailer hitch...You stole my 2nd salute for the day when making the not so crazy assumption Keef Richards is the father of our current gorgeous leader.
MrT, could you suggest a better low level bomber/strike than the 11 during its heyday. Because there aren't any.

Also wonder- how hard is it to fly a Super18 if 1 engine flames out...because engines are center line, would it be easier to fly compared to a jet with wing mounted engines?

 

They tried to copy the Concord as well.

 

Considering that the TU-144 flew first...

Physics & technology of the time dictated the shape of the air frame. The Lockheed L-2000 and Boeing 2707 also had very similar air frames, but certainly were not copies of either the Concorde or Tu-144.

FYI, the Boeing 2707 started life as a swing wing design, but changed, due to limitations, to the traditional delta wing.

 

"Considering that the TU-144 flew first..."
So, the 144 was a wholly Soviet design...nope... Because it flew 1st? Ha.

 

Proof please...

And not that outlandish spy story about planting false documents with inherent design flaws built in.

 

What outlandish spy story?

 

A cheap single-engine plane that can carry lots of missiles that can turn 90 degrees upon launch and reach out 200 miles is all you'll need for this century.

 

Not in Australia...200 miles is just a warm up...

 

The TU144 flew 2 months before the Concorde. he hee...The Concorde made its first commercial flight 1 year before the 144.
So- the Soviets simply flew a machine that was not even close to production- 2 months before the real dealio.
Am now convinced more than ever, the 144 was a cheap rip off of the real thing.
Look at the service both provided.
So, yes, the Soviets stole a lot of tech info. Not only regarding the 144, but other craft as well.
Don't forget the Soviets also got a lot of tech from German scientists who were unfortunate enough to be captured by them.
The US too, but the scientists would have rather been captured by the Allies.

If it were so easy...That cheap single engine craft needs an awesome radar to target and launch. Cruise missiles or drone attack would be a better/cheaper/ safer alternative.

 

The essential problem is the attempt to make a single airframe do too many things and to do them while being stealthy. The primary component of stealth is the elimination of those things that reflect radar waves and dictates shape and form.

Its one thing to have a fighter that is stealthy, but becomes far harder in a close air support craft. You want bombs, lots of bombs in a CAS aircraft, but there is only so much room inside a fighter sized aircraft. Once you start hanging ordnance on the wings and fuselage it is no longer stealthy.

The whole stealthy component means less bang-bang it can carry. We tried this before (less the stealth requirement) in the f-4 Phantom II and the next generation went to mission specific designs and proved to be some of the best aircraft put into the air.

 

Curious about how stealthy our (Canada) attack craft need to be. Are there not usually higher flying radar planes/satelite- jamming, directing/warning...This is our advantage-high ground/superior electronics?
The 18's simply imply the hardware.

 

But it's not just about national defence Pops...we all know that that is the least likely scenario, but one to plan for...instead it's about helping your coalition mates out in the many smaller scale conflicts...Australia has bombers bombing overseas right now...as Canada probably does too...The US doesn't want to be seen as the bully, so relies on support she doesn't really need...

 

The F-35 was created to meet US specifications, a aircraft designed to operate in enemy territory, which is the US preference. A grand idea to be sure, if it is affordable. Canada, Australia et all want/need a aircraft that operates on or near its own territory predominately, yes they deploy 'overseas' but in numbers that make them largely token at best.

If the European consortium, or if there was a American option that offered a improved, modern replacement for a F-16/F/A-18 sans the over reliance on stealth capability it would be a natural sell for these countries and their defense needs. Sadly there doesn't seem to be such a animal.

Earlier in the tread I questioned the need for Marine variant and my opinion remains unchanged. The problem is a lack of out of the box thinking within the US military procurement process. I do not question the need for a close air support bird for the Marines, or the Army for that matter, they both need this asset.

Would not a drone version of this be viable? We already have armed drones (Predators) conducting air to ground strikes as it is, could we not develop a cheaper, yet more robust armed drone to act in this close air support role for both Services instead of manned high performance aircraft? Without the pilot, ejection seat and life support equipment it might even be lighter and more maneuverable than a conventionable aircraft.

 

I believe advanced drone fighters and bombers are being designed and probably produced, at least in prototype right now...I've seen evidence of the US thinking out of the box but always wants what it sees as a reliable fall back just in case...the F22 to the 35 in this instance...

 

Hearing the Donald has requested an alternative bid for an upgraded Super Hornet...Lets see how much/quickly the new '35 price tag will drop by. ..ill guess at least 10 million per.

 

This puppy would work... Not nearly as well, but surely better than a Super Hornet (if we really need stealth).
Chinas FC31
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/12/china-tests-latest-stealth-fighter.html