Speed agile

Speed agile is the codename for a new project currently undertaken by both Lockheed martin and Boeing for the USAF. the goal is to provide the United states military with a STOL military lift aircraft that can carry the load of a C-130 while cruising at 0.8 mach , the design is also supposed to incorporate VLO characteristics into the airframe as well(kinda reminds you of the specs the IA & IAF want sometimes don't it!)

The cool name reflects the Air Force's desire for "speed agility": high lift at low speeds for short take-off and landing from improvised airstrips combined with efficient cruise at speeds beyond Mach 0.8 - something traditional STOL aircraft are not good at.

The baseline specs for Speed Agile are revealing: at least 500nm radius carrying a nominal 29.5t payload at speeds above Mach 0.8, with a mid-mission hot-and-high landing and take-off in under 2,000ft - 1,500ft is desired.

And the cargo box looks familiar - it has the same 4m loading width as the Airbus A400M, which is fast becoming the standard for intra-theatre transport as payloads outgrow the C-130.

No-one gets to build a demonstrator for Speed Agile - the 34-month programme will involve concept design and windtunnel validation of low-speed and transonic performance. But it is one of a raft of Air Force Research Laboratory projects paving the way for AJACS - the Advanced Joint Air Combat System - planned as a replacement for the C-130.

Boeing's concept







Lockheed's concept

Sounds Interesting to me, but at the same time as the question remains which type of stealth it will boast? Now as the project still in 'Conceptualisation' , there are many pros and cons are being weighed, and also it must carry Anti SAM measure, suppose this futuristic 'Military Lift ' Aircraft is being used for Para dropping in a difficult situation , what measures must it take to protect it self from enemy fire or hostile enemy fire.

Let any friend may shed some light .

However, thanks again to Bengal Raider for opening an interesting thread.

Regards

as for the stealth here's a few things i can see in the designs
1) properties inherent in the shape
a)very nearly a flying wing design(B2 influence)
b)No rudder
c)rear elevators at a very sharp angle
d)engine intakes, B2 for Boeing, F-22 for Lockheed

Other than the above my guess would be that the USAF would be looking at an airframe almost completely built of low reflectivity composites coated with RAM(whatever the B2 uses). also the airspace into which this aircraft would be sent would in all probability be one where air superiority has already been achieved, Also any such mission near any frontline would most definitely be escorted by some F-35's in a SEAD role along with use of ELINT assets like the EA6B Prowler.

This is some awesome shit.

Can anyone please explain to me what's going on in the second picture under 'Lockheed's Concepts'.

2000 ft. in 'hot and high' conditions is pretty good. I wonder if the aircraft will have LEX's / LERX's, or circulation control wings, and if they do, how it will impact stealth?

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs...b-1d820cb2b07a