Little known / experimental aircraft

[ChuckMK23]

Honestly wouldn't be bad as a platform, the Modern A-1 Skyraider, "Sandys" !

A-10's have that role today - and increasingly going to F-35A with external stores. The team that will come get you after you eject - blue or grey jet will be CV-22 with F-35A. In AF Doctrine the term is "RESCORT".

Rescue Escort (RESCORT). Based on threats to the IP and the recovery force, RESCORT is an integral part of CSARTF. RESCORT aircraft provide navigation assistance, route sanitization, and armed escort for the recovery vehicle(s). In increased threat environments, this assistance significantly improves the chances of a successful recovery. Ideally, RESCORT aircraft should be tactical aircraft capable of operating in the same environment as recovery vehicles. RESCORT formations should be proficient 21 in rendezvous procedures, escort tactics at medium and low altitudes, and defense of the rescue vehicles during mission execution

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

There is no reason an F-35 should ever have external stores, and if that is what the USAF and USMC are training to, that is a huge waste of time and resources. It's the equivalent of buying a racing-based Porsche or Ferrari model and only using it to drive your kid to school.

 

[Austin-Powers]

Wow..to agree with Hoya, this also seems overly complicated as a mission, and to add to your comparison, I imagine it’s like strapping an elephant to a Ferrari.

 

[phrogdriver]

Honestly wouldn't be bad as a platform, the Modern A-1 Skyraider, "Sandys" !

Except the USAF is re-gearing its CSAR to focus on longer-range missions in a high-intensity conflict. Neither of those prop planes, nor the A-10, are useful in that role going forward.

Neither is the H-60W, either, which is why the USAF truncated that buy while it figures this out.

 

[HuggyU2]

Good RESCORT story.
Capt John Glass in the lead helicopter later came to the U-2.

The Night They Saved Vega 31 | Air & Space Forces Magazine

The rescue of F-117 pilot Dale Zelko was a close-run thing.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[taxi1]

There is no reason an F-35 should ever have external stores…

Well, once the stores are dropped it doesn’t.

There are probably some missions where bomb quantity > stealth capability?

 

[taxi1]

1. Not a USN/USMC theater or mission

Maybe, but I wonder if a floatplane variant isn’t doable. Infinite runways even in the jungle.

 

[sevenhelmet]

Well, once the stores are dropped it doesn’t.

There are probably some missions where bomb quantity > stealth capability?

That’s what the 18s and 15s are for, isn’t it?

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

There are probably some missions where bomb quantity > stealth capability?

As @sevenhelmet said, I would argue that there are platforms that have more capability in terms of ordnance, weapons carried, and training/proficiency with A/S fires if we are plinking JDAMs from the CAS stack in a permissive environment.

 

[phrogdriver]

As @sevenhelmet said, I would argue that there are platforms that have more capability in terms of ordnance, weapons carried, and training/proficiency with A/S fires if we are plinking JDAMs from the CAS stack in a permissive environment.

But you typically don’t have the capacity to keep two separate fleets of aircraft

 

[phrogdriver]

Maybe, but I wonder if a floatplane variant isn’t doable. Infinite runways even in the jungle.

That would like it as slow as a helicopter. And we already have those

 

[Griz882]

That would like it as slow as a helicopter. And we already have those

Modern seaplanes, like the US-2 are faster than any helicopter and the V-22 and have more range. Any war with China will be fought over the water with no local dirt bases like we’ve become used too. The seaplane isn’t a terrible idea.

 

[Griz882]

A-10's have that role today - and increasingly going to F-35A with external stores. The team that will come get you after you eject - blue or grey jet will be CV-22 with F-35A. In AF Doctrine the term is "RESCORT".

Rescue Escort (RESCORT). Based on threats to the IP and the recovery force, RESCORT is an integral part of CSARTF. RESCORT aircraft provide navigation assistance, route sanitization, and armed escort for the recovery vehicle(s). In increased threat environments, this assistance significantly improves the chances of a successful recovery. Ideally, RESCORT aircraft should be tactical aircraft capable of operating in the same environment as recovery vehicles. RESCORT formations should be proficient 21 in rendezvous procedures, escort tactics at medium and low altitudes, and defense of the rescue vehicles during mission execution

I ain’t able to speak Air Force too good but I hope somewhere in that language is a call for two KC’s at mid-range and three or four -130’s in closer to get those fellas there and back.

 

[phrogdriver]

Modern seaplanes, like the US-2 are faster than any helicopter and the V-22 and have more range. Any war with China will be fought over the water with no local dirt bases like we’ve become used too. The seaplane isn’t a terrible idea.

I thought he was talking about a seaplane CAS aircraft. That’s what the bullet he quoted was about.

 

[sevenhelmet]

Modern seaplanes, like the US-2 are faster than any helicopter and the V-22 and have more range. Any war with China will be fought over the water with no local dirt bases like we’ve become used too. The seaplane isn’t a terrible idea.

Don’t worry about it, Grizz. He’s obviously trolling us.