Fifth Generation Targets:
Sierra Nevada is making progress on their 5th gen target for the USAF. The drone is 40 ft long, 24 ft wing span, has an endurance of 1 1/2 hours, can reach 40k ft, weighs 9,600 lbs, and can takeoff and land from a runway.
China has displayed potential targets at its expos.
Sixth Generation Fighters:
Will the 6th gen fighters be revolutionary?
Will the Tempest 6th gen fighter enhance or detract from the US-UK partnership? Is the Tempest just a pipe dream?
The Franco-German FCAS will dramatically reduce the number of American parts used to avoid US export rules.
United Technologies will have a functioning F-35 sized advanced engine by 2022 based on the contract they were just awarded by the USAF for the AETD.
Chinese VSTOL:
Could Russia be helping China develop its own VSTOL like the F-35B?
MQ-25:
Is the Boeing MQ-25 actually pretty stealthy?
Su-57:
One paper in Russia has stated they do not think the SU-57 (and other '5th gen' platforms) will ever see full rate ("serial") production.
AvWeek claims the Russian gov finally ordered the Su-57 on August 22.
J-20:
The WS-15 engine might finally be fixed. This would correct a real problem the J-20 has had (being underpowered).
Japanese Next Gen Fighter:
Will the Northrop YF-23 be the basis for their design for Japan's next gen fighter?
Lockheed is pitching a hybrid of the F-22 and F-35 to the USAF. It would use the F-35's avionics and new stealth coatings while keeping the F-22's bauplan. The cost per plane if 140 are ordered is $190M. Some are stating the 6th gen fighter might take decades as the reason Lockheed is pitching the FrankenRaptor or F-22C. This is the same aircraft it is offering to Japan. The weird thing is how that is even remotely possible: the F-22 was banned from export by law. However, the Secretary of the Air Force just shot the whole thing down. The USAF is not buying the F-22C or the F-15X.
PAK-DA:
Tupolev claims the first flight of the PAK-DA will be mid 2020; however, they have stated the modernization program for the Tu-160 White Swan has eaten up too many resources and that is the reason for the delay of the PAK-DA. The PAK-DA may never get made, but not because of money problems. Rather it is because of a lack of specially trained personnel working for Tupolev.
Supposedly, the Russian equivalent of a PDR was completed for the PAK-DA.
B-2:
The B-2 got a new ejection seat.
F-22:
An old F-22 that was hangared because it needed costly upgrades, has been repaired and returned to flight status.
Watch F-22s leave Spangenhlem AFB.
F-22s intercepted Russian bombers near Alaska.
And it happened again. This time the bombers had Russian fighter escorts.
F-35:
Sierra Nevada is making progress on their 5th gen target for the USAF. The drone is 40 ft long, 24 ft wing span, has an endurance of 1 1/2 hours, can reach 40k ft, weighs 9,600 lbs, and can takeoff and land from a runway.
China has displayed potential targets at its expos.
Sixth Generation Fighters:
Will the 6th gen fighters be revolutionary?
Will the Tempest 6th gen fighter enhance or detract from the US-UK partnership? Is the Tempest just a pipe dream?
The Franco-German FCAS will dramatically reduce the number of American parts used to avoid US export rules.
United Technologies will have a functioning F-35 sized advanced engine by 2022 based on the contract they were just awarded by the USAF for the AETD.
Chinese VSTOL:
Could Russia be helping China develop its own VSTOL like the F-35B?
MQ-25:
Is the Boeing MQ-25 actually pretty stealthy?
Su-57:
One paper in Russia has stated they do not think the SU-57 (and other '5th gen' platforms) will ever see full rate ("serial") production.
AvWeek claims the Russian gov finally ordered the Su-57 on August 22.
J-20:
The WS-15 engine might finally be fixed. This would correct a real problem the J-20 has had (being underpowered).
Japanese Next Gen Fighter:
Will the Northrop YF-23 be the basis for their design for Japan's next gen fighter?
Lockheed is pitching a hybrid of the F-22 and F-35 to the USAF. It would use the F-35's avionics and new stealth coatings while keeping the F-22's bauplan. The cost per plane if 140 are ordered is $190M. Some are stating the 6th gen fighter might take decades as the reason Lockheed is pitching the FrankenRaptor or F-22C. This is the same aircraft it is offering to Japan. The weird thing is how that is even remotely possible: the F-22 was banned from export by law. However, the Secretary of the Air Force just shot the whole thing down. The USAF is not buying the F-22C or the F-15X.
PAK-DA:
Tupolev claims the first flight of the PAK-DA will be mid 2020; however, they have stated the modernization program for the Tu-160 White Swan has eaten up too many resources and that is the reason for the delay of the PAK-DA. The PAK-DA may never get made, but not because of money problems. Rather it is because of a lack of specially trained personnel working for Tupolev.
Supposedly, the Russian equivalent of a PDR was completed for the PAK-DA.
B-2:
The B-2 got a new ejection seat.
F-22:
An old F-22 that was hangared because it needed costly upgrades, has been repaired and returned to flight status.
Watch F-22s leave Spangenhlem AFB.
F-22s intercepted Russian bombers near Alaska.
And it happened again. This time the bombers had Russian fighter escorts.
F-35:
Some really cool F-35 photos from the Chicago air show.
The F-35 has been making significant progress despite setbacks and criticism.
Some still have an axe to grind against the F-35 program.
USMC has deployed F-35Bs off the coast of Africa for training for the first time. The USMC has redeployed F-35Bs on the USS Essex to the Middle East. The USMC is ready to use the F-35Bs in combat if necessary.
The US Navy has begun operational testing on the USS Lincoln of the F-35C. Videos here.
An F-35C has ingested part of the basket on an F/A-18 refueling the F-35. This caused major damage, but the F-35 made it back to the carrier.
An F-35C has ingested part of the basket on an F/A-18 refueling the F-35. This caused major damage, but the F-35 made it back to the carrier.
The F-35 helmet has an issue that only veteran pilots can do night landings on US Navy aircraft carriers.
The USAF Reserve has its first female F-35 pilot, Colonel Regina "Torch" Sabric.
The USAF Reserve has its first female F-35 pilot, Colonel Regina "Torch" Sabric.
The Brits have started testing the F-35B with the weapons made in the UK.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived in Florida for F-35B trials.
European F-35 operators want to drive down the operational costs.
Israel is expressing interest in the F-35B.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived in Florida for F-35B trials.
European F-35 operators want to drive down the operational costs.
Israel is expressing interest in the F-35B.
Italy sent an F-35 to Belgium. The F-35 was gently 'pet' despite a warning not to touch the fighter.
South Korea's Marine Corps wants a large ship other than the current 15,000 ton Dokodo class to carry the F-35B so they can move an entire division at once.
It is increasingly likely Turkey will be banned from buying the F-35.
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