Message posted by David Huie on February 23, 2003 at 8:42:54 PST:
Fortunately our local library subscribes to Jane's Defence Weekly and I have been able to read the article about the Lockheed Martin stealthy aircraft referred to by several contributors. This is called the MACK aircraft and is an idea for a multi-role aircraft for both special and conventinal forces. Modular systems would be installed for a number of possible missions: gunship, transport, cargo-lifter, refuelling tanker, sensor and relay platform, electronic attack, and information warfare. It is designed to satisfy studies for the proposed AC-X and possibly the M-X. In its gunship role (AC-X), to replace the AC-130U, it could be armed with laser and microwave weapons and launch missiles such as LOCAAS. As a stealthy transport (M-X) the proposed aircraft would have either short take-off/vertical landing or vertical take off and landing capabilities and long range. That essentially is the information contained about the MACK proposal an impression of which has appeared on this website. The article also describes the competing Boeing concept, which is based on the blended wing body design. For the M-X concept, Boeing is proposing a larger version of its Light Airborne Multipurpose Vehicle, designed to meet the Army's requirement for an Advanced Manoeuvre Transport. This aircraft, which is capable of being transported and stored in a standard ISO container, uses pullsed ejector thrust augmenter engines - not pulsed detonation engines! - for vertical take off and landing vertical take off and landing. It would have turbofans for cruise flight. This is really the essential substance of the article in Jane's - the reference to "making its way into the light from the classified black world" is not explained. DFH
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