Air-launched Boeing and Lockheed "Micro Fighters"

[AeroFranz]

Looks very similar in shape to the Microfighter intended for 747 flying aircraft carriers. A case of re-use of known aerodynamics, perhaps?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Looks very similar in shape to the Microfighter intended for 747 flying aircraft carriers. A case of re-use of known aerodynamics, perhaps?

It's Bud Nelson's 'Microfighter' indeed, which starred in many different studies from Boeing and Northrop.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Merged topics.

Bud Nelson continued this design family at Northrop - see

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/northrop-n353-p900-mission-adaptive-fighter-bud-nelson.530/

 

[hesham]

The Boeing FDL.

 

[hesham]

The Boeing FDL.

The source;

Симбиоз небесных гигантов и карликов

Попытки возродить идею летающих авианосцев: история американской программы Airborne Aircraft Carrier

warspot.ru

 

[Deltafan]

Just found this on YouTube :

 

[Derfel Cadarn]

One or two of them, under the floor of Air Force One would be a nice addition to Presidential security.

 

[Pioneer]

One or two of them, under the floor of Air Force One would be a nice addition to Presidential security.

Although, going by Presidents that did military service, I think only President George Bush (Senior) and George W. Bush would be able to fly it....

Regards
Pioneer

 

[martinbayer]

One or two of them, under the floor of Air Force One would be a nice addition to Presidential security.

Although, going by Presidents that did military service, I think only President George Bush (Senior) and George W. Bush would be able to fly it....

Regards
Pioneer

Biden's already got the aviator glasses though ...

 

[citizensnip]

 

[fightingirish]

Found And Explained - What ever happened to Flying Aircraft Carriers?

Hey gang! This is a special video, I've always wanted to cover the topic of flying aircraft carriers but only if I could bring something new to the table that wasn't discussed elsewhere! So enjoy a 30-minute video all about the 747 and its many other attempts to realize that incredible concept of a flying mothership!

View: https://youtu.be/UfDxsfiDl24

https://youtu.be/UfDxsfiDl24

 

[Stratodesigner]

The report is available here:

Investigation of a Micro-Fighter/Airborne Aircraft Carrier Concept. Volume 1

The report presents the results of an exploratory investigation to determine the size, performance and feasibility of a Micro-fighter design such that a number of vehicles could be transported or air launched and recovered by a C-5 class carrier aircraft. Emphasis was placed on identification of...

apps.dtic.mil

The above video has more images and 3D illustrations of the system

Found And Explained - What ever happened to Flying Aircraft Carriers?

 

[Stargazer]

On the subject of Microfighters, I don't think that the notion of possible competing designs has been suggested. And yet, the SDASM's Rolled Drawing Index lists a Ryan design which "appears to be a concept drawing showing 17 'manned micro fighters' carried in a C-5A." The related drawings are numbered MICRO-1, MICRO-2 and MICRO-5. Unless both companies decided to study independently such a far-off concept, it seems to me that that there must have been an Air Force requirement for it, and that Ryan's proposal was submitted against Boeing's Model 985 (and likely a few others). Unfortunately I haven't found in my Ryan folders any image that might even remotely resemble that project.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

The carrier aircraft are discussed here: https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airborne-aircraft-carriers.595/page-2

Ryan was involved in studies of housing RPVs on the 747 carrier. Maybe something similar?

 

[Stargazer]

Ryan was involved in studies of housing RPVs on the 747 carrier. Maybe something similar?

The author of the index clearly said "appears to be... manned micro fighters". That means he's not positive, but I believe it to be correct since the description of the third document mentions "...'manned micro fighters' and drones..." (though fitting seventeen of them on board a C-5A seems surprising). Of course, it's also possible that the fighters were Boeing's while the drones were Ryan's. We'd have to see the documents to be sure.

If anyone has access to the SDASM's blueprint archives, here is the complete reference for these documents (note that text in third note is incomplete):

Catalog #	Box #	Manufacturer	Aircraft	Drawing #	Drawing Title/Subject	Media	Notes
RD-4357	D-1119	Ryan	see note	MICRO-1	Mass Air Launch & Recover	Vellum	Appears to ba a concept drawing showing 17 "manned micro fighters" carried in a C-5A
RD-4358	D-1119	Ryan	see note	MICRO-2	Mass Air Launch & Recover	Mylar	Appears to ba a concept drawing showing 17 "manned micro fighters" carried in a C-5A
RD-4359	D-1120	Ryan	see note	MICRO-5	Mass Air Launch & Recover	Mylar	Appears to ba a concept drawing showing "manned micro fighters" and drones carried i

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Lockheed's 1972 CL-1303 Micro-Fighter project.

It was supposed to be capable of Mach 2.8. Six wing arrangements were considered:

Multi-planar (box)
Swept
Swept (folding)
Delta
Delta (folding)
Variable sweep

The non-folding wing span was limited to 13 ft to clear the C-5A cargo compartment aft opening and walls.

 

[publiusr]

loyal wingman drones perhaps a better fit.