AC-130 replacement !

“Turning the wolf into a pack!” Northrop Grumman proposes a vertical lift B-2 concept as a possible AC-130 replacement !!!

In the latest FLIGHT int. issue (28.5-3.6.02) there is an article regarding USAF studies for a future AC-130 replacement. Short term solutions are improved sensors and weapons for the current AC-130H/U …. “The longer-term options are where the wolf pack idea matzures, says Buttler. They include a C-130-size A-X stealthy multirole aircraft, and a variety of advanced weapons including tactical chemical lasers and high-powerd, non-leathal microwave devices capable of causing pain. These would be mounted either in a new-built A-X, or several airframe candidates including a modified Boeing AC-17, Bell Boeing AV-22 Osprey and a special operations B-2 derivate fitted with wing mounted lift fans for vertival take-off and landing.”

Hmmmmm ..?????… Is this a forgotten April-joke ….???? … but anyway this dryawing looks like the long rumoured Senior Citizen project …. but a vertical take-off and landing B-2 sounds alittle bit too strange to me !!!

Any comments ???

Deino 🙂
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