BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

What happens when the F-22 and F-35 get busy and have a baby? Lately, the idea of a "hybrid" between the F-22 and F-35 seems to be gaining steam.  First proposed to Japan when its self-designed F-3 project fell through, Lockheed is now pitching the idea to The Pentagon . This (sort of) new fighter would take the more modern sensors, avionics, and other newer technology found in the F-35 and modify them to fit the F-22 Raptor.  This new enhanced Raptor would also sport a more modern stealth coating that promises to require maintenance. It is not a bad idea.  Such a beast would not only offer improved capabilities for the F-22, but could actually result in lower flying costs. This new fighter (F-22B?  F-22E?  F-22X?  F-28.5?) would improve on the Raptor's exceptional air-to-air capabilities.  One of the F-22's current weak spots is the absence of any sort of IRST.  The addition of DAS (Distributed Aperture System), combined with a h...

Can we mash these together and make a baby? Unfortunately for fighter buffs, it appears as though Japan may  discontinue its homegrown 5th generation fighter plans . Despite a relatively successful run of its ATD-X, Tokyo has balked at the overwhelming cost of developing it into a combat-ready production model.  The decision is not yet final , but there seems to be little hope left for the " Shinshin ". While Japan is already on the list to receive the F-35, the JSF has always been considered a consolation price for not getting the F-22 .  Unfortunately for  Japan, US law forbade any Raptor exports.  While many would argue that the F-35 is "good enough" it may have a hard time facing Russia's Su-57 and China's J-20 .  This has left Japan pining for a high performance air-superiority fighter to replace its aging F-15J fleet.   So what is Japan to do? Like a superhero leaping into action (or a vulture swooping in) Lockheed Martin is there . ...

Lately, the F-22 Raptor seems be enjoying an upsurge in popularity.   More to the point, some have suggested that F-22s should be bought instead of F-35s .  With the F-35 still facing development issues and unimpressive performance , it is not hard to imagine why.  The argument can even be made that the F-22 was actually cheaper  than the F-35.  Using that reasoning, it would seem like a no-brainer to simply acquire the legendary F-22.   There is very little debate over the F-22's combat effectiveness.  It is the undisputed air-superiority champ.  Fast, maneuverable, and stealthy; the Raptor is still the envy of air forces around the world.  Designed during the Cold War and first flying almost 20 years ago, its capabilities have yet to be equalled.  Even future fighters like the Russian PAK FA and Chinese J-20 may not be able to match the Raptor's lethality.  The F-22 is that damn good. Unfortunately, production ...

VS. ( Sorry about the haphazard updates lately.  Summer is here, the weather is too nice, and great outdoors beckons. ) My last Question of the Week (or so) looked at the potential for using a bomber platform as an air-superiority asset.  A resounding 64% of you think I might need mental health counseling for even asking the question Fair enough. This week (or so)'s question revolves around the need to balance numbers with capability. In most cases with fighter aircraft, you get what you pay for.  Top-notch fighters like the F-22 earn their "air-superiority" classification thanks to their speed, agility, and powerful sensor suite.  The ability to out-run, out-maneuver, and out-shoot an opponent does not come cheap, however.  The F-22 was an incredibly expensive aircraft to develop and build, and it has more than triple the cost-per-flight-hour (CPFH) of the F-16C . Needless to say, during the post-Cold War era of declining defense budgets,...

"PEW PEW PEW!" Captain Buster Junior cleared his throat and spoke loudly and clearly into his helmet microphone. "Computer...  Initiate air combat protocol.  Arm all missiles, activate all electronic warfare modules, and charge up the directed energy weapon." His order was confirmed by the CF/A-55E's onboard artificial intelligence.  "Affirmative.  Sensors confirm two hostile bogeys coming in from the east.  Radar jamming initiated.  Missiles armed.  Fusion cells charged to ninety-eight percent." "Great."  Captain Buster Junior answered.  "Transmit the usual multi-language message stating that they have violated Canadian airspace and..." "CAPTAIN!  Missile launch detected!" The pilot reflexively banked his aircraft into a defensive maneuver and barked back at his aircraft.  "CRAP!  Okay, target that missile with the DEW turret and prepare to fire CUDA missiles!"   "Acknowledged.  Directed Ene...

Sorcery?  Black arts?  Not quite. One can not discuss fighter aircraft these days without mentioning its "stealthiness".  Stealth has become such an overwhelming issue that it has come to define the "Fifth Generation" of fighter jets.  Many even claim that a stealthy aircraft need not worry about other more traditional performance parameters like speed and maneuverability.  "You can't shoot what you can't see!" they say.  It is implied that stealth aircraft fly around completely unseen, like some sort of ninja in the sky. So how does stealth work? I am not going to pretend that this is a definitive thesis on the subject.  Modern stealth design is complicated stuff.  It is far from wizardry however.   Radar Radar is, in simplest terms, a form of electromagnet energy.  It is emitted from one source, radiates outward, then bounces off various objects in the atmosphere.  It is invisible to the naked eye, ther...