The new issue of Aviation Week has a story about the USAF looking for an interim bomber to supplement the B-2 until a replacemnt arrives sometime in the distant future (2035?).
The service wants an IOC of 2015 and three aircraft ideas have been proposed by Lockheed-Martin.
1. A big wing and stretched F-22. It would be able to carry 2 2,000 lb. GBU-31s and two AMRAAMS in the main weapon bay. Two side bays would carry new small diameter bombs or two AIM-9Xs, and two “low observable” inboard wing pods would carry up to 5000 lbs of stores and finally, two outboard pods would each carry a JASSM. Work is already underway for a larger F119 engine.
2. A C-130J would be a non-stealth, non-penetrating launch vehicle for 8-12 cruise missiles and JASSM-ER jamming warheads.
3. A new short take-off, stealthy, blended wing platorm that could be the basis for a series of aircraft…a bomber, a special ops/intel plane, a gunship, transport, or tanker.
This option L-M says, would be the most expensive and take the most time. But, somebody’s going to have to do a C-130 replacement at some time. Might as well start now.
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December 1, 2004 at 6:17 pm