TFX-Program Alternative

[KJ_Lesnick]

I was thinking about the TFX program and how it had a number of serious problems with the idea.  Basically they wanted at minimum a plane that could be used as a high-speed/low-altitude attack plane and a fleet air-defense interceptor. 

What I think would have been more logical was to have designed two aircraft designs to be used by both the USAF and USN alike.  With the first aircraft geared more for the air-to-air roles, and the second aircraft geared more for the air-to-ground roles, all-weather capable, with a secondary air-to-air-role. 

Both USAF and USN designs would be built around carrier-based requirements as those are the hardest to meet (high strength requirements inherent in high-descent rate landings, catapult launches, and arrester-hook landings; good roll-authority at low speeds even with the wheels down, good pitch authority and good ability to rapidly, and precisely control descent rates; reasonably good landing-speeds; good over-the-nose visibility; folding wings), and if designed correctly, carrier-based aircraft do not necessarily weigh significantly more than their land-based counterparts due to the fact that they are over-engineered, and built using high-strength/light-weight metals and materials.  The USAF and USN version would have different tires, and the USAF version would have a simpler arrestor hook .

[PR19_Kit]

Isn't that exactly what happened in the RW?

McNamarra (or whatever his name was) knew as much about aviation as I do about brain surgery, and was obsessed with cutting costs, thus the TFX 'Do Anything' idea. When the USN F-111B plain didn't work, even though it had all the naval bits you mentioned, Grumman did their usual excellent job and produced the F-14 out of the wreckage, making possibly the best ever carrier-borne fighter.

(If that doesn't provoke some discussion I don't know what will.....  )

[KJ_Lesnick]

PR19 Kit,

For the air-to-air part, yes.  The air-to-ground component needed a little bit more air-to-air capability, though, at least as much as the F-105, and would have been better with fixed wings.  I'm thinking a mini TSR-2 like design, tandem seating, wing loading no lighter than the F-4, no heavier than the F-105, and liberal use of flap-blowing to allow it to get a low enough takeoff and landing-speed to work off a carrier-deck.

KJ Lesnick 

[MAD]

Both USAF and USN designs would be built around carrier-based requirements as those are the hardest to meet

Agreed!
But the fundamental problem remains - with the USAF wanting a design more geared to its then obsession of tactical nuclear strike over all else!
While the USN predominantly wanted a FAD type aircraft!

McNamarra (or whatever his name was) knew as much about aviation as I do about brain surgery, and was obsessed with cutting costs

Again totally agree - after all his Ford motor cars didn't have the need or specifications of combat!
Its hard to believe he was actual in the USAAF!!

I think this is something along the lines and weight of which the true TFX should have been like!
Its from the 'Secret Projects' web site.
Its a Grumman model of an unknown designation G-???, which is suspected to have been submitted to the USN's VFAX RfP!

M.A.D

[ysi_maniac]

^^^^^
A real beauty this Grumman concept. Thanks for posting!