HOME | DD

Description
Winner of the ATF project, the Lockheed F-22 Raptor was intended to replace the F-15 in the USAF's inventory. However, the spiralling costs of the project was likely to curtail the numbers to something much lower than the aircraft it was replacing. A way of lowering the unit cost was required, but as the type was forbidden to be exported by Congress, this would be nigh-impossible.
Taking the initiative in 1993, Lockheed teamed with former rivals Grumman to offer the US Navy a fully navalised variant as an F-14 replacement. Compared to the original, the naval variant would add around two tonnes (4,400lbs) of reinforcement to the airframe and undercarriage to allow for catapult launches and arrested landings, with wing fold mechanisms added outboard of the underwing hardpoints. Maximum take-off weight was unchanged, meaning that the aircraft's potential payload would be reduced by roughly 6,000lbs; however, this was considered an adequate trade-off by the designers since it would not impact the primary fleet air defence mission. The final change made was to canter the tailfins further outwards to reduce the overall height by 10 inches so it could be easily accommodated in aircraft carrier hangars.

The authorisation was given to modify two airframes by the Clinton administration to F-22B conversion trainer and F-22C naval configuration in 1995. Both variants were ordered for immediate delivery. Initially, the Navy was against the proposal, hoping for a revival of the NATF project for a two-seat, variable geometry 5th-gen fighter to replace the Tomcat. However, it rapidly became clear that this was the only programme in town.
  This proposal reduced the per-unit cost and spread it out to two services, instead of just one, allowing the number of Raptors delivered to exceed 600 across all three variants; not as many as the USAF and US Navy had wanted, but better than the alternative. No naval trainer was produced; instead, the US Navy received several F-22B land-based aircraft to train its F-22C pilots.

*               *               *

Feeling generous? Buy me a coffee

*               *               *

For backstory on the JALF, LFX and AASF projects, see here .

You can see the rest of the stuff in this AU here: Saxonverse: the Premiership of Harry Saxon

Description
Winner of the ATF project, the Lockheed F-22 Raptor was intended to replace the F-15 in the USAF's inventory. However, the spiralling costs of the project was likely to curtail the numbers to something much lower than the aircraft it was replacing. A way of lowering the unit cost was required, but as the type was forbidden to be exported by Congress, this would be nigh-impossible.
Taking the initiative in 1993, Lockheed teamed with former rivals Grumman to offer the US Navy a fully navalised variant as an F-14 replacement. Compared to the original, the naval variant would add around two tonnes (4,400lbs) of reinforcement to the airframe and undercarriage to allow for catapult launches and arrested landings, with wing fold mechanisms added outboard of the underwing hardpoints. Maximum take-off weight was unchanged, meaning that the aircraft's potential payload would be reduced by roughly 6,000lbs; however, this was considered an adequate trade-off by the designers since it would not impact the primary fleet air defence mission. The final change made was to canter the tailfins further outwards to reduce the overall height by 10 inches so it could be easily accommodated in aircraft carrier hangars.

The authorisation was given to modify two airframes by the Clinton administration to F-22B conversion trainer and F-22C naval configuration in 1995. Both variants were ordered for immediate delivery. Initially, the Navy was against the proposal, hoping for a revival of the NATF project for a two-seat, variable geometry 5th-gen fighter to replace the Tomcat. However, it rapidly became clear that this was the only programme in town.
  This proposal reduced the per-unit cost and spread it out to two services, instead of just one, allowing the number of Raptors delivered to exceed 600 across all three variants; not as many as the USAF and US Navy had wanted, but better than the alternative. No naval trainer was produced; instead, the US Navy received several F-22B land-based aircraft to train its F-22C pilots.

*               *               *

Feeling generous? Buy me a coffee

*               *               *

For backstory on the JALF, LFX and AASF projects, see here .

You can see the rest of the stuff in this AU here: Saxonverse: the Premiership of Harry Saxon