Latest news with #F-22
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
China's J-36 Very Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Photographed Head-On For First Time
New imagery of China's 'J-36' very heavy tactical 6th generation jet has just emerged out of China. The photos shows a long-awaited perspective of the aircraft — taken from the front — that confirms our analysis that the aircraft features a very large and broad bubble canopy to go atop its equally broad nose section. Under that canopy would be two crew sitting side-by-side, similar to the F-111 and Su-34's arrangement, among others. The image also offers a view of the dorsal inlet on the three-engined aircraft, along with its diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) 'hump,' which appears very large here. Overall, the photos serve as a reminder of just how big this aircraft is. Like many tailless designs, especially stealthy ones, they can look far smaller from the side than from the front, top or bottom. While we have become accustomed to the J-36's modified delta planform, the head-on perspective really underlines the proportions and mass of Chengdu's next-generation tactical jet design. In the imagery, we can also just make out the J-36's lower trapezoidal air inlets, similar to those found on the F-22, as well as one of the jet's unique large aperture electro-optical windows on the side of the nose. That fixture is seen glaring gold in the low-angle light. As is often the case, we must note that the imagery appears authentic, but we cannot be certain of that. Still, it was only a matter of time until we got a head-on angle of the J-36 and this screenshot of a DSLR camera screen (you can see the smart phone's lenses in the reflection) goes along with the progression of 'leaks' out of China we have come accustomed to over many years when it comes to new military aircraft designs. Very interesting but strange frontal view of the CAC J-36, which due to the 'merging' of the top air intake, DSI bump and the wide cockpit makes it look even wider … — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) May 31, 2025 Çin'in Kuyruksuz Savaş Uçağı J-36'nın son test uçuşuna ait görüntüler ortaya çıktı — Times of Defence (@timesofdefencee) May 31, 2025 This new imagery also comes just days after we got the clearest look at Shenyang's smaller, but still heavy-weight 6th generation fighter aircraft, referred to unofficially by a number of designations, including J-XDS and J-50. Not only do we get a more detailed underside view, but we also get a full side-on shot, which shows just how blended the canopy of the aircraft is with its upper fuselage, as well as a better look at the profile of its huge nose. The bottom view gives us a better look at the weapons bay arrangement, as well as its F-22-like nozzle configuration. We can also confirm an EO/IR blister (without its glass) under the nose. The aircraft looks to feature a single pilot/crew. The small side doors where a side weapons bay would likely go remain a bit of a mystery. The aircraft's unique swiveling wingtip control surfaces are also very clear here. Once again, the profile of the nose is striking, and it clearly can accommodate a very large and powerful AESA radar. You can read our very in-depth analysis on these two aircraft, including the knowns and the unknowns surrounding them, which still proves entirely accurate, at this link. Both aircraft were 'unofficially unveiled' via a series of videos and images spilling out of the country of presumably their first test flights back on December 26th, 2024. As we have stated since they first appeared, by summer we will likely have a look at all angles of both aircraft, and in increasing definition, based on how the flow of images of new high-profile military aircraft have historically appeared out of China. So stay tuned for more. Contact the author: Tyler@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The F-35 could be 'pilot optional' in the not-too-distant future, Lockheed Martin CEO says
Lockheed Martin's CEO announced plans for an uncrewed F-35. The F-35 and F-22 will gain next-gen stealth, electronic warfare, and weapons improvements, he said. The US Air Force wants uncrewed aircraft to support piloted ones and add mass to its force. Lockheed Martin is developing an advanced version of its F-35 stealth fighter jet that could potentially be uncrewed, the company's CEO said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Bernstein's 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Jim Taiclet floated the possibility of an F-35 whose pilot could be "optional" within a "relatively modest time frame." He outlined what he called "fifth-gen-plus" aircraft, where within two or three years both the F-35 and the older F-22 Raptor would feature several capabilities, including stealth coatings, electronic warfare improvements, and an unspecified weapons improvement, he said. Lockheed is repurposing much of this tech from its failed bid for the F-22 Raptor replacement, advances whose capabilities could rival those of the winning jet design at a much lower cost. Boeing secured the contract for the US Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance program, or NGAD, to develop the sixth-generation F-47. Lockheed Martin didn't protest the decision. "Our target is 80% of the capability of an NGAD sixth-generation at 50% of the unit costs," Taiclet said. These improvements would be introduced in stages, he said, with consideration to how the aircraft will be integrated with other systems. Some updates could be done in two to three years for "a meaningful increase in capacity," Taiclet said. That includes stealth coatings on the aircraft's surface and adjustments to its shape, as well as electronic warfare and weapons capabilities upgrades. Sixth-generation are a class of aircraft whose stealth, speed, automation and extended range are expected to make them the world's premier aircraft as they enter service in the 2030s. More than 1,200 F-35s have already been delivered to the US and 12 additional countries' militaries. The F-35 program has hit several snags over the years, including costs and goals. The lifetime F-35 program costs top $2 trillion, and sustainability costs are also rising. Last year, the US Government Accountability Office assessed that the F-35 