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> Aircraft that are more expendable and can be upgraded with new tech quickly and at less cost. I'm just a putz in an armchair, but I've been reading a lot of

> Aircraft that are more expendable and can be upgraded with new tech quickly and at less cost. I'm just a putz in an armchair, but I've been reading a lot of the think tank docs about this stuff recently. We could get a ton of value out of a simple platform. My guess of what it looks like: * 2 seat, enough cabin for long manned missions * optional autonomous or remote piloting features * primarily subsonic, but perhaps with a dash capability * no expectation of high speed high g maneuvering * oversized electrical generation * bomb truck for 16+ SDB's * missile truck for enough AIM-120's, etc to defend itself * open platform designed for continuous upgrade of radar, EW, EO, etc * only low cost stealth features * enough fuel capacity to loiter in theater Something like this could be pretty cheap to fly and provide a lot of flexible capability as a truck for state of the art electronic systems and the emerging generation of smart munitions. It'd still be relevant in an increasingly drone dominated future as an optionally manned node in the "flying network". Leave the missions that require more extreme capabilities to more specialized aircraft. Do all the basic stuff with something cheap.

a3n 11y ago
Sounds like a next gen A10 warthog
poof131 11y ago
I’m not 100% sure how I’d tackle this problem, but the plane you described could play a roll. It’s not poorly thought out by any means. Generally, I’m a fan of a diverse set of assets for survivability and cost. Focus on specific missions instead of trying to do everything. For Air-to-Air the Mig-21 Bison is an interesting example of upgradable lower tech aircraft.[1] Currently, I think the ability to go fast is still an asset to defeat missiles and would be a severe limitation of a slower platform (okay if it’s unmanned and cheap though). High tech stealthier fighters with lower tech fighters and drones in support. Mainly all working as missile trucks or targeting platforms. For a mission such as Close Air Support the perfect tools are the AC-130 [2] and the Super Tacano. [3] For Strike I think drones, cruise missiles, and JSOW [4] are the main way to go. As for Air-to-Air, a mix of assets is critical so defeating one doesn’t defeat others, and they can’t all depend on one commonality such as GPS. Would probably keep a few high tech and more lower tech manned bombers available and ready too. Complicated, interesting problem with strategy, logistics, and politics all involved, but the bankrupt the country super weapons definitely is the correct course in my opinion. [1] http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?121375-MiG-21-still-unpleasant-surprise-at-Cope-India-exercise-how-so http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?121375-MiG-21-... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130 [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-154_Joint_Standoff_Weapon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-154_Joint_Standoff_Weapon

a3n 11y ago

Sounds like a next gen A10 warthog

poof131 11y ago

I’m not 100% sure how I’d tackle this problem, but the plane you described could play a roll. It’s not poorly thought out by any means. Generally, I’m a fan of a diverse set of assets for survivability and cost. Focus on specific missions instead of trying to do everything. For Air-to-Air the Mig-21 Bison is an interesting example of upgradable lower tech aircraft.[1] Currently, I think the ability to go fast is still an asset to defeat missiles and would be a severe limitation of a slower platform (okay if it’s unmanned and cheap though). High tech stealthier fighters with lower tech fighters and drones in support. Mainly all working as missile trucks or targeting platforms. For a mission such as Close Air Support the perfect tools are the AC-130 [2] and the Super Tacano. [3] For Strike I think drones, cruise missiles, and JSOW [4] are the main way to go. As for Air-to-Air, a mix of assets is critical so defeating one doesn’t defeat others, and they can’t all depend on one commonality such as GPS. Would probably keep a few high tech and more lower tech manned bombers available and ready too. Complicated, interesting problem with strategy, logistics, and politics all involved, but the bankrupt the country super weapons definitely is the correct course in my opinion. [1] http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?121375-MiG-21-still-unpleasant-surprise-at-Cope-India-exercise-how-so http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?121375-MiG-21-... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130 [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-154_Joint_Standoff_Weapon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-154_Joint_Standoff_Weapon