Stealth Saga #69

Have Blue & Tacit Blue:

A test pilot that flew both the Tacit Blue and Have Blue prototypes recounts his experiences.

X-2:

Japan will conclude the X-2 program in March 2018.  The RCS was better than expected and all the data required was gathered in 34 flights.  What the path forward for the F-3 program will be will be based on the evaluation of the X-2 data brings to light.  Two options being considered are building a fighter indigenously or with a foreign partner.

FC-31/J-31:

Is the FC-31 being used to help sell...cars?

FGFA:

The Russians are trying to convince the Indians to not abandon the Su-57 derivative for India's first stealth aircraft.

Su-57:

A Su-57 prototype flew with the new engine for around 17 minutes.

Is the Su-57 program toast though?  Some think so.

B-21:

Is the construction at Area 51 related to the B-21 Raider?

B-2:

The B-2 Spirit might be deployed to South Korea for exercises.

The B-2 is getting a new GPS receiver.

F-22:

Six F-22s arrived in South Korea for exercises.

Watch an F-22 hunt and kill an A-4 in an exercise.

An F-22 can actually save fuel by flying faster.  

F-35:

US DOD gave Pratt & Whitney a $351 million contract for logistics and maintenance on the F135 engine.

South Korean media are reporting USAF F-35As deployed to the Korean Peninsula right after the F-22s.  They are both participating in exercises with South Korea.

Does the US Navy actually think the F-35C is important to the carrier air wing?

Some are STILL angry over the F-35 program.

Lockheed certified various weapons for the F-35.

Lockheed is touting the synthetic training capabilities of the F-35.

The F-35 is undergoing cold weather testing in Alaska.

Israel has declared its F-35I to be combat operational.

Two Dutch F-35s did a flyover in Star Wars canyon.

Drag chute deployment tests are underway in Alaska for the Dutch and Norwegian F-35s.

The Netherlands might have problems paying for their last three F-35As due to currency exchange rates.

Counter Stealth:

China is attempting to build a satellite based imaging system that can detect stealth aircraft.

Stealth Saga #62

6th Generation Fighters:

Japan has teamed with Britain to study its next generation fighter.

The penetrating counter air system may be fast tracked and only a small number bought.

The PCA program under the Trump budget was $143 million.

The NGAD/F-X program may have merged with the PCA program.  The new budget under the latest Trump proposed budget is $294 million.

Some are saying the FA-XX really ought to be an F-14 replacement rather than for the F/A-18.

Engine studies have ramped up for the USAF F-X and USN FA-XX 6th generation fighters.

Will the MiG-41 actually be a sixth gen platform?

F-313:

Iran's "stealth" fighter has started taxi tests much to everyone's surprise.

TFX:

Rolls Royce has formed a joint venture to produce the engines for the Turkish indigenous 5th generation fighter.

KFX:

South Korea has selected Elta Systems to develop the KFX's radar.

FGFA:

The Russians are claiming they are on the cusp of signing the next deal related to the PAK-FA derived FGFA with India.  India is...silent.

PAK-FA:

The ninth PAK-FA/T-50 fighter prototype had its first flight.

The Russians claim the next gen engine is nearing readiness for the PAK-FA.

The Russians are claiming deliveries will start in 2019.  This is a slip by another year.

The PAK-FA avionics are advanced enough to do most of the flying for the pilot (supposedly).

The PAK-FA will carry an antiship cruise missile, confirming the PAK-FA is a multirole fighter rather than an air superiority specialist.

PAK-DA:

The PAK-DA has a digital model completed.  Presuma bly this is a completion of the CAD drawings rather than just another rendering.

The PAK-DA's first flight has been postponed until 2025.

The whole program is in question given the funding problems and given the announcement of the purchase of 50 new Tu-160 White Swan bombers, its looking rather likely the PAK-DA program may go the way of the MiG 1.44.

FC-31/J-31:

Shenyang has been continuing development of the FC-31/J-31 stealth fighter.

J-20:

The Chinese J-20 stealth fighter has entered service and achieved at least by American parlance, initial operating capability.

B-21:

The inspector general for the Pentagon is worried the B-21 program is excessively secret.The USAF is extremely reluctant to say anything about the program.

The B-21 program took a small budgetary hair cut, losing $20 million.

