As an air combat platform the YF-23 was the equal of, if not better than, its competitor the YF-22. The proven YF-23 design should be modified to become the FA-XX. Such an aircraft would provide the US Navy with a replacement long range Air Superiority Fighter for the F-14D Super Tomcat.
Development of the aircraft should be led by Northrop/Grumman engineers, not generalist managers, in conjunction with SAAB, in order to create the new aircraft. SAAB must be included in the development process because of their success with the Gripen - an aircraft that is designed to be easy to maintain and upgrade. Manufacture should be at one location, allowing easy oversight of production, and not shopped all over the country for political reasons.
The initial aim would be to incorporate many existing top-of-the-line systems, taking advantage of proven technology, in order to speed development of the 'A' model. Technology from the latest variants of the F-15K/SA(Advanced), that include two seat cockpit variants, and undercarriage from the Super Hornet, should be considered. An IRST system is a necessity that include significant rear (and side) facing sensors. For ground attack missions the aircraft would employ a modified targeting pod fitted into one half of the forward weapons bay. This 'A' model aircraft would not employ radar absorbent paint which creates difficulties in terms of maintenance. Later models, or specialist USAF variants, can feature such complexity. The 'B' model aircraft should incorporate a fully developed variable cycle engine. All design models should allow for the addition of conformal fuel tanks.
To ensure high levels of serviceability the aircraft must also be required to operate in 'rough field' conditions, in dispersed locations, where maintenance will be supplied by two trucks or a C-130.
Major structural modifications to the original YF-23 design would see the separation between the engines increased to allow for an extended weapons bay, and the (possible) addition of canard/leading edge extensions - which would function within the subsonic flight envelope. The aircraft might feature a blown wing or a large air brake in order to lower landing speeds.
The basic USN design changes to the YF-23 can be seen in the following image (note the extended undercarriage):
An Air Force version would (potentially) delete the canards:
This is an alternative weapons bay arrangement that places the short range air to air missiles in outboard positions.
This is the original YF-23 design for comparison (see below). Please note that all modifications on this page are proposals that would need to be fully assessed. They are presented here as a conceptual exercise, intended to stimulate serious debate on this issue (of revisiting the YF-23, a proven Air Superiority design - an aircraft that is sorely needed in the face of emerging threats from Russia and China).
Other operators of the type could include the UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Each of these countries could acquire up to 100 airframes with a targeted cost of around 150 million each. In terms of pricing, as part of the initial contracting process, the US Navy should require the finished aircraft, to meet or exceed design specifications at the cost of 150 million each, with a clause to buy a further 30% more airframes if this price is met. If the price exceeds the original contract target by more than 10% this extra airframe option should be voided. If excess aircraft are bought they could be stored, loaned to allies, and/or upgraded at a later date.
A further radical design change, for a later F-23 variant could see a reworking of the aft section of the airframe to allow for 2D or 3D thrust vectoring, to help point the nose of the aircraft in low speed situations. Such modifications should only be incorporated after the 'A' model has entered service.
Related Material:
The Naval Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) promotional video from the YF-23 team
USAF ATF - Northrop YF-23 Black Widow II
A empresa SAAB é a responsável pela construção do caça Gripen NG que foi comprado pelo Brasil.
ReplyDeleteYes, In relation to the post here, I want SAAB involved with YF-23 development, because they produced an easy to maintain aircraft that could be easily upgraded when it came to adding new weapons. Current advanced aircraft, like the F-35 require too much maintenance to keep them flying and too much input from the manufacturer. What we need is an aircraft that an Air Force can buy and look after with very little outside help (apart from spare parts). Having a great working product will encourage sales too. If you end up with something that is difficult to keep flying then you will expect Air Forces to ditch the system in favour of easier to operate aircraft, with similar capability, as soon as they become available.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping Northrop is currently doing (black project) design/manufacturing work on an F-23A, something that is sorely needed (they could piggyback this on the B-21 program budget). An F-23A could be bought by multiple countries around the world today such as Japan, South Korea, the UK, Canada and (perhaps) Australia and the USAF. I recommend they make two versions (like the Rafale) - one land based and one for carriers. If they just make an excellent carrier aircraft they should also get air force sales, such as what happened with the F-4 Phantom.
Thanks for your comment Alan. All the best for Brasil's Gripens. It was a good choice for the country.
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DeleteCould this Northrop YF-23 project be canceled (technology transfer or production license) by an allied country? Would Northrop sell the project (or part of it)?
DeleteNorthrop would have to get US Government approval to work with other countries and manufacturers because aspects of the YF-23 program are still classified. They could sell or licence some aspects of their design. The issue for transferring the design would be the lack of expertise outside the US to produce a viable aircraft.
ReplyDeleteInside of the US the company can still use the unique know how of SAAB and its designers to help them produce a flying prototype. And this new aircraft could then be sold to foreign countries that have very close relationships to the USA - where technological secrets could be kept (to a degree). The countries listed in my previous comment fit this bill.
Also, we've recently seen the T-X training aircraft program won by a joint venture involving SAAB and subsequent to that we've been told that a 6th Generation prototype aircraft was rapidly designed (using computer modelling tools) and flown. An aircraft no one has yet seen.
It's possible that the company involved in this was Northrop and they did exactly what was outlined here (perhaps building an Air Force platform rather than a carrier based aircraft).
If they go through a proper prototype development and modification process, whatever they have flown will ultimately be highly capable and lot easier to maintain than the current crop of 5th Gen fighters.
Thanks for your comment Jorge.