More than four years before the aircraft is scheduled to enter service, the US Navy already is considering modifying the Lockheed Martin F-35C to perform future missions beyond 2030.
Navy officials announced on 9 September that an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the FA-XX aircraft would begin in calendar year 2015 and will consider modifying both the F-35C and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, as well as building a new aircraft to fulfil the requirement.
In the meantime, the Navy will host a series of technical interchange meetings (TIMs) with contractors “for the purposes of trade space refinement as a precursor” to the AoA.
The process began in 2012 with the release on a request for information (RFI) on aircraft concepts, technologies and capabilities “projected into future combat scenarios in the 2030 timeframe,” when the service foresees initial operating capability (IOC). The Navy’s F-35C is scheduled to reach IOC in 2019, after both the air force and Marine Corps versions have come online.
The documents released on 9 September list focus areas for individual TIMs, including modification of current aircraft and specifically names the Boeing F/A-18E/F and F-35C. Another of the meetings will focus on the possibility of building a new-start aircraft. The service is also asking for information on the projected technology readiness level of each proposal for 2020.
Some possible modifications of the existing carrier-based fleet have already appeared. The navy has discussed stealth modifications to the F/A-18E/F, while GE has studied more powerful engines enabled by expanded inlets. Meanwhile, the F-35 has long been discussed as possible benefactor of adaptive propulsion, in which the ratios of bypass and perhaps even compression airflow can be made variable to improve efficiency.
FA-XX is slated to replace the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. The original RFI says it will compliment other aircraft in navy carrier air wings including the F-35C and whatever aircraft emerges from the ongoing unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) programme.
The aircraft is intended to serve multiple missions in an anti-access, area-denial environment. The RFI lists air warfare, strike warfare, surface warfare and close air support as possible missions. Navy officials also want to collect information on covering air-to-air refuelling, tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition and airborne electronic attack.
The service is open to unmanned, optionally manned and manned aircraft.
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