The USAF is starting to talk about needing 165 B-21 Raider stealth bombers.

KC-Z:

The next generation tanker may not be truly stealthy but then again reports are mixed.

F-22:

It appears the Russians might have tried to lure F-22s into an 'intel trap.'

F-22 can now use upgraded missiles.

Even after Trump's missile strike in Syria, the F-22 is just fine patrolling there.  However, if shooting started some have questions whether the F-22 would do well against the newest Russian air defenses in Syria.

How the F-22 and the F-35 will communicate and share data is still TBD.

Two F-22s escorted an airliner when there was a problem onboard with a passenger.

The F-22 avionics flying testbed is now based in St Louis.

F-35:

The Australian Air Force will have an air force entirely made up of F-35s by 2025.  They have ordered 72 F-35As.

The British F-35Bs will have the Meteor missile starting in 2024.

Germany has requested a classified briefing on the F-35 for procurement purposes.

Israel has taken delivery of three more F-35Is bringing their total to five.

Israel will get a special order, sensor laden F-35 for testing.

IAI is seeking engine work contracts for the F-35.

The first Italian built F-35B has been rolled out.

Norway has begun testing parachute braking on the F-35.

Taiwan is inquiring about procuring the F-35.  Normally, that would be a nonstarter.  However, under the Trump administration, who knows?

The GAO is warning of an increase of costs of $1.7 billion and a year delay in the F-35 program.

Some are arguing we ought to be buying F-35s faster.

The F-35 order from the proposed FY2018 budget is 46 F-35As, 20 F-35Bs & 4 F-35Cs.

Will the F-35 be the next jet for the Thunderbirds?

The USAF has lifted the ban on lighweight fighter pilots for the F-35A.

USAF F-35As toured and exercised in Europe.  Starting in Britain, hitting Estonia and Bulgaria along the way.

Hill AFB will be standing up its 4th F-35A squadron and the second combat coded one.

F-35As will participate in the Paris airshow.

QF-16 drones exercised with F-35s to practice working on jamming techniques.

What it is like to train new USAF pilots on the F-35?

USMC has completed gunpod testing on the F-35B.

USMC F-35Bs participated in Northern Edge exercise in Alaska for the first time.

The USMC wants to put 20 F-35Bs on its first few America class assault ships to act as mini carriers.

Lockheed was awarded the contract to upgrade the F-35s to the latest avionics software version.

Lockheed claims to have improved the F-35 logistics system.

A US Navy F-35C tested that software and dropped a bomb on a moving target.

Stealth Saga #59

ATD-X/X-2/F-3:

The proposed F-3 fighter is planned to be bigger than the F-22.

FC-31:

More on the new testing.

An a bit more: the Chinese are reportedly offering the FC-31 for $70 million (vs F-35 for $105M).

And more still.  Jane's states there are significant changes.

And one last one.

J-20:

The J-20 program is being called the most complicated and riskiest program for China yet.

PAK-FA:

Russia is claiming it will declare IOC (or russian equivalent) for the PAK-FA in 2017.

Some think the Russians are exaggerating the PAK-FA's capabilities.

Sixth Generation Fighter:

Why Russia and China should fear the US Sixth Generation Fighters.

B-21 Raider:

Will the B-21 bring new stealth tech to the light?

F-117:

In 1986, Reagan offered Thatcher (and Britain, dur) the then very secret F-117 stealth fighter.  Britain, obviously, declined.

F-22:

Lockheed just won a $61M sustainment contract for the F-22.

F-22 & F-35:

A nice side by side comparison of the F-22 and F-35 when they fly in formation at RIAT.

F-35:

Some are stating the F-35 may never be combat ready.

Lockheed's CEO has committed to driving down the price of the F-35.

Lockheed won a $450M contract for the F-35.

Soon-to-be President Trump's sniping at the F-35 is threatening the program.

Trump's proposal to replace the F-35 with an upgraded F/A-18E/F is met with derision.

Counter Stealth:

Supposedly, the new E-2 Hawkeye can detect stealth aircraft.

META:

War on the Rocks looks at the future of air superiority.

Stealth Saga #14: History! China! And Bombers! Oh MY!

More information has come to light about Chinese plans for the FC-31/J-31 stealth fighter. 


