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ISR plane specifically designed as an Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV). In effect, the plane is to be flown either with a pilot aboard, or as a large UAV.
A comment I came across was that the plane was designed with budget cuts in mind.
Has two hard points for weapons.
Interesting. But someone has GOT to have a better idea. At least in an actual combat aircraft. This critter is designed with intell gathering in mind, not an actual attack role. In all reality it's kinda hard to beat a Cobra with Mini gun or Vulcan and Zuni rockets on board for ground support up close and personal.
Its slim profile offsets RPGs a lot, and it's nimble and precise.
I was wondering about those two hard points. The specific weapons weren't stated, but I'm wondering if they were intended to hold missiles. Which would imply using the Firebird like a Predator.
Actually, one web site mentioned the U.S. Army as a possible customer-which might leading to the Army encroaching on Air Force turf. Imagine a Firebird flying with two missiles...and an Army pilot aboard.
An unmanned version was mentioned. I'm imaging an OPV version. In a "permissive" setting the plane could carry a pilot and fly down in the weeds. If the survivability of the plane is becoming dubious, the plane might still be useful to the troops if used in Predator mode.
Maybe Boeing could partner for an OPV version.
Regarding the gun...I expect that it is intended for strafing. Could it be used in an anti--mini-drone role?
Last edited by Tim Randal Walker; 06-04-2017 at 05:08 PM..
I was wondering about those two hard points. The specific weapons weren't stated, but I'm wondering if they were intended to hold missiles. Which would imply using the Firebird like a Predator.
Actually, one web site mentioned the U.S. Army as a possible customer-which might leading to the Army encroaching on Air Force turf. Imagine a Firebird flying with two missiles...and an Army pilot aboard.
I would hope it would have a better engine than the AVGAS testbed... maybe a small gas turbine, easier to get jet fuel or diesel.
There are RPA tests now with 81mm GPS-guided mortars, I've had a couple where I now work. An aircraft with a dispenser can carry quite a few, they are accurate, and have very low collateral damage and threat to friendlies. They'd do well on an A-29 or OV-10 derivative.
All the talk about light COIN aircraft like the Bronco ignore the threat... radar SAMs love large frontal area props.
Discusses the idea of turning the T-37 jet trainer into a OPV.
BTW, if we start to see operational OPVs, we will need a handier term. "Drone" seems to have stuck for unmanned aircraft, but if a pilot should actually board an aircraft I wouldn't describe it as a drone.
Just attended a system capabilities brief in Fort Worth (FAA airspace council) and the F-16 is viable through 2030. With the F/A-18E and F, there's capability through at least then. Same for the F-15E.
Looked at wikipedia to get the following figures. The number of aircraft produced for each model:
F-15 1,198
F-16 4,573
F-18 1,480
Moving on to the next generation of aircraft....
F-22 195
F-35 235 as of March 2017
With the retirement of the F-15, F-16, and F-18, you have to consider not only the number of aircraft for the CAS role, but the number of aircraft that can serve as air superiority fighters.
Retirement of the B-1 to begin in 2025. It is expected that 80-100 of the B-21 Raider will be produced.
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AHRLAC Holdings counter-insurgency plane
