Combat Aircraft technology and Evolution

[vampyrbladez]

F35 is not FOC, and it will take yearS for that. As for now, it is only a nice marketing object,

But it is the future. Even EU accepts that now.

 

[Holy Triad]

Skyworks to offer U.S. Army new combat gyrodyne aircraft

https://defence-blog.com/army/skyworks-to-offer-u-s-army-new-combat-gyrodyne-aircraft.html/amp

 

[Vijyes]

Skyworks to offer U.S. Army new combat gyrodyne aircraft

https://defence-blog.com/army/skyworks-to-offer-u-s-army-new-combat-gyrodyne-aircraft.html/amp

Choppers are inefficient in fuel usage and less maneuverable than fixed wing aircrafts. So, it can never be a full success over other drones which USA already has

 

[Holy Triad]

Choppers are inefficient in fuel usage and less maneuverable than fixed wing aircrafts. So, it can never be a full success over other drones which USA already has

True,it never meant to replace the fixed wing aircrafts.but army cannot develop or procure fixed wing aircrafts. The above mentioned skyworks aircraft contending under the Reconnaissance Aircraft-Competitive Prototype (FARA-CP) program.

 

[Vijyes]

True,it never meant to replace the fixed wing aircrafts.but army cannot develop or procure fixed wing aircrafts. The above mentioned skyworks aircraft contending under the Reconnaissance Aircraft-Competitive Prototype (FARA-CP) program.

Even in this, fixed wing drones are better. Only place where such helicopter drones work is in counter insurgency where there is a need to take off and land quickly without runways.

 

[asianobserve]

From 100 miles away: New air-to-air missiles designed to destroy long-range Chinese targets


The U.S. military is working on a joint service long-range air-to-air missile to replace the venerable AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as the AIM-260 Joint Air Tactical Missile, or JATM.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the 260s will be mounted on F-22 Raptors and F/A-18 Hornets after tests begin in 2021. It will later be added to the F-35 Lightning II’s arsenal.

The AIM-120s will no longer be on the military’s purchase list after 2026, and will eventually be phased out.

https://warisboring.com/from-100-mi...signed-to-destroy-long-range-chinese-targets/

 

[asianobserve]

Detailed Design Complete for GE’s Revolutionary Adaptive Fighter Engine


GE promotional materials showing the three air streams in the XA100 engine. (GE/AVI screenshot)

In accordance with AETP requirements, the XA100 ramps up engine thrust by 10 percent while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency by 25 percent over what would typically be possible with a fighter jet engine. The key is XA100's variable cycle that allows for adjustment to the bypass ratio and fan pressure.

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/...-revolutionary-adaptive-cycle-fighter-engine/


This next gen engine project again shows thst the US always prioritizes fighter engine technology, even before the fighter design which it will go into, is finalized.

This engine is intended for projected 6th Gen fighter programs of USAF and USN.

 

[IndianHawk]

From 100 miles away: New air-to-air missiles designed to destroy long-range Chinese targets


The U.S. military is working on a joint service long-range air-to-air missile to replace the venerable AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as the AIM-260 Joint Air Tactical Missile, or JATM.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the 260s will be mounted on F-22 Raptors and F/A-18 Hornets after tests begin in 2021. It will later be added to the F-35 Lightning II’s arsenal.

The AIM-120s will no longer be on the military’s purchase list after 2026, and will eventually be phased out.

https://warisboring.com/from-100-mi...signed-to-destroy-long-range-chinese-targets/

2026 seems late. Europe already has meteor and with sfdr project India and Russia will have same class missile by 2026-28.

USA lead is slipping away faster than anticipated before.

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[IndianHawk]

Detailed Design Complete for GE’s Revolutionary Adaptive Fighter Engine


GE promotional materials showing the three air streams in the XA100 engine. (GE/AVI screenshot)

In accordance with AETP requirements, the XA100 ramps up engine thrust by 10 percent while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency by 25 percent over what would typically be possible with a fighter jet engine. The key is XA100's variable cycle that allows for adjustment to the bypass ratio and fan pressure.

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/...-revolutionary-adaptive-cycle-fighter-engine/


This next gen engine project again shows thst the US always prioritizes fighter engine technology, even before the fighter design which it will go into, is finalized.

This engine is intended for projected 6th Gen fighter programs of USAF and USN.

So what is the actual specifications ? What is the target thrust?

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[asianobserve]

So what is the actual specifications ? What is the target thrust?

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

It's benchmarked against the most powerful fighter engine currently in service with USAF, USN and US Marines.

 

[asianobserve]

2026 seems late. Europe already has meteor and with sfdr project India and Russia will have same class missile by 2026-28.

USA lead is slipping away faster than anticipated before.

