I’ve often been harassed by claiming that I could design a better fighter jet than the F-22. Perhaps what I meant was I could design one that doesn’t completely ignore the history of air combat and exactly what it is that makes a fighter jet win. To that extent, I’ve scribbled down some criteria that I think would make the most badass fighter jet we’ve seen. This is solely for air-to-air and none of that fighter/bomber bullshit. All numbers are assumed to be with a full load on takeoff.
- First, the weight. Since we know that weight is a bad force when flying, let’s keep it low. Instead of an 80,000lb monstrosity (ehem, Raptor), I’m keeping this one under 30K. Lighter if at all possible.
- To give it the advantage in range, I’m putting the floor of the fuel fraction at .35. The lift/drag should be nice and high as well.
- As for the thrust/weight, I’m shooting for a 2.
- The sensors are where I’m a little unsure. While I would prefer it to have an emphasis on passive sensors, I know nobody would even touch it if it didn’t have a decent radar on it. That’s why I’m thinking AESA, just because they can get a decent amount of power into a smaller device. Hopefully that should save on weight.
- I’ve been really intrigued by the X-29 and the results of forward swept wings with vortex flow control. High angle of attack capabilities without thrust vectoring? I like it.
- Of course it’ll have a bubble canopy, and the agility will be incredible.
So for anyone who knows anything about fighter design, what do you think? I don’t really put any emphasis on stealth or top speed or service ceiling but all those are inherent in the design so long as it is kept small, quick, and isn’t aerodynamically sloppy. The Raptor is none of those things, so I’m already a step ahead. Plus, the cost of this fighter will be much less and therefore allow more of them, another key ingredient to winning in an air-to-air battle. So long as it’s not polluted by the current process of acquisition we have running, this would destroy anything flying today in an even cost analysis.
Real fighter pilots probably just had their wet dreams come true.
Hello Miki,
You might enjoy this website.
Regards.
MaX
Well hey there Max, a pleasure to have you on here. You got me pegged correctly, I do enjoy the LWJF group and the reading material it produces. The fate of the F-20 Tigershark is a crying shame, and it’s worse that the prospects for such planes as the YF-16 or F-20 are getting smaller. But then again, so is the air war altogether.
Wow, your comment has reminded me of how little I’ve contributed to my own blog in the past weeks. I’ve been getting pushed through the live portion of the course down here, so it’s been missions, missions, missions. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to catch up.
I forgot that you ad already signed up.
Thanks.
Do you know if ‘Loggie’ might also be interested ?
“I’ve often been harassed by claiming that I could design a better fighter jet than the F-22.”
You stick to your guns, Mickey, there’s more than enough of the same old
crap circulating these days, and fresh new ideas, and differing
perspectives are in crtiticaly short supply.
MaX
Hey Max,
I don’t know if Loggie would be interested, can’t say I know him very well (as far as online acquaintances go), but you could always ask, couldn’t hurt.
My biggest problem with fighter jet design is my credibility. First off, what kind of say does a guy with just over a year’s experience in the AF (all of which has been training) and a bachelor’s in biochemistry have in aircraft design? All my research is done off line from materials I find myself, so none of my peers really want to discuss things seriously if the topic comes up. Thinking about pursuing another degree from OU in Aero or something related when I get out there. I’m in the process of moving now, so my computer’s sitting up on cardboard boxes and my bed’s an inflatable mattress. Now that’s living!
I guess my other problem is patience and not knowing what the future holds (or should hold) for the AF in terms of fighter aircraft. There’s all the talk of UAV’s and directed energy air defenses etc. etc. but the problem I think about is the nature of war altogether. Will there ever be another air to air war? I can tell you the AF certainly hopes so, it might give the F-22 some actual use. They’re a little embarrassed about having to jerry rig it to carry bombs.
But anyways, that’s my train of thought, the weblargh continues the dry spell until I get back from survival school and move out to Oklahoma, where apparently the wind comes sweeping down the plains or something.