F-22 Editorial For Maggie

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by tw

As MaggieL notes, before one can build a weapons system, first, one must define objectives. They cannot even agree as to whether China is a threat, let alone how much.

It is also important to keep in mind that, given the years of development and testing required to bring a new air platform into service, you can't really wait until your threats are known...you have to project and hope that the capabilities you build in prove to be useful when the hit hits the fan.

[Pangloss62]

If I'm arguing I was unaware of it.

I think we locked horns on the Osprey. How about D-E-B-A-T-I-N-G?

Regardless, didn't McDonnel Douglas compete with Lockeed Martin for the prototype of that fighter? And wasn't their prototype a VTOL-type jet like the Harrier? If so, perhaps they chose the wrong one. I think there was a NOVA episode about that whole competition.

[Griff]

The Joint Strike Fighter had a VTOL version. According to that article the short take off and landing version will still be produced.

[Pangloss62]

Thanks Griff. Below is the one I remember:

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Griff

The Joint Strike Fighter had a VTOL version. According to that article the short take off and landing version will still be produced.

Short take-off, vertical landing. In demo, they got one airborne in < 500 feet, took it supersonic and then landed vertically. Heavily loaded Harriers are flown short take-off too...that's why those Brit carriers have ramps for launching.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Heavily laden helicopters do a short takeoff run, if they have room. Much, much safer and easier on the equipment.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Heavily laden helicopters do a short takeoff run, if they have room.

And wheels. :-)

[xoxoxoBruce]

If they don't have wheels, they lift just enough to break contact or skids on grass they'll actually slide, then start their run to pick up momentum while gaining altitude.
The rotors on a helicopter are different from the propeller on a plane. Rotors are actually a rotary wing and forward (or any direction) momentum is a great help in getting airborne, safely. A vertical ascent is the least stable situation for a helicopter and subject to an array of possible disruptions.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Pangloss62

I think there was a NOVA episode about that whole competition.

There was. McD-D disappeared into Boeing in 1997.

I'm just not somebody who will debate you on the F-22, though; I don't know enough about the technical situation to have an informed opinion.