Lockheed Martin has revealed images of a stealthy, supersonic
strike aircraft designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace in
the initial phase of a conflict and deliver precision-guided
munitions on time- sensitive and other high-value targets.
The company developed the concept, which it refers to generically
as the 'long-range strike aircraft', in support of studies on
future strike platforms that the US Air Force Research Laboratory
(AFRL) is leading.
Although the air force anticipates operating its current bomber
force of B-1B, B-2A and B-52H aircraft until 2040, it is examining
complementary capabilities. It is prioritising its technology
investments to be in a position to launch a next-generation strike
programme around 2012-15, with the goal of fielding the system
starting around 2020. The system it chooses may not be an aircraft,
but rather a capability that traverses space, or some other
unconventional approach.
Nonetheless, the service is examining a range of notional subsonic,
supersonic and hypersonic aircraft designs as it formulates its
technology roadmap.
The Lockheed Martin aircraft is a M2.0-M4.0-class system with
highly swept wings and large engines, said Kevin Renshaw, Lockheed
Martin's programme manager for long-range strike and advanced
combat aircraft. Crew would consist of a pilot and a weapons
systems operator.
The company is examining a mix of payload and range options. A
payload capacity between 15,000 lb and 40,000 lb (6,802kg and
18,140kg) is envisaged, Renshaw told Jane's Defence Weekly, noting
that between 20,000 lb and 25,000 lb appears to be the preferred
design trade space. The concept has a notional combat radius of
3,000 miles (4,827km) without mid-air refuelling.
Renshaw said the company believes that many of the key technologies
exist today for such a system but need to be refined so that they
are smaller, lighter and more affordable. The company has a
heritage in developing supersonic aircraft like the M2.0-class B-58
Hustler bomber and M3.2-class SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance
aircraft.
One area Renshaw highlighted for improvement is the cruise
efficiencies of supersonic engines so that they require only
one-half to two-thirds the fuel of existing
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