bob_the_impala

bob_the_impala, 10 months ago

Some updates:

Bombers

• Long-Range Bomber Collaborative Aircraft: Early planning stages for autonomous wingmen for the B-21 Raider. Target service date is no earlier than 2040.

Tankers & Transports

• To fully replace the KC-135 and KC-10 IFR tankers, the USAF originally planned on three successive programs: KC-X, KC-Y, and KC-Z. The Boeing KC-46 was selected for the KC-X program. KC-Y was originally planned to be 150 additional tankers, but that has been reduced to 75 aircraft, and could just be additional KC-46 aircraft or perhaps a different aircraft if the KC-46 is unsatisfactory. Target service date for these additional aircraft is 2032. KC-Z has been replaced by the Next-Generation Air refueling System (NGAS), a stealthy, survivable future tanker. This is envisioned as a purpose-built aircraft (instead of a conversion of an existing aircraft), possibly using a blended-wing body (BWB) design. Target service date is 2040. Since this would be a completely new design, perhaps instead of a "KC" designation, the unused "K" tanker designation could be revived for NGAS?

• C-X Strategic Transport: Still in the early stages, this is a proposal for an eventual C-5 and/or C-17 replacement. It would be a long-range strategic airlifter, possibly with stealthy characteristics, that would not need to operate from long runways. Target service date is 2045+.

• Advanced Tactical Transport: Ongoing studies for a stealthy special operations transport. Target service date is around 2030.

Electronic Missions

• E-3 Sentry replacement: The E-7 Wedgetail is being procured as a replacement for the aging E-3 Sentry fleet. Target service date is 2027.

• Penetrating Electronic Attack (PEA): With the retirement of the EF-111 Raven, the USAF had to rely on the US Navy EA-6B and EA-18G Growler for combat jamming and electronic warfare. With the retirement of the EA-6B and reduction of the EA-18G by the Navy, the USAF is planning on this program to regain this capability. The PEA aircraft could potentially be autonomous or semi-autonomous. Target service date is 2030 - 2032.

Fighters

• NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance): Not just a fighter, but planned as a "family of platforms" for air superiority. There would be a manned fighter operating in conjunction with up to five unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft wingmen. At least one demonstrator prototype has already been flown. Target service date is 2030.

• Along with PEA, the USAF was pursuing a Penetrating Combat Aircraft (PCA) program. This likely will be the manned component of NGAD.

• Planned F-16 replacement: Notionally referred to as MR-F or MR-X, still in early planning stages. One possibility would be an armed version of the T-7 Red Tail trainer. Target service date is mid-2030s.

Source

bob_the_impala, 10 months ago

Maybe, but the actual story around the F-35 designation is well documented. Source

On 26 October 2001, a press conference was held at the Pentagon to announce the winner of the JSF competition, held between the Boeing X-32 and the Lockheed Martin X-35. When the X-35 had been declared the winner, one of the questions asked was about the designation for the production JSF. USD ATL (Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics) Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge mentioned the X-35 designator of the Lockheed Martin demonstrators, briefly exchanged a few words with his co-presenter, JSF Program Manager Major General Mike Hough, and then said it would be called "F-35".