Ultra Stealth? Is Northrop building a secret bomber prototype?

geetrue · 06-29-08, 03:55 PM

NGB demonstrator may be a twin-engine aircraft resembling an X-47B. Initial version will be piloted, but an unmanned endurance version is a probable follow-on.

It is likely that the prototype will build on technology under development for the Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D), putting within reach USAF's goal of a 2018 initial operational capability date for the bomber.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gener...ltra%20Stealth

Zachstar · 06-29-08, 10:11 PM

There is no way in hell we are going to make another manned stealth fighter or Bomber.

We can't find use for the B-2s half the time and money is tight.

No the age of piloted craft is slowly drawing to a close. Like I said the F-35 is but a parting gift to fighter pilots before they are rushed into computer training as they are phased out of their F-15s and F-16s

Sure someone is going to starting talking about "Wut about that there F-22 bomber variant?1!" But the simple fact is the F-22 is THE symbol of spending these days and that is not going to be a possible sell to congress.. Much less an easy one.

They will drop ANY talk of manned really quick here. I almost assure you that.

baggygreen · 06-29-08, 10:18 PM

very snazzy looking.

hate to get a lag spike when flying one of the new unmanned vehicles..!

Actually, its just come to mind but if anyone ever figured out the frequencies that the UAVs are piloted on then it wouldn't be too tough to jam it and render them useless, would it!

PeriscopeDepth · 06-29-08, 10:20 PM

They won't be "flown", for the most part. Think reusable Tomahawk missile.

PD

baggygreen · 06-29-08, 10:35 PM

Yeh, but further reading on UAVs and UCAVs shows that there must be a human operator in the loop in order to ensure that only combatants etc were targetted. The drones aren't able to fire themselves, an operator must make them weapons-free.

If they're jammed, then no permission to open fire, target gets away, wasted mission..

SUBMAN1 · 06-29-08, 11:09 PM

There will always be manned combat aircraft.

-S

06-29-08, 03:55 PM	#1
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Ultra Stealth? Is Northrop building a secret bomber prototype? NGB demonstrator may be a twin-engine aircraft resembling an X-47B. Initial version will be piloted, but an unmanned endurance version is a probable follow-on. It is likely that the prototype will build on technology under development for the Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D), putting within reach USAF's goal of a 2018 initial operational capability date for the bomber. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gener...ltra%20Stealth __________________

06-29-08, 10:11 PM	#2
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	There is no way in hell we are going to make another manned stealth fighter or Bomber. We can't find use for the B-2s half the time and money is tight. No the age of piloted craft is slowly drawing to a close. Like I said the F-35 is but a parting gift to fighter pilots before they are rushed into computer training as they are phased out of their F-15s and F-16s Sure someone is going to starting talking about "Wut about that there F-22 bomber variant?1!" But the simple fact is the F-22 is THE symbol of spending these days and that is not going to be a possible sell to congress.. Much less an easy one. They will drop ANY talk of manned really quick here. I almost assure you that. __________________

06-29-08, 11:09 PM	#6
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	There will always be manned combat aircraft. -S __________________

06-29-08, 10:18 PM	#3
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	very snazzy looking. hate to get a lag spike when flying one of the new unmanned vehicles..! Actually, its just come to mind but if anyone ever figured out the frequencies that the UAVs are piloted on then it wouldn't be too tough to jam it and render them useless, would it!

06-29-08, 10:20 PM	#4
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	They won't be "flown", for the most part. Think reusable Tomahawk missile. PD

06-29-08, 10:35 PM	#5
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Yeh, but further reading on UAVs and UCAVs shows that there must be a human operator in the loop in order to ensure that only combatants etc were targetted. The drones aren't able to fire themselves, an operator must make them weapons-free. If they're jammed, then no permission to open fire, target gets away, wasted mission..