Message posted by Gunslinger on December 22, 2000 at 19:57:05 EST:

It was almost exactly one year ago that Boeing 'rolled out' it's JSF prototype... Or, should I say, prototype*S*.

On Dec. 14th of last year, Boeing rolled out BOTH the -A and the -B, the 'A' variant being the version for the USAF, the 'B' being the version for the USN, as well as the Britiash Royal Navy and Air Force (To suplement the Harriers operating from the HMS Ark Royal, a 'ski-jump baby carrier').

However, all signifigant testing has been on the 'A' model. Boeing has claimed this is becuase the two are so alike that testing for one is testing for the other - what they fail to mention is that there's still severe problems with the 'B' variant. The USN is 'toeing the line' and keeping fairly quiet about it, but the Brits have been screamin g'bloody hell' about the 'horrible design'. They point to the F-4 PhantomII, which was a cross-service platform that transitioned splendidly. (Heck, the good ol' Prince of Wales was/is a Captain in the RN, and he flew F-4's...)

Personally, I just find it interesting that Boeing hasn't publicly commented on the supposed capabilities of the 'B', which has a stronger airframe/wingroot join and smaller intakes, as well as a three-inch smaller wheelbase and larger vectoring ducts. Maybe it IS specifically designed for S/VTOL use... but how 'effortlessly' does it breack Ernst Mach's magic number...? (*Grin*)

(Please note - the above is pure spit-balling in the interest of asking the question. Since Boeing hasn't been doing the testing, there is simply no numbers for a definitive answer either way...)

In Reply to: Xugly (X32) goes supersonic posted by gary on December 21, 2000 at 22:06:39 EST:

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