I will remember US military aircraft in 2008 as The Year of Indecision. We managed -- barely -- to elect a new President, but somehow couldn't summon the decisiveness to pick -- and stick with -- a measly new tanker. Ditto for combat search and rescue helicopters, F-22s and C-17s.
How may 2009 be remembered?
It could live as the year when finally the US Air Force and the Secretary of Defense adopted a unified airpower theory and then backed it up with funding. (Pause) ... Nah.
More likely, but still improbable, it could be the year when the aerospace novelty acts of the past decade -- ie, unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), high-altitude airships and airborne directed energy systems -- prove whether or not they're here to stay.
Indeed, the Northrop Grumman X-47B, Lockheed Martin HAA and Boeing Airborne Laser (ABL) and Airborne Tactical Laser (ATL) are each preparing for pivotal and potentially ground breaking years.
The Akron-based HAA is due for a first flight in the third quarter (or summer, to Northern Hemisphere folks). Senator Tom Coburn earlier this month derided HAA as one of the government's most excessive wastes of taxpayer money, but there's no doubt that interest in such high-altitude, stationary platforms runs high among DOD's civilian leadership.
In the late 3rd quarter/early fourth quarter timeframe, the Missile Defense Agency will find out if the $5 billion investment in the 747 ABL has produced a system capable of shooting down a ballistic missile -- at least in a demonstration. Meanwhile, the C-130-mounted ATL will begin a three-year user demonstration with special operations forces.
Finally, and perhaps most momentously, the X-47B should achieve first flight in the fourth quarter. If the unmanned combat air system-demonstration program succeeds, it could have a revolutionary impact on the future of military aircraft technology.
Here's my list for the most significant scheduled events for next year.
[UPDATE: I forgot a big one! Full STOVL-mode F-35B flight tests start in June!)
How may 2009 be remembered?
It could live as the year when finally the US Air Force and the Secretary of Defense adopted a unified airpower theory and then backed it up with funding. (Pause) ... Nah.
More likely, but still improbable, it could be the year when the aerospace novelty acts of the past decade -- ie, unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), high-altitude airships and airborne directed energy systems -- prove whether or not they're here to stay.
Indeed, the Northrop Grumman X-47B, Lockheed Martin HAA and Boeing Airborne Laser (ABL) and Airborne Tactical Laser (ATL) are each preparing for pivotal and potentially ground breaking years.
The Akron-based HAA is due for a first flight in the third quarter (or summer, to Northern Hemisphere folks). Senator Tom Coburn earlier this month derided HAA as one of the government's most excessive wastes of taxpayer money, but there's no doubt that interest in such high-altitude, stationary platforms runs high among DOD's civilian leadership.
In the late 3rd quarter/early fourth quarter timeframe, the Missile Defense Agency will find out if the $5 billion investment in the 747 ABL has produced a system capable of shooting down a ballistic missile -- at least in a demonstration. Meanwhile, the C-130-mounted ATL will begin a three-year user demonstration with special operations forces.
Finally, and perhaps most momentously, the X-47B should achieve first flight in the fourth quarter. If the unmanned combat air system-demonstration program succeeds, it could have a revolutionary impact on the future of military aircraft technology.
Here's my list for the most significant scheduled events for next year.
1Q
F-22 -
Re-certification by March 1
HC/MC-130
Recap - RFP release
STUAS/Tier
II - RFP ??
2Q
EA-18G -
SDD complete. FRP decision.
3Q
C-17 - 190th
airplane delivery
HAA - 1st
flight
Mobility
Requirements Study complete?
P-8A - First
flight
4Q
Airborne
Laser - Intercept Test
X-47B First Flight
[UPDATE: I forgot a big one! Full STOVL-mode F-35B flight tests start in June!)
on January 1, 2009 3:10 PM | Reply
First, thanks for the list of upcoming events.
Second, from a historical perspective, I'm betting the most significant events are the Airborne Laser (ABL) and the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) tests. If successful, they'll usher in the era of directed energy weapons. 'Phasers on full, Mr Sulu.'
I have to wonder if mirrored armor will be a future battlefield requirement and whether lasers will be more easily defeated than we think.
on January 2, 2009 8:00 PM | Reply
Trimbel you are a bit too critical on the year of decision. First, the Tanker rebid would have been protested by Boeing as a major change to criteria with too little time to prepare a bid. Having been in military contracting for 40 years and MANY protests they had a good case. Bottom line, the decision could never have been made anyway. As for the F-22, production hasn't stopped and there is little to no impact. Since SECDEF doesn't want the gold plated hot rods for USAF butts why not leave the decision to the guy who will be in charge for the next 4 years. No harm, no foul.