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

Meteor is the only missile that surpasses the latest AMRAAM at least on pure kenimatics. But due to AMRAAM's numerous developments over the decades it's reasonable to conclude that it's systems are already the pinnacle of what can be offered at current technological realities. it's been in active service for decades and has been tested in major aerial conflicts and wars over the decades. So as I said there has been more than enough time and lessons to hone AMRAAM's latest version. Meteor on the other hand still has to be fired in anger. So all its vaunted kinematics superiority remains to be seen.

And the US certainly examined Meteor before it decided to develop its next gen long range missile. And yet it still went for full rocket power in terms of propulsion with up to 200 kms in range (the real figure is usually much greater).

Add to these impressive figures are the fact that AIM-260 can be throttled and will have twin radar and IR seekers. Whereas Meteor only have radar seeker.

Besides, the US can simply buy in masse Meteor missiles from UK if it takes longer for AIM-260 to develop and in the meantime Meteor's superior kinematics to AMRAAM is needed.
Update: BAE begins Meteor and SPEAR integration for F-35
https://www.janes.com/article/87365/update-bae-begins-meteor-and-spear-integration-for-f-35

 

[asianobserve]

So what is the actual specifications ? What is the target thrust?

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

Since F135-PW-100's military thrust is known (at least in public) to be 28,000 lbf (128 kN) then it could be bumped to 30,800 lbf (140.8kN) while its afterburning thrust could go up to 47,300 lbf (210.10 kN)from its current 43,000 lbf (191 kN) with afterburner. These are massive numbers.

All these impressive bump in thrust figures are achieved with 25% fuel efficiency.

 

[IndianHawk]

Meteor is the only missile that surpasses the latest AMRAAM at least on pure kenimatics. But due to AMRAAM's numerous developments over the decades it's reasonable to conclude that it's systems are already the pinnacle of what can be offered at current technological realities. it's been in active service for decades and has been tested in major aerial conflicts and wars over the decades. So as I said there has been more than enough time and lessons to hone AMRAAM's latest version. Meteor on the other hand still has to be fired in anger. So all its vaunted kinematics superiority remains to be seen.

And the US certainly examined Meteor before it decided to develop its next gen long range missile. And yet it still went for full rocket power in terms of propulsion with up to 200 kms in range (the real figure is usually much greater).

Add to these impressive figures are the fact that AIM-260 can be throttled and will have twin radar and IR seekers. Whereas Meteor only have radar seeker.

Besides, the US can simply buy in masse Meteor missiles from UK if it takes longer for AIM-260 to develop and in the meantime Meteor's superior kinematics to AMRAAM is needed.
Update: BAE begins Meteor and SPEAR integration for F-35
https://www.janes.com/article/87365/update-bae-begins-meteor-and-spear-integration-for-f-35

That's the point . Latest tech is scramjet. Given USA spending on defense one would think USA will be decades ahead of rivals in operationalizing an scramjet based aam. But that hasn't happened.

USA is not only behind Europe here but barely a few years ahead of India/ Russia .

Even dual seeker is going forward already in mica missile. Others will catch up soon as it's logical when bvr and CCM are overlapping each other.
Nothing really cutting edge into this.

The question I'm asking why is USA not decades ahead in air to air weaponry as it is in Stealth tech or jet engine tech?

 

[IndianHawk]

Since F135-PW-100's military thrust is known (at least in public) to be 28,000 lbf (128 kN) then it could be bumped to 30,800 lbf (140.8kN) while its afterburning thrust could go up to 47,300 lbf (210.10 kN)from its current 43,000 lbf (191 kN) with afterburner. These are massive numbers.

All these impressive bump in thrust figures are achieved with 25% fuel efficiency.

That is indeed impressive if they pull it off. Given they have put 3 billion dollars into it India should learn a lesson here and open purse for jet engine development.

We have barely spent a billion on Kaveri when we have no previous engine while USA is spending 3 billion and more for just an upgrade to existing robust engine.

 

[asianobserve]

That's the point . Latest tech is scramjet. Given USA spending on defense one would think USA will be decades ahead of rivals in operationalizing an scramjet based aam. But that hasn't happened.

USA is not only behind Europe here but barely a few years ahead of India/ Russia .

Even dual seeker is going forward already in mica missile. Others will catch up soon as it's logical when bvr and CCM are overlapping each other.
Nothing really cutting edge into this.

The question I'm asking why is USA not decades ahead in air to air weaponry as it is in Stealth tech or jet engine tech?

The US has several scramjet engine projects. But I believe scramjet engine is not practical for A2A missiles. In fact no country is pursuing

That's the point . Latest tech is scramjet. Given USA spending on defense one would think USA will be decades ahead of rivals in operationalizing an scramjet based aam. But that hasn't happened.

USA is not only behind Europe here but barely a few years ahead of India/ Russia .

