An x-32 lite derived design would be pretty neat. Remember it’s not really the airframe design that ratchets up cost, it’s all the little pieces of the puzzle thrown into it. Boeing could whip it up pretty quickly.
Don’t just offer a second seat, BUT make a single-seater AND tout UCAV-derived exterior-cockpit training features to revolutionize training. (Why does a trainer need a rear seat anyway?) It cuts down weight and the need for multiple pilots in the back seat! Combining safe training height restrictions, FBW, and UCAV-like co-piloting is a great safety initiative. Cut the overall dimensional design to three-quarters its old size.
Height: 17 ft (similar to original)
Length: 35 ft
Wingspan: 32 ft
Wing area: 400 ft²
MTOW: 30,000 lbs
Aim for simplicity. Use F-16 subcontractors for landing gear. Stick to proven wing from the original Hornet. Avoid the fiasco aiming for delta wing by using separate wing and tail-planes. Stick with the GE F4x4-family if the competition is so high on it, but offer a non-afterburning F100/F110 option. Modular engine department for easy engine swaps. Modular cockpits for future growth. Optional modular space for an M197 Gatling gun. Simple weapons bays for captive missile support; don’t sell internal weapon carriage in the trainer version. Note that the wing is fully configurable for exterior weapons. Although it looks stealth, don’t promise it. Get foot in door for possible future stealth sales to FMS clients.
Sign In
