The opening paragraph of the CRFI is:
The Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) Capability Development and Planning Division (XRX) is conducting market research analyses to examine applicable materiel concepts and related technology for a Next Generation Tactical Aircraft (Next Gen TACAIR) capability with an initial operational capability (IOC) of approximately 2030. The envisioned system may possess enhanced capabilities in areas such as reach, persistence, survivability, net-centricity, situational awareness, human-system integration, and weapons effects. It must be able to operate in the anti-access/area-denial environment that will exist in the 2030-2050 timeframe.A picture of a possible Boeing design can be found at this blog, The DEW Line.
If you think this is early, considering the F-22 is just being fielded, remember that it takes about 15 years to produce a new fighter from conception to fielding.
Regards — Cliff
2 comments:
Sexy bird. I prefer funding for student loans.
Well, except that new jet fighters, like student loans, seem to be jacking up the price.
When I started in the fighter dodge the F-4 was $2.5 million a copy. Twenty some years later the F-16 was around $16 million. The F-22 is supposed to be $200 million a copy.
In the same way, some argue, the availability of Federally backed student loans has allowed for the unbelievable inflation in the cost of a college education.
And, of course, there is that tired old argument about having to protect those colleges from aggressors foreign.
I am all for fixing the education system at the college level, but not with student loans. I think we should be reducing the overall cost of a public school education, starting with innovative ways of conveying books to students and then moving on to state funding of the salaries and facilities.
My model is to make college education cheap, easy to get into, and a challenge for the students. When I was heading off to "college" the Cal State Long Beach attrition was 50% at Christmas for Freshmen, and dropped off sharply after that (US Air Force Academy at the time was about 33% over four years, consistent with West Point and Annapolis). On the other hand, anyone could get in as a freshman and it was costing about $100 per student per semester, including books, for a day student.
Not replacing the F-22s when they grow old will not fix our problems with higher education and those problems need to be fixed now and not in 20 years.
Regards — Cliff
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