NASA Technical Memorandum 110388 Future Carrier-based Tactical Aircraft Study Jeffrey J. Samuels, Andrew S. Hahn, David R. Schleicher, Samuel B. Wilson III, Kevin B. Carbajal, and Paul A. Gelhausen March 1996 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center Moffett Field, California 94035-1000 NASA Technical Memorandum 110388 Future Carrier-based Tactical Aircraft Study Jeffrey J. Samuels, Andrew S. Hahn, David R. Schleicher, Samuel B. Wilson III, Kevin B. Carbajal, and Paul A. Gelhausen, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California March 1996 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center Moffett Field, California 94035-1000 Contents Page Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................................................ v Summary....................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Section I– Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Section II – Aircraft Similarities................................................................................................................................... 4 A. Geometry ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 B. Aerodynamics................................................................................................................................................. 4 C. Structural Weight............................................................................................................................................ 4 D. Fixed Equipment............................................................................................................................................ 5 E. Propulsion Database....................................................................................................................................... 5 F. Design Missions............................................................................................................................................. 8 G. Weapons ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 H. Carrier Compatibility...................................................................................................................................... 10 I. Maneuver Requirements................................................................................................................................ 10 J. Structural Limits............................................................................................................................................. 10 K. Overall Density Constraints ........................................................................................................................... 11 L. Low Observables Design................................................................................................................................ 11 Section III – Aircraft Differentiators ............................................................................................................................ 13 A. Fighter ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 B. Attack ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 1. Conventional Attack................................................................................................................................ 15 2. Flying Wing............................................................................................................................................ 16 C. Multimission................................................................................................................................................... 16 1. STOVL Strike Fighter (SSF) .................................................................................................................. 18 Section IV – Results...................................................................................................................................................... 20 A. Basic Aircraft Data......................................................................................................................................... 20 B. Attack Aircraft Trends.................................................................................................................................... 20 1. Two vs. Four Bombs ............................................................................................................................... 28 2. One vs. Two Crewmembers .................................................................................................................... 28 3. External vs. Internal Weapons ................................................................................................................ 29 4. Conventional vs. Medium FW Planform ................................................................................................ 29 5. Technology.............................................................................................................................................. 31 6. Range-Payload Efficiency....................................................................................................................... 32 iii C. Multimission Aircraft Trends......................................................................................................................... 33 1. Impact of Requirements .......................................................................................................................... 33 2. Impact of Technology ............................................................................................................................. 36 3. Impact of Hover T/W Required .............................................................................................................. 38 D. Operational Mission Performance Data ......................................................................................................... 39 1. Strike Range vs. Payload ........................................................................................................................ 39 2. DLI Range vs. Mach Number ................................................................................................................. 41 3. CAP Range vs. Loiter Time .................................................................................................................... 43 E. SSF DOC Mission Fallout Range Performance Data .................................................................................... 47 1. Aircraft Class Comparison ...................................................................................................................... 48 2. Attack Aircraft Comparison .................................................................................................................... 52 F. Propulsion Sensitivities.................................................................................................................................. 53 Section V – Conclusions............................................................................................................................................... 55 A. Multimission Aircraft Comparison ................................................................................................................ 55 B. Attack Aircraft Comparison ........................................................................................................................... 55 C. Design Study Recommendations.................................................................................................................... 55 References..................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Appendix A – Detailed Information for Aircraft .......................................................................................................... 57 Summary Description ............................................................................................................................................ 57 Weights Description .............................................................................................................................................. 57 Propulsion Description .......................................................................................................................................... 58 Aerodynamics Description .................................................................................................................................... 58 Maneuver Performance Description ...................................................................................................................... 58 Mission Performance Description ......................................................................................................................... 58 Geometry