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2020-01-11 Science & Technology

F23 & F32 - Fighters that Could Have Been

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Posted by Mercutio 2020-01-11 07:37|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 ...In the words of one Mr. K. West, "I'ma gonna stop you right there."

One can make an argument over the -22 versus -23 choice; both aircraft were superb and it came down to highly technical arguments on stealthiness as to which aircraft was better.

But the -32 versus the -35...folks, as bad as the -35 had it (the airframe is literally getting better every day, and isn't far from being the ship we've always been told it was), the -32 was a disaster waiting to happen.
First, the airframe was going to get an entirely new wing...which meant a redesign on the entire airplane, though Boeing insisted that wasn't the case.
Second, Boeing itself has been having problems for decades - their misbegotten 'merger' with McDonnell Douglas ended up with McAir effectively taking over with one of the most thoroughly dysfunctional corporate environments in recent history...which is saying something. Keep in mind that the engineering and corporate screwups that brought us the 737 MAX would have been the same people trying to get the -32 into production...enough said.
Finally, and possibly most important - that Gawdawful air intake up front was causing quiet terror among Boeing engineers, because despite years of testing and design there were indications it was ruining whatever LO characteristics the airplane had. It could have probably been managed - not fixed - at hideous cost.

Summary: The F-35 may be a problem child, but we dodged a bullet with the -32.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2020-01-11 10:16|| 2020-01-11 10:16|| Front Page Top

#2 Mike K quoting Kanye? Priceless :-)

Posted by Frank G 2020-01-11 11:30|| 2020-01-11 11:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Other than being a truly ugly looking plane... I was impressed by the giant "FOD gulper" design of the F-32, kinda like the A-7, and wondered how it would operate on any airfield that hadn't been vacuumed and wet mopped before every takeoff/landing...?

Posted by magpie 2020-01-11 13:36|| 2020-01-11 13:36|| Front Page Top

#4 What would John Boyd say?

Posted by Alistaire Spusomp3690 2020-01-11 16:28|| 2020-01-11 16:28|| Front Page Top

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