USNavy F/A-18E/F replacement ideas

[McColm]

 Although the USNavy is looking at various concepts for the F/A-E/F replacement, I was thinking of the designs that never made it into service such as the Grumman A-12 Avenger II or a naval version of the YF-23.
The Boeing X-32 CTOL could also reemerge with a few changes, so far I haven't heard of the F-35A or F-35C being mentioned as a contender, so it could be back to the Lockheed F-117N or even the carrier version of the
F-16XL.
Even the Beechcraft Starship in Navy colours might be worth a whiff with turbofaned engines or even the Piaggio P.180 Avanti.

[sandiego89]

I would say any version of the F-35 or F-32 is a non-starter as a "strike-fighter" replacement.  It is too compromised by the attack mission requirements, and the STOVL requirement for the B version that compromised it even more, resulting in a fat, single-engine, strike aircraft, with some fighter capability.

We are WAY past any flat-paneled F-117 derivative.  As much as I like the F-117, computer capability has come a long way since the design of the F-117, and signature reduction can be achieved with more efficient curved surfaces. 

F-16XL looks pretty, but not the right shape for a Naval aircraft where low speed controllability around the pattern is essential.

I bet on a clean sheet design, or perhaps another merging of the future USAF and Navy programs, without the nearly impossible and painful compromises of the F-111 or the F-35.  These programs seem closer than the F-111 and JSF/F-35 programs were.       

[Flyer]

Even the Beechcraft Starship in Navy colours might be worth a whiff with turbofaned engines or even the Piaggio P.180 Avanti.

As a F/A-18 replacement? 



Seriously though what are they up to now, the G or is it H model by now? I think they will keep modding the design until they have operated Hornet's A-Z! 

[McColm]

Even the Beechcraft Starship in Navy colours might be worth a whiff with turbofaned engines or even the Piaggio P.180 Avanti.

As a F/A-18 replacement? 


No that's one of my ideas  from what I have seen of the concept artwork it's a blended wing on what looks to as it is the YF-23.
The Starship and the Avanti in my opinion would be placed in the ASW or EW roles. I'm just shaking the tree for ideas.

Seriously though what are they up to now, the G or is it H model by now? I think they will keep modding the design until they have operated Hornet's A-Z! 

[Jesse220]

How about a stealth fighter with forward-swept wings?

[McColm]

How about a stealth fighter with forward-swept wings?

Good one,here's one I built.

[Jesse220]

How about a stealth fighter with forward-swept wings?

Good one,here's one I built.

Interesting design, that would work with stealth tech.

[Dizzyfugu]

Even the Beechcraft Starship in Navy colours might be worth a whiff with turbofaned engines or even the Piaggio P.180 Avanti.

As a F/A-18 replacement? 



Seriously though what are they up to now, the G or is it H model by now? I think they will keep modding the design until they have operated Hornet's A-Z! 

The A-4 made it to "Q"...

[McColm]

Something like this as a cheaper option.

[PR19_Kit]

The A-4 made it to "Q"...

The AH-1 is up to Z already, no idea where they go from here. 

[Old Wombat]

The A-4 made it to "Q"...

The AH-1 is up to Z already, no idea where they go from here. 

Γ, Δ, Θ, Λ, Ξ, Π, Σ, Φ, Ψ & Ω

[Rheged]

The A-4 made it to "Q"...

The AH-1 is up to Z already, no idea where they go from here. 

Γ, Δ, Θ, Λ, Ξ, Π, Σ, Φ, Ψ & Ω

And when the Greek alphabet is exhausted.....Alef', Bet, Gimel, Dalet  etc.  from the Hebrew

[su27rules]

1-72Zvezda Su-30KN_Flancat_Jolly Rogers (1)
1-72Zvezda Su-30KN_Flancat_Jolly Rogers

[Jesse220]

1-72Zvezda Su-30KN_Flancat_Jolly Rogers (1)
1-72Zvezda Su-30KN_Flancat_Jolly Rogers

That might work. But then again, an advanced stealth fighter could replace it.

[Joe C-P]

Perhaps an advanced Rafale?