Supporters of the Long Range Strike Bomber are calling on the US Air Force to formally commit to buying 100 bombers instead of 80 to 100.  After all, the LRS-B/B-3 is going to be the backbone of the bomber force in the future.

Cracks have been found in the wing spars of the F-35C.

From stealth aircraft history, why did the YF-22 beat out the YF-23 in the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition for the first 5th generation fighter?

Aviation Industry Corporation of China Reveals Information About J-31/FC-31 Gyrfalcon Stealth Fighter, Lacks Launch Customer

China showcased its first stealth fighter jet here on the opening day of the Dubai Air Show, but so far the fifth-generation aircraft has no customers in sight.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is “in negotiations” with the Chinese Air Force to buy the multi-role FC-31, AVIC project manager Lin Peng told reporters on Sunday. Peng declined to say when a deal would be finalized.

Top company officials briefed the media on the stealth characteristics and attack capabilities of the FC-31, but did not take questions from the audience.

link.

No details were given about the FC-31’s sensor suite or weapons, but AVIC says this equipment and communications equipment can be tailored to customer requirements.

The aircraft has six external hardpoints, with an internal weapons bay that can carry a further four munitions. Payload is 8,000kg (17,600lb), of which 2,000kg can be carried internally. Combat radius with internal weapons is 648nm (1,200km), and maximum take-off weight is 55,000kg.

The first flight of a production example is planned for 2019, followed by initial operating capability in 2022 and final operating capability three years' later.

link.

Stealth Saga #9

China is poised to start exporting the J-31/FC-31 Gyrfalcon.

Japan will decide whether or not to go ahead with its indigenous stealth fighter program by FY2018.

Flight Global has an analysis of the troubled South Korean KF-X program. 

SecDef Carter formally rejected export of the four technologies the South Korean KF-X program was counting on.

No matter who wins the Long Range Strike Bomber contract, the aerospace defense industrial base is in danger due to the lack of new contracts.

What should the Sixth Generation Fighters be like?  An article at War is Boring argues for the idea the FA-XX ought to be a F-14 replacement rather than an F/A-18E/F replacement.

The F-22 is better than any other fighter out there, but there are too few of them and they are being managed badly.

Canada's election will determine what role the country will play in the F-35 program, subcontractor or buyer?

Norway is proposing a significant defense budget increase including doubly the funding for the F-35 and requesting six more F-35s in the budget.

The F-35C completed its testing aboard the Eisenhower.  There are lots of videos floating around.   So far, now word whether or not the JPALS testing was successful. The next round of shipboard testing will take place summer of 2016.

Apparently, there is a risk to middle weight pilots as well as lightweight pilots for injury during ejection.  The risk comes from the very heavy helmet the F-35 has.

Stealth Saga #8: Setbacks, Bulling Ahead and Progress

The plot thickens on the F-35/KF-X scandal in South Korea.

Despite the setbacks, the South Korean government will be pushing the KF-X program on schedule.

The Indians continue to worry about their cooperation with the Russians on the FGFA/PAK-FA program.

India is starting to emphasize the AMCA 5th generation fighter program over the FGFA.

A Canadian defense rag claims the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter doesn't qualify as a 5th gen fighter!

The Chinese FC-31/J-31 is being promoted as a replacement for the JF-17 in export markets.

A US Congressman notes the Chinese J-20 and J-31 'mirror' the F-22 and F-35.

A new book claims the 'Stealth-hawk' used in the bin Laden raid was one of two prototypes that were built.  Other sources are claiming nonsense.

The Long Range Strike Bomber contract has been delayed at least two months.

However, the LRS-B program has two prototypes already and will award the contract even if Congress is dumber than dumb and does a continuing resolution for the full year.

There are hints the LRS-B program may get accelerated. 

The F-35C returns to sea for testing on October 5th.  Turns out this was moved up to October 2nd.

The F-35 has done its first external weapon release.

Norway has reaffirmed its intent to buy 52 F-35s.

Lockheed is already started work on how to place its fiber lasers onto the F-35.

Northrop has completed the first center fuselage for Japan's first F-35A.

Stealth Saga #7: Slips, Blunders and Anticipation

The PAK-FA/T-50 will be tested in wargames next year.

The PAK-FA has been officially delayed at least until 2017: supposedly, it will be a total of 12 fighters.  If it does, development slips are quite common.

