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Some questions about the direction of canopy design.
For a while, it seemed like bubble canopies were preferred as they gave pilots superior all-around vision. the P-51 mustang had it,
and modern jets like the F-16 and Typhoon have it.
But there seems to be a trend where newer planes no longer utilize it. the F-35, Su-57, etc
Even the J-20 which has a bubble canopy, has ditched it in its latest variation below
I assume that they are doing away with them for the sake of aerodynamic or stealth performance?
is having near 360 vision no longer needed?
On a similar note, some canopies don't have mirrors i notice, such as the F-16
the F-15 has three (from DCS).
how important are they? and how does the F-16 cope with not having them?
I would assume that for fighters with poorer rear views like the F-35, mirrors become more important, but it seems the F-35 also doesnt have mirrors?
For a while, it seemed like bubble canopies were preferred as they gave pilots superior all-around vision. the P-51 mustang had it,
and modern jets like the F-16 and Typhoon have it.
But there seems to be a trend where newer planes no longer utilize it. the F-35, Su-57, etc
Even the J-20 which has a bubble canopy, has ditched it in its latest variation below
I assume that they are doing away with them for the sake of aerodynamic or stealth performance?
is having near 360 vision no longer needed?
On a similar note, some canopies don't have mirrors i notice, such as the F-16
![abcapc.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fc8.alamy.com%2Fzooms%2F9%2F3089d5f7f74a4c01aa8e937c2609675a%2Fabcapc.jpg&hash=2d25115be685ed40f12fac9565a597cc)
the F-15 has three (from DCS).
how important are they? and how does the F-16 cope with not having them?
I would assume that for fighters with poorer rear views like the F-35, mirrors become more important, but it seems the F-35 also doesnt have mirrors?
![ymzibujrbj781.png](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fymzibujrbj781.png&hash=f78fee3d84d4647ee1e2d1e3c216b1ef)