The proliferation of precision guided artillery munitions is also having an impact on traditional CAS.

The testing program continues to make good progress. I’ve read where there were some concerns that the weight reduction program may have compromised the structural integrity of the airgrame.. apparently not based on the test program.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4113.html

June 9, 2010 (by John R. Kent) – The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program successfully completed F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) full-scale static testing – with zero structural failures – five months ahead of schedule and in less than half the time of legacy programs.

A Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II undergoes static testing at BAE Systems’ Structural & Dynamic Test Laboratory in Brough, England. The testing was completed five months ahead of schedule, and validated that the jet’s airframe can withstand aerodynamic forces 50 percent beyond design limits.
The test program was conducted on AG-1, an F-35A dedicated to validating the strength of the jet’s airframe.

During testing, the strength and stability of the aircraft structure were verified to 150 percent of design limits or 13.5 G’s (force of gravity), with 174 critical load conditions, or pressures, applied to the airframe to evaluate its structural integrity. Testing was conducted predominantly at BAE Systems’ Structural & Dynamic Test Laboratory in Brough, England. The U.K. tests began in August 2009 and were accomplished in 295 days – a rate that exceeded the record-setting pace previously established by the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing static test program.

Mick Ord, BAE Systems managing director for the F-35 program, said, “This was a major milestone, and the test results demonstrate that the F-35 has a fantastic airframe. As a principal subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, one of the capabilities BAE Systems brings to the F-35 programme is our structural test expertise. The structural and dynamic test facility at Brough is a centre of excellence in the U.K. Our team has performed admirably to complete the test schedule on AG-1 ahead of program.”

BrahMos II is said to have a SCRAMJET engine as well. Has it flown already?

A target-rich environment with many opportunities for pilots to make Ace..

Mach 6 is just the beginning, almost the minimum speed needed for SCRAMJET operation.. toddler steps.

As they say, beauty is skin deep.. what lies under the skin is what really matters and waht intrigues me most.

Will wait until both aircraft are operational. Unfortunately this may be in 2020 yet.

The design constraint posed upon USAF by an airplane that is small enough to fit on the carrier flight deck will be as damaging to military utility/mission as the size constraint posed upon F-35 to fit on an LHD’s elevator.

Why limit the aircraft size to a LHD elevator’s size? Isn’t the proposed NGAD expected to operate off CVNs?