F-18 and F-17 Hornet

[Jschmus]

Did someone ask about the stealthy weapons pod?  I found another image, this time from Secret Projects.

[ChernayaAkula]

Whoa!  Sierra Hotel!

Regarding me asking whether that's a stealth drop tank, I just realised that the website Jschmus linked to specifically states that it's a stealthy pod carrying weapons. That's what I get for not reading the text and looking at the pretty pictures only.

[dy031101]

So the weapons pod holds...... two MRAAMs or size-equivalent items?

Well I suppose the underwing hardpoints can be used when low-observability doesn't matter.

[ChernayaAkula]

^ Not really practical for bombs, but you could try to fit some AAMs Silent Eagle-style in the CFTs along the spine.   A Kind of like the over-wing launcher as on the Lightning and Jaguar!  

Don't know whether it'd be practical or even possible, but together with the weapon pod way you could carry up to 8 Slammers internally and have clean wings, which would not only benefit the low-observability, but the range as well since you wouldn't have to carry the draggy pylons (canted outwards for weapon separation issues)!

EDIT: Had a look at a Super Hornet kit and think fitting an AMRAAM into these CFTs would be very hard, as they're not all that deep. Bummer!

So the weapons pod holds...... two MRAAMs or size-equivalent items? <...>

Jschmus' link says it's supposed to hold 4 AMRAAMs. Guess two in the pod and two in the doors.  

[Shasper]

All that would need to be done is mount a stealthy SDB pod under the wings . . . Wait, doesn't Boeing have the SDB I contract?

[ysi_maniac]

A simple exercise of fitting the F/A-18E with canards, courtesy of Konami and their Airforce Delta Storm for the first XboX......

The aircraft is named Airacobra II in the game......

Love this concept

[gofy]

What about a single tail Hornet?

[ysi_maniac]

^^^^
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,15987.0

[ChernayaAkula]

Now a mock-up (to be shown at AeroIndia (CLICKY!)):

Silent Hornet!

The ISRT fairing under the nose is a bit more apparent now. Going by the text, these should be some interesting additions. Think the big LCD will make long-range ferry flights much more enjoyable.
Wonder if you could put extra pods on the underwing stations. With teh bombs then falling out of the confined pod, maybe the pylons could be angled inboard again, further reducing drag (they're angled outboard due to weapons release issues).


http://s009.radikal.ru/i307/1101/3b/b6844150b95e.jpg


http://i052.radikal.ru/1101/e4/6879902b7cbb.jpg

Links in case the pics don't show up.

[Fulcrum]

Hmmm... it is giving me some ideas with the 1:48 F-18F model that I have yet to assemble & build.

[Maverick]

Looks like Boeing are setting the stage if the F-35 fails....

Regards,

Mav

[GTX]

Looks like Boeing are setting the stage if the F-35 fails....

Regards,

Mav

[Maverick]

 

[Taiidantomcat]

Indeed.


It really looks cool. I no longer have to wonder what the F-18I would look like

[dy031101]

I wonder if that centreline pod can be used by the Silent Eagle...... I just couldn't help to feel erked by the fact that so far the Silent Eagle could carry only four AMRAAMs in low-observable mode......