The Fedral Union
13-02-2004, 00:58
designing a long range strike variant of the F/A-22, known as FB-22. The wings and horizontal stablizers of the F/A-22 would yield to a delta wing, similar in appearance to the original wing on the F/A-22. The aircraft would carry 24 small diameter bombs and supercruise at altitudes approaching 60,000 feet. The F135 or F136 engines, powerplants in the 40,000 lb. thrust-class, might propel the aircraft. Assuming that the FB-22 would cruise at fuel-efficient (subsonic) speeds, its combat radius could be extended from 600 naut. miles to 1600 naut. miles.
A similar program is the X-44 Manta, a delta-winged F-22 which uses vectored thrust as its sole means of control. The MANTA will do much to validate the planform for the FB-22, although it will also prove a number of more advanced concepts in our understanding of flight physics.
MANTA is an acronym for Multi-Axis No Tail Aircraft. The plan is to convert an F-22 so that it uses its thrust vectoring nozzles for its flight control. It has no rudders, stabilitors, or ailerons. Needless to say, this is a revolutionary new aircraft.
The MANTA and FB-22 projects are intertwined. The wing for the FB-22 can be tested on the X-44. Likewise, the vertical control surfaces could be eliminated from the FB-22 if thrust vectoring is effective on the X-44.
http://www.checkpoint-online.ch/CheckPoint/Images/N-FB-22.jpg
The fedral air Force expects 550 of these air craft to enter service currently 15 have been built.
A similar program is the X-44 Manta, a delta-winged F-22 which uses vectored thrust as its sole means of control. The MANTA will do much to validate the planform for the FB-22, although it will also prove a number of more advanced concepts in our understanding of flight physics.
MANTA is an acronym for Multi-Axis No Tail Aircraft. The plan is to convert an F-22 so that it uses its thrust vectoring nozzles for its flight control. It has no rudders, stabilitors, or ailerons. Needless to say, this is a revolutionary new aircraft.
The MANTA and FB-22 projects are intertwined. The wing for the FB-22 can be tested on the X-44. Likewise, the vertical control surfaces could be eliminated from the FB-22 if thrust vectoring is effective on the X-44.
http://www.checkpoint-online.ch/CheckPoint/Images/N-FB-22.jpg
The fedral air Force expects 550 of these air craft to enter service currently 15 have been built.