The PAK-FA will be equipped with a new Mach 3.5 anti radiation missile from the get-go.  This will help it in an anti AWACS and SEAD role as it will be possible to carry it internally.

More information on the public 'leak' of the Chinese FC-31/J-31 stealth fighter.

How China is catching up to the US with its stealth technology.

South Korea's KF-X stealth fighter project is endangered because they have failed to secure four critical technologies.  There was a hint the project would be delayed whether or not they got the tech transfers though.

The KF-X program gets blasted by the press many times.

Turkey's selection of the engine for its F-X stealth fighter project is critical.

Boeing in the 1960s looked into stealth technology with its semi successful model 'Quiet Bird.'

The Long Range Strike Bomber contract is still a toss up.

Lessons from the LRS-B program are going to be applied to the Long Range Strike Weapon and T-X.

The US Air Force is considering an F-22 base in Europe.

General Carlisle considers ending F-22 production at 195 a complete mistake, wants to restart production, but realizes it is unlikely given the budget realities.  Foxtrot Alpha reiterates the fact shutting down F-22 production was a mistake.

Canada may not be able to afford the F-35 due to the falling Canadian dollar.  The Liberal Party in Canada has stated it will not buy the F-35 if it wins the election.

The first F-35 for Norway has been rolled out

General Bogdan is more than confident the F-35 will be more than a match for any aircraft currently under development, inclusive of the J-20, PAK-FA and J-31.

The F-35C shipboard testing will include a  full internal weapons load and the new helmet.

FC-31 Fighter may Have Defects

While the twin-engine plane made by Shenyang Aircraft Corp. sort of resembles the U.S. military’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter made by Lockheed Martin Corp., it reportedly has design defects that cause it to lose altitude as it enters into turns.

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Pakistan Confirms in Negotiations for Chinese FC-31 Stealth Fighter, Z-10 Attack Helicopter

Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain told Dawn on Friday the matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities.

It is for the first time that a senior government functionary has confirmed talks with China over purchase of the longer-range stealth aircraft — an issue that has been a subject of speculation in defence circles since the 10th edition of the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this month, when the aircraft was unveiled.

The Jane’s Defence Weekly had quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the PAF was holding talks with China for the purchase of 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighter planes and that discussions had gone beyond initial inquiries.

The FC-31 is being developed by China primarily for the export market. Chinese officials claim that several countries have expressed interest in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company for a couple of years now.

What particularly interests the PAF is that FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same Russian Klimov RD-93 engines.

Pakistan is increasingly relying on China as a reliable source for its defence procurements.

Mr Hussain said that Pakistan was also interested in Chinese attack helicopter Z-10.

link.

Pakistan is Negotiating for 30 to 40 Chinese FC-31 Stealth Fighters

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is in talks with China to buy 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 twin-engined stealth fighter displayed at Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, a senior Pakistani government official has revealed to IHS Jane's .

"The discussions are beyond initial inquiries and they fit into the pattern of Pakistan being the first export customer of Chinese [military] hardware," said the official.

The FC-31 was unveiled as an export model at Zhuhai, although a prototype with the J-31 designation has been flying at a Shenyang Aircraft Corporation facility since 2012.

link.

Oops! China's FC-31 Export Fighter is NOT the Same at the J-31Stealth Fighter, Called 4th Gen

State-owned aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company (SAC) showcased its FC-31 twin-engined, medium multirole stealth fighter design at Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai.

SAC, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), calls the FC-31 a "4th-Generation Multipurpose Medium Fighter". The new concept is based predominantly - if not entirely - on its ongoing J-31 Falcon Eagle development programme.

However, the 1:2 scale representation displayed at AVIC's pavilion features a number of visible changes to the J-31 prototype (aircraft number 31001) seen flying in the past two years, which is also performing flight demonstrations at this year's show.

An electro-optical and sensor system (EOSS) turret on the underside of the nosecone makes an appearance for the first time in the Falcon Eagle's development history, indicating that the production aircraft could feature enhanced air-to-ground strike capabilities. IHS Jane's All The World's Aircraft lists its large twin internal payload bay as spanning a third of the overall length of the aircraft and capable of carrying an estimated payload of 2,268 kg (5,000 lb). It is also not known if the FC-31 is equipped with external stores carrying capability.

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