Boeing shops sixth-generation F-18 against JSF
Mike
Aviation Week 01/29/2008
Boeing is touting an even newer version of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
that paired with an advanced sixth-generation fighter that -- with a
combat radius of more than 1,000-miles and stealth against a much
wider spectrum of radars come 2024 -- could give customers a better
package of capabilities than buying Lockheed Martin's combination of
the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The idea is that customers could buy 4.5 generation Super Hornets
(perhaps 4.75 generation with the planned extra forward stealth and
extra range of Block 3 aircraft) and then switch to a new, so-called
six-generation faster than if they bought the fifth-generation Joint
Strike Fighter.
"The [Navy] C-version of the F-35 doesn't buy you a lot that the Super
Hornet doesn't provide," says Bob Gower, Boeing's vice president for F/
A-18 and EA-18G programs. "Our strategy is to create a compelling
reason for the services to go to the next [sixth] generation platform.
How do you bridge F/A-18E/F to get us there? We want to convince
customers to stay with [Super Hornet] a few years longer - by adding
advanced capabilities and lowering price - so that they can get to the
sixth-generation faster. If you go to JSF first, it's going to be a
long time."
Another part of Boeing's argument is that the "Navy is comfortable
with the Super Hornet against the highest [enemy] threat through 2024,
with the [improved] capabilities we have in the flight plan," Gower
says. "The ability to counter the threat gets you to about the point
that [Boeing's] sixth-generation is available."
It's part of Boeing's counter-attack on Lockheed Martin's claim that
the decreasing price of the F-22 - now at $140 million each - will
make it so attractive that Australia may reconsider its buy - already
being paid for - of 24 two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets. Until
Australia's recent change in government, a number of U.S. officials
said the government was considering a second lot of 24 Super Hornets
and a six-plane squadron of EA-18G Growlers.
Boeing makes the argument that a sliding in-service date for the JSF
is worrying both the Australians and the U.S. military.
"The U.S. Air Force and Navy are now talking a lot more about where
they need to go with 6th generation to get beyond JSF," Gower says.
"It could be unmanned, but I think you will see a combination of
missions - some manned, some unmanned."
For Boeing, the real discriminators are going to be extended range
(1,000-1,500 mi.), a small radar signature against low-frequency
radars, expanded awareness through connections with the network, and
the ability to carry a number of bombs internally.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin leaders tell Wall Street analysts that they
expect additional orders for F-22 Raptors to become more
institutionalized within the Pentagon's budget requests as aging-fleet
issues - exemplified by grounded F-15s - appear only to be increasing
in the U.S. Air Force.
Typhoon502
> Boeing shops sixth-generation F-18 against JSF
> Aviation Week 01/29/2008
>
> Boeing is touting an even newer version of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
> that paired with an advanced sixth-generation fighter that -- with a
> combat radius of more than 1,000-miles and stealth against a much
> wider spectrum of radars come 2024 -- could give customers a better
> package of capabilities than buying Lockheed Martin's combination of
> the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
I fixed your subject line for you.