Even dual seeker is going forward already in mica missile. Others will catch up soon as it's logical when bvr and CCM are overlapping each other.
Nothing really cutting edge into this.

The question I'm asking why is USA not decades ahead in air to air weaponry as it is in Stealth tech or jet engine tech?

There's no scramjet application for A2A missiles. At least not yet.

The US is decades away from its rivals in air 2 air weaponry. AMRAAM have been in service for almost 3 decades now and yet its challengers like Meteor, Chinese are only coming to service and have yet to even see action. In the meantime the US is already moving to its next gen long range A2A missile AIM 260.

 

[asianobserve]

That is indeed impressive if they pull it off. Given they have put 3 billion dollars into it India should learn a lesson here and open purse for jet engine development.

We have barely spent a billion on Kaveri when we have no previous engine while USA is spending 3 billion and more for just an upgrade to existing robust engine.

GE Adaptive Cycle Engine is not simply an upgrade to the F135, which is manufactured by Pratt & Withney. This engine is an altogether new engine.

P&W has already successfully made upgrades to its F135. One is called Growth Option 1.0 which offers 10 percent more thrust than the F135’s current thrust and 5 percent better fuel burn. That's a significant leap in performance.

Here's a video of this upgrade:

 

[IndianHawk]

The US has several scramjet engine projects. But I believe scramjet engine is not practical for A2A missiles. In fact no country is pursuing


There's no scramjet application for A2A missiles. At least not yet.

The US is decades away from its rivals in air 2 air weaponry. AMRAAM have been in service for almost 3 decades now and yet its challengers like Meteor, Chinese are only coming to service and have yet to even see action. In the meantime the US is already moving to its next gen long range A2A missile AIM 260.

Are you serious ? Meteor outclasses existing aim class missiles and USA aim 260 which is only in development will be no better than meteor.

All latest tech for air to air missile is solid fuel ducted motors. meteor has it . Sfdr tested had it and aim 260 will have it. USA is simply late to the party here.

 

[asianobserve]

Are you serious ? Meteor outclasses existing aim class missiles and USA aim 260 which is only in development will be no better than meteor.

All latest tech for air to air missile is solid fuel ducted motors. meteor has it . Sfdr tested had it and aim 260 will have it. USA is simply late to the party here.

Outclasses in what area? The only clear advantage of Meteor over AIM120 is propulsion. But AIM120D's 100km+ range and 70 km NEZ is competitive woth Meteor.

Besides, if Meteor is really insurmountable in performance then the US can simply buy its body and mate it with its own seeker much like what Japan is tring to do with Meteor body and its own AESA radar seeker.

But the US should have good reasons to go for purely rocket propulsion in its new long range AIM-260. We'll soon fond out more details of this missile which will be the new gold standard of medium to long range AAM much like AIM-120 was in 3 decades of service.

 

[IndianHawk]

Outclasses in what area? The only clear advantage of Meteor over AIM120 is propulsion. But AIM120D's 100km+ range and 70 km NEZ is competitive woth Meteor.

Besides, if Meteor is really insurmountable in performance then the US can simply buy its body and mate it with its own seeker much like what Japan is tring to do with Meteor body and its own AESA radar seeker.

But the US should have good reasons to go for purely rocket propulsion in its new long range AIM-260. We'll soon fond out more details of this missile which will be the new gold standard of medium to long range AAM much like AIM-120 was in 3 decades of service.

Propulsion is the heart of missile! Meteor has solid fuel ducted motor with ramjet. Aim120 doesn't have it. So this equal equal range is American fanboyism. Meteor range has no match in aim 120d . Neither does aim120d escape zone meets that of meteor.

These are redundant arguments. Yes USA can buy meteor but that just proves USA is behind the game while investing far more money .

Maybe if American can finally get ramjet right into aim260 it will become better but today gold standard is meteor and American tech here is just silver level.

 

[asianobserve]

Propulsion is the heart of missile! Meteor has solid fuel ducted motor with ramjet. Aim120 doesn't have it. So this equal equal range is American fanboyism. Meteor range has no match in aim 120d . Neither does aim120d escape zone meets that of meteor.

I would not be surprised if AIM120D was improved using data from stealth features of America's own stealth fighters as a hedge against emerging 5th gen copycats or 4.5th gen fighters.

These are redundant arguments. Yes USA can buy meteor but that just proves USA is behind the game while investing far more money .

Maybe if American can finally get ramjet right into aim260 it will become better but today gold standard is meteor and American tech here is just silver level.

Propulsion is just part of it. Other equally important parts of an AAM are seeker/s, softwares and algorithms both to ensure a successful hit or to distinguish the target from decoys, and warhead. AMRAAM's system in the current AIM120D is the pinnacle of refinements of all integrated systems, most due to lessons the Americans learned from actual combat use of this missile and from its vast collection of new electronic signals data on potential opposing aircrafts.