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Description
What If...

Looking for a replacement for the F-18C in the intercepter role, the Marines purchased, along with the USAF, the Boeing F-31C 'Hawk'.

In order to fill a need to replace some F-18C's as soon as possible the USAF gave up some of the aircraft destined to them for the Marines. Some of the aircraft the Marines received were painted in the USAF paint scheme.

The F-31C is based on the North American/Rockwell - MBB X-31, off the shelf componets from the F-15, f-16 and F-18. Boeing had developed the F-31 to meet the requirements of LWEM (LightWeight Enhanced Manuverability Figher)

The aircraft has modular engine bay which enables it to use the GE F414-450 or Pratt Whitney F100-FW-300 Turbofan engine without major modifications.

Because of the excellent weight to thrust ratio, the plane is capable of supercruise with out the use of the afterburner. The actual Mach number it can reach is currently classified.

Similar in appearance to the X-31 reseach aircraft - the F-31C makes use of 3 - ceramic composte paddles in the thrust stream to enhance manuverability by deflecting thrust and changing the AOA of the aircraft.

Much of its structure is made from composite material and aluminum to lower weight.

It has a Raython AN/APG-63(V3) AESA radar - but with a modular bay, it can be fitted with other radars. Allowing outher countries the choice of which radar to equip the F-31 with.

IAI developed universal armament software, that allows the aricraft to carrry a variety of weapons.

The F-31 is armed with 2 - 27mm Mauser Cannons. It has 2 wingtip and four IAI universal underwing weapons pylons - capable of handling US, NATO and other countries air to air missles - including Russian systems.

In place of the under wing rails, two of the pylons are plumbed for fuel tanks as is the centerline pylon, which is capable of carrying a fuel tank or a TER with additonal 4 SBD's.

This drawing shows an F-31C from VFMA-232 'Red Devils' the aircraft is one of the first aircraft received, hence the USAF paint.

Will be doing a USAF version of the aircraft as well.

Description
What If...

Looking for a replacement for the F-18C in the intercepter role, the Marines purchased, along with the USAF, the Boeing F-31C 'Hawk'.

In order to fill a need to replace some F-18C's as soon as possible the USAF gave up some of the aircraft destined to them for the Marines. Some of the aircraft the Marines received were painted in the USAF paint scheme.

The F-31C is based on the North American/Rockwell - MBB X-31, off the shelf componets from the F-15, f-16 and F-18. Boeing had developed the F-31 to meet the requirements of LWEM (LightWeight Enhanced Manuverability Figher)

The aircraft has modular engine bay which enables it to use the GE F414-450 or Pratt Whitney F100-FW-300 Turbofan engine without major modifications.

Because of the excellent weight to thrust ratio, the plane is capable of supercruise with out the use of the afterburner. The actual Mach number it can reach is currently classified.

Similar in appearance to the X-31 reseach aircraft - the F-31C makes use of 3 - ceramic composte paddles in the thrust stream to enhance manuverability by deflecting thrust and changing the AOA of the aircraft.

Much of its structure is made from composite material and aluminum to lower weight.

It has a Raython AN/APG-63(V3) AESA radar - but with a modular bay, it can be fitted with other radars. Allowing outher countries the choice of which radar to equip the F-31 with.

IAI developed universal armament software, that allows the aricraft to carrry a variety of weapons.

The F-31 is armed with 2 - 27mm Mauser Cannons. It has 2 wingtip and four IAI universal underwing weapons pylons - capable of handling US, NATO and other countries air to air missles - including Russian systems.

In place of the under wing rails, two of the pylons are plumbed for fuel tanks as is the centerline pylon, which is capable of carrying a fuel tank or a TER with additonal 4 SBD's.

This drawing shows an F-31C from VFMA-232 'Red Devils' the aircraft is one of the first aircraft received, hence the USAF paint.

Will be doing a USAF version of the aircraft as well.