I don't know if the FB-22 will ever fly in any of it's versions but I was wondering if a carrier capable variant would be of any use. One variant, with a Mach 1.5 ingress/egress speed offers 1500nmi range, same as cruise missile vice 700nmi of F-35 in full stealth mode, the 400nmi of F-18E/F sans extra tanks or 250nmi of C/D models with no extra tanks. UCAV based on Pegusus ranges 1200nmi radius??? with a one way range of 3000nmi or endurance of 12 hours on station with surviellance or combat loads. FB-22 has wing mounted weapons bays capable of (there are four availible stations)capable of the 4700lbs. penetrator LGB. G loading is 6 and in all configurations a minimumn of 2 AMRAAM can be carried; this configuration uses side bays for either Sidewinder or JDAM-250lbs. Would any sensible mix in-clude a role for small 8 plane USAF and USN 8 plane squadron with 24 F-18E/Fs and 20 F-35s and 12-24 X-47B Pegasus plus four Hawkeyes and five F-18G EW aircraft or total of 77 planes and 10 helos which makes for 87 or about the maximumn load of Nimitz class. FB-22 gross was quoted at 120,000lbs so launch with less fuel and tanking from Super Hornets would be required. What are your thoughts on this? |