F-35 if was airforce only
- Thread starter Cjc
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Largely the same as it is now - the F-35A is arguably the least compromised of all variants.
Colonial-Marine
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Maybe a few inches greater overall length.
Maybe Lockheed would have gone with a V-tail similar to what the McDonnell Douglas or Northrop envisioned in their various fighter designs during that time.
Maybe Lockheed would have gone with a V-tail similar to what the McDonnell Douglas or Northrop envisioned in their various fighter designs during that time.
Would probably have ended up something more akin to the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST)
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Actually,IIRC,. USAF and USMC were working on a joint aircraft using the DARPA-developed lift/fan fuel tank concept. Their requirements, aside from range and type of, were pretty similar and that's what made it feasible. The big compromises came when the decision to make a carrier capable version as well (type of approach, required strength of pitch control, visibility over the nose, provision for internal stronger structure, etc.).
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I believe that would be CALF which built upon the ASTOVL project. If they went forward without the CATOBAR requirement the Lockheed design would look quite different. Probably very close to their "Configuration 160" design which was the last before the addition of a carrier variant to the picture.
As explained to me by someone here the canard layout was better for the limited length imposed by the requirement it fit within a LHA/LHD elevator. When Lockheed switched to a layout with a more conventional tail performance probably suffered somewhat due to having to work within those dimensions.
So without the STOVL requirement I think a conventional layout would be selected by Lockheed, probably resembling a smaller, single engine F-22 in some respects as the F-35 does.
Judging from other projects Northrop's design (assuming they don't end up a supporting member in a team) would probably look a lot like a smaller F-23 with chin intake.
I'd imagine McDonnell's design would end up pretty similar to their JAST design but I could be wrong.
No guess as to what Boeing does.
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that could be another interesting "what if"
USN decides to go all into the STOVL concept. only As and Bs are acquired. Future carrier fleet will consists of Bs and Ospreys (cargo, awacs and tanker variants). Ford ends up being a large Queen Elizabeth.
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Two-seater variants have been replaced by ground-bound simulators for the pilot-training role.
These days, a two-seater would only be useful for electronic counter-measures.
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Exactly what I was insinuating my dear riggerrob , as well as SEAD perhaps.....
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Pioneer