I have a theory on the classified upgrades that the Navy is funding for the Super Hornet. A little over a year ago this article came out and was widespread for a long time: http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/uv-ray-countermeasures-for-navy-jet-aircraft.html
The Navy specifically stated that they knew stealth technology as it exists now would not last us into the future. However, what the Navy did mention was that IR and UV-based tracking systems were what would eventually kill stealth aircraft and that they would seek to find a way to make a sort of UV cloaking device for aircraft. They also talked about new countermeasure for the future environment here: http://www.technewsdaily.com/5719-navy-hide-aircraft-missiles.html
They mentioned using either particles or micr-crystals instead of flares. Imagine this: an enemy heat-seeking missile is fired at a Super Hornet. The heat-seeking missile uses imagine-infra-red, meaning that flares are useless since it looks for the shape of an aircraft. The Super Hornet suddenly releases a burst of super hot particles or micro-crystal in the direction the missile is coming from. This completely blinds the missile's view and makes it lose track entirely, saving the Super Hornet. Now imagine a device that creates a UV field around the Super Hornet that disguises it from UV rays and can possibly even disrupt or absorb radar waves. What you have is device similar to plasma stealth, but much more effective and much better for hiding from future tracking systems.
What's funny is that the Navy only mentioned this once and then never talked about it again, which I find incredibly suspicious.
Another more practical theory is that the Navy is simply upgrading the Super Hornet with all of the tech from the F-35. They could possibly be doing both.
yeah thats another Sweetman idea that in retrospect makes perfect sense. follow the AirBus model. different airframes but all sharing the same avionics.d
we should have done that with this project. the Navy would have a twin engine fleet fighter, the Air Force would have i don't know what...i don't think they know what they need and then the USMC would probably end up with the F-35 all over again...but they would share the juicy bits----
well aware, but the problem with the UH-1Y is that it has a poorly defined mission. is it a scout, utility or attack helicopter? compared to the much more numerous MH-60 in service with the Army and Navy it performs the utility and attack poorly.
Let's see, would I rather have three of these proven aircraft or one unreliable non-performer currently prohibited from flying close formation, aerobatics, and stalls? (Also anywhere near lightning.) Duh
By the mid-2020s, according to Navy planners, each carrier air wing will include two Super Hornet squadrons and two Lightning II squadrons. Every fourth F-35C squadron will be a Marine unit.
The Navy continues to plan for a fleet of 10 carrier air wings, with 44 strike fighters per wing, organized into 10- and 12-plane squadrons. The Navy will field 35 strike fighter squadrons composed of Super Hornets or F-35Cs, and the Marines will field five F-35C squadrons.
Ultimately, the Lightnings will serve alongside a fleet of 556 F/A-18 Es and Fs.
There is no intention to field an all-F-35 strike fighter force with any carrier air wing, a senior Navy official said. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110314/DEFFEAT04/103140313/U-S-Navy-Details-JSF-Buy
I the US Navy is trying to slowly back away from the F-38C and put their money in the Advance super hornet as a back up in case the F-35C is a Massive flop. Which is why the US navy is smart in having a back up in the waiting, just in case the F-35 becomes a spectacular failure.
One of the biggest mistakes USAF made of all time was going all "stealthy", if they would have bought even just a few F15s or even a few F16s every year, they wouldn't be in this mess of rapidly aging fleet and it sure would have put more pressure on LMT to be more on time and budget. UN Navy can get out of F35C because they still have a back up plan with SH and adv SH.
I have a theory on the classified upgrades that the Navy is funding for the Super Hornet. A little over a year ago this article came out and was widespread for a long time: http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/uv-ray-countermeasures-for-navy-jet-aircraft.html
ReplyDeleteThe Navy specifically stated that they knew stealth technology as it exists now would not last us into the future. However, what the Navy did mention was that IR and UV-based tracking systems were what would eventually kill stealth aircraft and that they would seek to find a way to make a sort of UV cloaking device for aircraft. They also talked about new countermeasure for the future environment here: http://www.technewsdaily.com/5719-navy-hide-aircraft-missiles.html
They mentioned using either particles or micr-crystals instead of flares. Imagine this: an enemy heat-seeking missile is fired at a Super Hornet. The heat-seeking missile uses imagine-infra-red, meaning that flares are useless since it looks for the shape of an aircraft. The Super Hornet suddenly releases a burst of super hot particles or micro-crystal in the direction the missile is coming from. This completely blinds the missile's view and makes it lose track entirely, saving the Super Hornet. Now imagine a device that creates a UV field around the Super Hornet that disguises it from UV rays and can possibly even disrupt or absorb radar waves. What you have is device similar to plasma stealth, but much more effective and much better for hiding from future tracking systems.
What's funny is that the Navy only mentioned this once and then never talked about it again, which I find incredibly suspicious.
Another more practical theory is that the Navy is simply upgrading the Super Hornet with all of the tech from the F-35. They could possibly be doing both.
Deleteyeah thats another Sweetman idea that in retrospect makes perfect sense. follow the AirBus model. different airframes but all sharing the same avionics.d
Deletewe should have done that with this project. the Navy would have a twin engine fleet fighter, the Air Force would have i don't know what...i don't think they know what they need and then the USMC would probably end up with the F-35 all over again...but they would share the juicy bits----
You mean sort-of-like like AH-1Z and UH-1Y ?
DeleteSharing drivetrain and cockpit-basics in two very different envelopes ?
well aware, but the problem with the UH-1Y is that it has a poorly defined mission. is it a scout, utility or attack helicopter? compared to the much more numerous MH-60 in service with the Army and Navy it performs the utility and attack poorly.
DeleteLet's see, would I rather have three of these proven aircraft or one unreliable non-performer currently prohibited from flying close formation, aerobatics, and stalls? (Also anywhere near lightning.) Duh
ReplyDeleteIf you had F35s on CVs then what would you have for A2A?
DeleteBy the mid-2020s, according to Navy planners, each carrier air wing will include two Super Hornet squadrons and two Lightning II squadrons. Every fourth F-35C squadron will be a Marine unit.
DeleteThe Navy continues to plan for a fleet of 10 carrier air wings, with 44 strike fighters per wing, organized into 10- and 12-plane squadrons. The Navy will field 35 strike fighter squadrons composed of Super Hornets or F-35Cs, and the Marines will field five F-35C squadrons.
Ultimately, the Lightnings will serve alongside a fleet of 556 F/A-18 Es and Fs.
There is no intention to field an all-F-35 strike fighter force with any carrier air wing, a senior Navy official said.
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110314/DEFFEAT04/103140313/U-S-Navy-Details-JSF-Buy
I the US Navy is trying to slowly back away from the F-38C and put their money in the Advance super hornet as a back up in case the F-35C is a Massive flop. Which is why the US navy is smart in having a back up in the waiting, just in case the F-35 becomes a spectacular failure.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest mistakes USAF made of all time was going all "stealthy", if they would have bought even just a few F15s or even a few F16s every year, they wouldn't be in this mess of rapidly aging fleet and it sure would have put more pressure on LMT to be more on time and budget. UN Navy can get out of F35C because they still have a back up plan with SH and adv SH.
ReplyDelete