Boeing unveils updated F/A-XX sixth-gen fighter concept

Daredevil

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Boeing is unveiling an updated version of its F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter concept at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington DC this week.

The tail-less twin-engine stealth fighter design comes in "manned and unmanned options as possibilities per the US Navy," Boeing says. The design features diverterless supersonic inlets reminiscent of those found on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.



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The Boeing concept also features canards, which is somewhat of a surprise because the motion of those forward mounted control surfaces is generally assumed to compromise a stealth aircraft's frontal radar cross-section. But the lack of vertical tail surfaces suggests the aircraft would be optimized for all-aspect broadband stealth, which would be needed for operations in the most challenging anti-access/area denial environments.

Also of note in the manned version of the company's F/A-XX concept is the placement of the cockpit-rearward visibility appears to be restricted without the aid of a sensor apparatus similar to the F-35's distributed aperture system of six infrared cameras.

The Boeing F/A-XX concept is a response to a USN request for information (RFI) from April 2012 soliciting data for a replacement for the service's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets in the 2030s. The Super Hornet fleet is expected to start reaching the end of the jet's 9000h useful lifespan during that time period.

"The intent of this research is to solicit industry inputs on candidate solutions for CVN [nuclear-powered aircraft carrier] based aircraft to provide air supremacy with a multi-role strike capability in an anti-access/area denied (A2AD) operational environment," the navy RFI stated. "Primary missions include, but are not limited to, air warfare (AW), strike warfare (STW), surface warfare (SUW), and close air support (CAS)."

Navy leaders had said at the time that they expect any new F/A-XX design to have greatly increased range and offer far superior kinematic performance compared to existing tactical aircraft.

Boeing unveils updated F/A-XX sixth-gen fighter concept
 

p2prada

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These guys are always one step ahead of the rest of the world.
 

Broccoli

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Looks like it has canards and they are not too different from what can be seen in J-20.
 

indian_sukhoi

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Boeing F-XX is the only Sixth Generation program which is offcially known to the world.

If Soviet had existed, We would have seen F-22 and F-35s operating by US Navy.
 

Shirman

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i believe the Americans are saying well you develop, mature and induct 5th gen by 2020-25 6th gen will not only be on the drawing boards but will complete its first flight and pass its taxi runs.......also one important feature that could qualify for a 6th gen would be intercontinental/global strike range crucial against Chinese-American scenario..............
 

amoy

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Boeing reveals updated F/A-XX concept

Boeing reveals updated F/A-XX concept - The DEW Line


Boeing is unveiling an updated version of its F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter concept at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington DC this week.

The tail-less twin-engine stealth fighter design comes in "manned and unmanned options as possibilities per the US Navy," Boeing says. The design features diverterless supersonic inlets reminiscent of those found on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The Boeing concept also features canards, which is somewhat of a surprise because the motion of those forward mounted control surfaces is generally assumed to compromise a stealth aircraft's frontal radar cross-section. But the lack of vertical tail surfaces suggests the aircraft would be optimized for all-aspect broadband stealth, which would be needed for operations in the most challenging anti-access/area denial environments.

Also of note in the manned version of the company's F/A-XX concept is the placement of the cockpit--rearward visibility appears to be restricted without the aid of a sensor apparatus similar to the F-35's distributed aperture system of six infrared cameras.

The Boeing F/A-XX concept is a response to a USN request for information (RFI) from April 2012 soliciting data for a replacement for the service's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets in the 2030s. The Super Hornet fleet is expected to start reaching the end of the jet's 9000h useful lifespan during that time period.

"The intent of this research is to solicit Industry inputs on candidate solutions for CVN [nuclear-powered aircraft carrier] based aircraft to provide air supremacy with a multi-role strike capability in an anti-access/area denied (A2AD) operational environment," the navy RFI had stated. "Primary missions include, but are not limited to, air warfare (AW), strike warfare (STW), surface warfare (SUW), and close air support (CAS)."

Navy leaders had said at the time that they expect any new F/A-XX design to have greatly increased range and offer far superior kinematic performance compared to existing tactical aircraft.
 

dhananjay1

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Re: Boeing reveals updated F/A-XX concept

Looks like Boeing is trying hard to save the collapse of the company from 787 debacle.
 

W.G.Ewald

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Re: Boeing reveals updated F/A-XX concept

Looks like Boeing is trying hard to save the collapse of the company from 787 debacle.
Boeing is addressing the problems with the 787, do you think F/A-XX has any link to that?

Boeing Completes Final 787 Battery Test, Awaits FAA Approval | Autopia | Wired.com
Federal Aviation Administration officials flew aboard a Boeing 787 for a test of the airliner's new battery system that included "normal and non-normal flight conditions" and went off without a hitch.

The "non-normal" flight conditions included "simulating failed engines, generators, pumps and other equipment on the airplane," Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said. The rigorous 1 hour, 51 minute flight up and down the Oregon and Washington coast was meant to show the FAA that Boeing has solved a battery problem that led to "thermal runaway" aboard aboard 787 Dreamliners in Boston and Japan. All 50 Dreamliners in service worldwide have been grounded since January 16 because of the problem.

Boeing has spent weeks designing and testing improvements to the 63-pound lithium-ion battery after problems arose aboard a Dreamliner at the gate at Logan International Airport and another in flight over Japan. In both cases, the batteries were severely damaged by heat, but damage to the planes was limited to the area immediately surrounding the batteries, one of which is located in the nose of the 787, the other near the middle of the aircraft.

The redesign includes improved separation of individual lithium-ion cells to minimize the chance of what Boeing is calling thermal propagation but the National Transportation Safety Board characterized as thermal runaway. The added insulation is designed to minimize the chance of an overheated cell propagating when one of the eight cells experiences a short circuit.

The new design also houses the battery in a heavy-duty sealed stainless steel box vented directly to the exterior of the fuselage. Boeing believes the new system eliminates the chance of a battery fire. At a press conference in Japan last month, the company even showed a test where propane was purposely ignited inside the steel box, which easily contained the small explosion.

Boeing has tested the new design in the lab and on the ground aboard a flight test aircraft, and in the air aboard a 787 built for LOT Airlines of Poland. Ground testing included "battery failure venting in the containment housing," Birtel said. The FAA will now examine the data from Friday's flight as well as information gleaned from other tests. It is widely expected to approve the redesign, which would allow the aircraft to resume passenger service soon.
 

dhananjay1

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Re: Boeing reveals updated F/A-XX concept

Boeing is addressing the problems with the 787, do you think F/A-XX has any link to that?
Who knows what's the real financial situation of the company, but they would have a real crisis if the 787 problem is not resolved. The carbon fiber body is also a big problem along with the battery. If they can get a big contract for a new insanely expensive military aircraft, it might help them stay afloat.
 

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