All Things Stealth

[Huba]

This thread is probably the best place to post it. Perun, known from surprisingly interesting PP presentations about war in Ukraine, made one reviewing the current 6th generation aircraft programs. 

 

[bojan]

Fate of second F-117 hit.

For some reason tweet is labeled "not safe", so here is a page from a book quoted:

[bfng3569]

F-35 Will Get New Radar Under Massive Upgrade Initiative

 

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-35-will-get-new-radar-under-massive-upgrade-initiative

[Josh]

I'm guessing the major physical change is GaN based transmit/receive modules. That would be a big enough change to warrant a new designation.

[bfng3569]

3 hours ago, Josh said:

I'm guessing the major physical change is GaN based transmit/receive modules. That would be a big enough change to warrant a new designation.

be interesting to see how this upgrade parallels any new tech planned for the NGAD as far as radars go.

 

(also, that copy/past came pout..... rather larger than i had anticipated......)

[Josh]

5 hours ago, bfng3569 said:

be interesting to see how this upgrade parallels any new tech planned for the NGAD as far as radars go.

 

(also, that copy/past came pout..... rather larger than i had anticipated......)

The more interesting thing for me in the short term is whether there is a relationship between APG-85 and B-21. NG makes both. It would not be much of a stretch for NG to mount 3-4 APG-85 arrays, or at least an array derived from the same transmit/receive modules, such that there was 360 degree coverage. This would solve a major problem of survivable front line AEW against peer competitors. It wouldn't have the range and power of a dedicated platform but with a GaN AESA, it should have rather excellent performance for an airborne fighter radar. It would also give B-21 numerous ISR related modes (SAR, MTI, ISAR, etc) in any direction regardless of orientation. That would be really useful for situations where you don't want one of your four most reflective angles to face a threat emitter. It would also grant wrap around ECM in the frequency range of the radar. If you used most of the same parts for the APG-85, the hardware for such would be cheap since those are going to be stamped out by the hundreds, even thousands, compared to hardware that was unique to the B-21.

[bfng3569]

18 hours ago, Josh said:

The more interesting thing for me in the short term is whether there is a relationship between APG-85 and B-21. NG makes both. It would not be much of a stretch for NG to mount 3-4 APG-85 arrays, or at least an array derived from the same transmit/receive modules, such that there was 360 degree coverage. This would solve a major problem of survivable front line AEW against peer competitors. It wouldn't have the range and power of a dedicated platform but with a GaN AESA, it should have rather excellent performance for an airborne fighter radar. It would also give B-21 numerous ISR related modes (SAR, MTI, ISAR, etc) in any direction regardless of orientation. That would be really useful for situations where you don't want one of your four most reflective angles to face a threat emitter. It would also grant wrap around ECM in the frequency range of the radar. If you used most of the same parts for the APG-85, the hardware for such would be cheap since those are going to be stamped out by the hundreds, even thousands, compared to hardware that was unique to the B-21.

hadn't even thought of that one... that would be interesting

[Stuart Galbraith]

Entertaining podcast on the infamous Boscombe Down crash.

https://podtail.com/podcast/the-shocking-details/

[R011]

2 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Entertaining podcast on the infamous Boscombe Down crash.

https://podtail.com/podcast/the-shocking-details/

It's a long podcast.  Can you summarize?

[Stuart Galbraith]

Basically an aircraft incident was declared late at night in 1993 iirc, and next morning witnesses reported seeing what appeared to a strange angular aircraft with a tarp over seemingly damaged, which was iirc, later moved to a hangar. Then a C5 galaxy landed, one of two molded for special projects. Then an aircraft owned by E Gand G, contractors to the Area 51 range, then a Janet airliner,taxi service to area 51 reputed turned up.

If its of interest, I think the original story by airforces monthly is still up somewhere.

[R011]

2 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Basically an aircraft incident was declared late at night in 1993 iirc, and next morning witnesses reported seeing what appeared to a strange angular aircraft with a tarp over seemingly damaged, which was iirc, later moved to a hangar. Then a C5 galaxy landed, one of two molded for special projects. Then an aircraft owned by E Gand G, contractors to the Area 51 range, then a Janet airliner,taxi service to area 51 reputed turned up.

If its of interest, I think the original story by airforces monthly is still up somewhere.

So pretty much the same story that's been going around for a couple of decades and is in the Wikipedia article on Boscomb Downs.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Im sorry, I wasnt aware you already knew of it. I was posting it up for anyone that hadnt heard of it before and couldnt be arsed to hit the articles.

[R011]

9 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Im sorry, I wasnt aware you already knew of it. I was posting it up for anyone that hadnt heard of it before and couldnt be arsed to hit the articles.

No problem.  It just sounded as if they had something different and shocking.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Nah, just a podcast I like covering what's already known.

Still, it is 30 years now, its surpri something hasn't been released yet. I dont believe even Tacit Blue was classified as long.

[bfng3569]

On 1/1/2023 at 9:00 AM, bojan said:

Fate of second F-117 hit.

For some reason tweet is labeled "not safe", so here is a page from a book quoted:

Looks like they are going to try to keep them flying another 10 years to.

[lucklucky]

https://www.defense-aerospace.com/china-reveals-tailless-concept-for-next-generation-fighter-jet/

[bfng3569]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b-21-raider-seen-from-above-in-new-image

 

some  newly released  images, more in the article.

 

 

[Josh]

It has such an alien look to it, especially with the incredibly smooth finish of the airframe. Outside the window seems it looks almost featureless. I think we're looking a brand new composite airframe material, something a step up from the fibermatt used in F-35.

[Stuart Galbraith]

It's cute. Bombers are supposed to look manly strong, not cute. 😋

[bfng3569]

On 3/7/2023 at 4:56 PM, Josh said:

It has such an alien look to it, especially with the incredibly smooth finish of the airframe. Outside the window seems it looks almost featureless. I think we're looking a brand new composite airframe material, something a step up from the fibermatt used in F-35.

its interesting how smooth the coating is, not a seam visible really, but if you look down from the left window in the pic there are three distinct 'divets' for a lack of a better word that appear a bit lighter in color.

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Presumably esm sensors, such as liberally coat the F35.

You idly wonder if its going to put the RC135 out of a job.

[bfng3569]

2 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Presumably esm sensors, such as liberally coat the F35.

You idly wonder if its going to put the RC135 out of a job.

doubtful for the little spots i see, you really have to look to see them.  Almost like little 'imperfections' in a the final coating....  and i put imperfections in quotes because i am guessing it wont matter... could also just be the lighting. 

the wind screen on the center left side of the image, just to the right of midpoint, if you follow it down, one starts just above where it curve of the cockpit starts to curve into the air frame, and then two more just below it.

i'm sure its nothing that matters, just interesting to see when wondering what the final coating is on it and how its applied, or if even has its final coating yet.....  And again, it could just be the lighting.... 

[Stuart Galbraith]

 

[Daan]

Everybody wants one:

[Stuart Galbraith]