isn't hitting mission-capable goals and hasn't for years. On a company earnings call in April, Taiclet said the fifth-gen plus upgrade focused on better capabilities at a lower cost but details were sparse. "We're basically going to take the [F-35] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari," he said. Autonomous or uncrewed capabilities in aircraft have been a top priority for the US Air Force. Its Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative has focused on unmanned aircraft capable of operating alongside piloted aircraft or autonomously for a variety of missions. Air Force leadership has touted these "loyal wingmen" as not only giving pilots a variety of options for how to employ them — as sensors, weapons carriers, or jamming platforms — but also offering the possibility of having enough with lower costs than crewed aircraft. That could be key in a conflict with a peer adversary, like China or Russia. A pilot could direct a CCA on missions too dangerous for crewed fighters. At the conference, Taiclet said Lockheed Martin's interest in pilot-optional F-35s lent itself to the CCA. "We're thinking of the F-35 not just as a standalone aircraft, but how it can interface with sixth generation and with unmanned aircraft and itself be optionally manned," he said. Efforts for F-35 autonomy would be similar to the Air Force's AI-guided F-16 fighter jet that's been used in recent years to test AI pilots. The aircraft is part of the Air Force and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)'s AI fighter jet pilot program, which has been working on testing, iterating, and updating AI agents to fly the jet. Last year, then-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall flew in the X-62A pilot by AI, "witnessing several AI agents as they autonomously maneuvered the X-62 against a manned F-16 in dogfighting engagements," an Air Force official said at the time. Those manned-unmanned dogfights have been ongoing and the service has said it's learning a lot of information from them, especially on how autonomous aircraft could aid or support manned pilots. Read the original article on Business Insider
News18
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
F-22 Raptor: The 5th-Gen Fighter Jet That US Won't Sell
Last Updated: The US-built F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is a top fifth-generation fighter jet with stealth, supercruise, and unmatched agility In an era where warfare is increasingly defined by speed, stealth, and supremacy in the skies, fifth-generation fighter jets have become the ultimate symbols of military might. As nations race to outpace one another in aerospace technology, the United States, China, and Russia lead the charge, each wielding their own cutting-edge aircraft. But among them, one machine continues to soar above the rest, the US-built F-22 Raptor. Developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the F-22 Raptor was first tested in 1997 and officially inducted into the US Air Force by 2005. With a minuscule radar cross-section, the F-22 is nearly invisible to enemy radar systems, allowing it to infiltrate hostile airspace undetected. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines generating a combined 70,000 pounds of thrust, the jet is capable of 'supercruise", sustained supersonic flight without the use of fuel-guzzling afterburners. It cruises at speeds exceeding Mach 1.5 (approximately 1,850 km/h) and can climb to altitudes over 50,000 feet. Its agility in the air is unmatched, thanks to thrust vectoring technology that allows the jet to pivot and roll with astonishing precision. In dogfights, this maneuverability makes it nearly impossible to pin down. Equipped with the AN/APG-77 radar, the jet can detect and track enemies at long range. With sensor fusion technology, it delivers a 360-degree battlefield view to its pilot, offering a critical edge in complex air combat situations. Weapons-wise, the Raptor carries a lethal mix. It can house six AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two AIM-9 Sidewinders, a 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAM smart bomb, and a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon with 480 rounds, making it equally deadly against both airborne and ground threats. The F-22 was designed for air superiority. It's faster, topping Mach 2.25 (nearly 2,700 km/h), and more agile due to its advanced thrust vectoring. The F-35, on the other hand, is a versatile, multi-role combat aircraft tailored for a broader range of missions: air-to-ground strikes, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering. It comes in three variants for the Air Force (F-35A), Marines (F-35B for vertical landing), and Navy (F-35C for carrier operations). Though slower and less nimble, the F-35's strength lies in its adaptability and digital warfare capabilities, including its AN/APG-81 radar and Electro-Optical Targeting System. Despite its staggering capabilities, the F-22 remains exclusive to the United States. In 1998, Congress enacted a strict ban on its export, citing the need to safeguard its highly classified stealth and avionics systems. The fear? That this top-tier technology might fall into adversarial hands. Indeed, those fears weren't unfounded. In 2016, China was caught attempting to steal design blueprints of the F-22, F-35, and C-130 transport aircraft. Since then, Washington has doubled down on keeping the Raptor within American borders. Allies such as Japan, Israel, and Australia have repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the F-22. In one case, Lockheed Martin even proposed a hybrid model combining features of the F-22 and F-35 for Japan. But concerns over cost and export laws killed the deal. Instead, the US has promoted the more widely available – and export-friendly – F-35, which shares some DNA with the Raptor but lacks its specialised air dominance pedigree. India recently greenlit its own 5th-gen Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. While promising, it remains years away from operational deployment. For now, India, like many others, watches from the sidelines as the trio of aerial superpowers – the US, China, and Russia – unfold their futuristic wings. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
NATO Ally Gains Ground With Stealth Jet Rivaling U.S.
