By 2020, F-35 Will Be U.S. Most Used Combat Aircraft

According to the plans of Pentagon, the F-35 jet fighter will replace most of the combat aircraft used by the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps by 2020.

F-35 is a fifth generation, single engine fighter with advanced software and stealthy attributes adept in evading radar at hostile territory. It is capable to reach a speed of Mach 1.6, has a range of 1,100 kilometers, and can be refueled in the air. The F-25′s bomb bay can carry two air-to-air missiles and two precision-guided bombs. It can carry and additional four bombs or missiles in its wings.

The version for the U.S. Air Force, the F-35A, will replace the F-16 and F-18 bombers as well as the ground attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt. The F-35C will be manufactured for the US Navy for its aircraft carriers and will take the place of the F/A18s. A third version, the F-35B is a jump jet that is designed the Harrier’s successor.

Lockheed Martin are called to make 2,443 units of F-35 for the American military and several hundred units more for the eight nations who invested in the development and manufacturing of the F-35. The eight nations are Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. Lockheed Martin will also produce units of F-35 for its customers such as Japan and Israel.

Compared to earlier weapons program, the Production cost of the F-35 was expected to be reduced because the 80% of the parts are common to three F-35 airplane models. However, the weapons program are met with problems and delays that can put the Pentagon’s 2020 goal in jeopardy.

F-35 is the future of U.S. air combat. Get F-35 wooden airplane models from Showcase Models.

News source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com

Boeing to unveil stealthier Super Hornet

 

 

Boeing's Super Hornet

 

A mocked up version of Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet will be among the many metal birds to debut at the upcoming Aero India 2011.

Boeing, which is one of the contenders for the $10 billion medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, will unveil a stealthier version of the F/A-18 at the air show to be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka between February 9 and 13.

Boeing’s vice-president for defense, space and security, Vivek Lall, said that one of the two F/A-18s which will be performing at the bi-annual show will be configured with conformal fuel tanks, enhanced performance engines, spherical missile laser warning, enclosed weapons pad, next generation cockpit and internal infrared search and tracking system.

The mocked up aircraft, which will be unveiled at the Aero India will be the first F/A-18 to be developed as part of the ‘International Super Hornet Roadmap’ programme which was announced by the US-based aerospace company at last year’s Farnborough Air Show in the UK.

Labelled as the next evolution of Block II Super Hornet, the aircraft is said to have features “which increase survivability, situational awareness, and performance for customers”.

- dnaindia.com