AFRL calculates adaptive technology will improve engine fuel efficiency by 25% over the F135 powering the F-35, increasing aircraft combat radius by 25-30% and persistence by 30-40%. The engine could also help address the anti-access/area-denial challenges posed by a potential conflict with an near-peer adversary such as China, says AFRL. This could be achieved via increasing supersonic-cruise radius by 50% and reducing the aerial-refueling tanker burden by 30-74%.Go to his site to read the whole thing but yeah. You read that right. Even before the F-35 enters frontline service plans are already being laid for the airplane that the USMC, USN, USAF and our allies are going to depend on....WILL SUPER CRUISE!
I love it!
If the F-35 can supercruise now, a useful amount, Bill Sweetman will shit bricks.
ReplyDeleteWhile we'd all like to see that, in all probability he'll claim that supercruise is a range/endurance killing gimmick.
DeleteFrom jsf.mil:
ReplyDelete"Does the F-35 supercruise? No, neither the F135 or F136 engines were designed to supercruise."
dude. the air force research lab is saying that they're working to make those engines super cruise. whats the point of me posting links if you're not going to read them.
ReplyDeleteAnd probably at a 100% increase in cost.
ReplyDelete