Turkey's first homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, KAAN, from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is generating increased global attention and buying interest, according to defense publications. Newsweek has reached out to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for comment. Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400s accelerated its drive for strategic autonomy and potential competition with the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22. Turkey is already becoming an increasingly important exporter of drones. Turkey's rising role, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, could change global defense dynamics. Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet program, Mehmet Demiroglu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said this week, according to the Bulgarian Military News. He added that the agreement phase has been reached with some countries, according to the Defense Mirror. According to TAI's website, KAAN achieves air superiority with long-range strikes, internal weapons, supersonic speed, and artificial intelligence enhanced combat power. It performed its maiden flight in February 2024. Demiroglu announced earlier this year that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet project. While Saudi Arabia may be looking to acquire 100 jets, the UAE's interest lies in the program itself, with potential for joint platform development, according to Forbes. The UAE's planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35s-following the signing of the Abraham Accords-was cancelled due to concerns about the UAE's military ties with China under the Biden administration. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) also noted that the UAE has been a major recipient of Chinese arms exports. Saudi Arabia, still distant from normalizing ties with Israel, signed $142 billion arms during Trump's recent visit, but uncertainty over F-35s is driving it to seek alternatives to American defense reliance. "This shift is driven by complex political dynamics, especially with US restrictions on the sale of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and Washington's prioritization of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge," Ali Bakir, nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East programs, wrote in January. Although Trump's Gulf allies have recently secured more arms deals, the U.S. is not viewed as the sole supplier. Arms restrictions have pushed other traditional U.S. allies such as Egypt, which borders Israel, to look to China for advanced fighter jets. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet, as quoted by the Defense Mirror: "Saudi Arabia has been interested for a long time, their interest is at the highest level right now. the Indonesian side is also doing well." Turkey's new fighter aircraft aims at replacing the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s starting in the 2030s. Related Articles Beach Clubs Offering First-Class Service, Food and ViewsTurkey's Erdogan Has Become One of World's Most Powerful Men-And Trump AllyNATO Issues Warning About Defense Spending Amid Threats from Russia, ChinaTrump: I'd Still Go to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine Talks if Appropriate 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
This Word Means: Fifth-generation fighter
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (May 27) approved the 'execution model' of India's proposed fifth-generation fighter jet, the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). In a departure from the past, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will have to compete either independently or in partnership with other firms to get the contract to manufacture the jet. This comes a year after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the project to design and develop AMCA, and just weeks after India and Pakistan tested each other's air power in a series of aerial exchanges during Operation Sindoor. What does 'generation' mean? Military analysts and aviation enthusiasts use the term 'generation' as a heuristic device to categorise fighter jets based on how technologically advanced they are. Put simply, each new generation of fighter jet comes with one or more significant leaps in technology that cannot be incorporated into aircraft of the previous generation through upgrades and retrospective fit-outs. Note that there is no standard definition of what constitutes a 'generation', and not all aircraft of the same generation are equal. Moreover, the measure of a country's air capabilities does not rest solely on what generation of fighter jets it possesses. What is a fifth-generation fighter? These are the most advanced fighter aircraft in operation today. Distinctive features include: In aviation, 'stealth' refers to an aircraft's ability to be invisible to detection by radars. Fifth-generation aircraft are built using composite materials, use radar absorbent paints, and incorporate stealthy designs which do not return radar signals to enemy receivers. Being invisible to radar only works as long as an aircraft can also inflict damage to the enemy from afar. Fifth-generation jets differentiate themselves with their beyond-visual-range (BVR) capabilities, meaning they can identify and shoot down adversaries before even their presence becomes known. Fifth-generation fighters boast modern computers and onboard software, which help automate or semi-automate many functions, and process battlefield information at a very advanced level. These include network capabilities (the ability of multiple aircraft to act seamlessly as one, like a hive mind), and advanced integrated avionics. At the moment, only the US (F-22 and F-35), Russia (Sukhoi Su-57), and China (Chengdu J-20) have developed operational fifth-generation aircraft. What do we know about AMCA? AMCA will be India's indigenous fifth-generation fighter. It is currently being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Since AMCA does not even have a working prototype at the moment, not much can be said about its features beyond the fact that it will be a stealthy, 25-tonne twin engine fighter jet, with a small radar cross-section and powerful sensors and new weapons. It will likely take at least another 10 years for the aircraft to be developed. Discussions for developing the AMCA started in 2007. The initial plan was to jointly develop the aircraft with Russia under a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme. However, India withdrew from the FGFA project in 2018.
