Lockheed Martin FB-22
| FB-22 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Line drawing of early FB-22 design without vertical stabilizers | |
| Role | Stealth bomber |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Status | Design proposal |
| Primary user | United States Air Force (intended) |
| Developed from | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor |
The Lockheed Martin FB-22 (sometimes called the Strike Raptor) was a proposed United States Air Force bomber aircraft. Its design was derived from the F-22 Raptor and was intended to replace the F-15E Strike Eagle. The FB-22 was to precede a next-generation 2037 Bomber.
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[edit] Design and development
In 2002, Lockheed Martin began studying a modified bomber version of the F-22 Raptor fighter, featuring a delta wing, longer body and greater range and payload.[1] The FB-22 medium bomber is based on existing and planned capabilities of the F-22 fighter, a heritage that would limit development costs and risks should the idea go into production. The FB-22 was planned to serve as a regional bomber, a role previously covered by the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark.[2]
The FB-22 differs from the original F-22 design significantly. A lengthened fuselage and larger delta wing provide greater fuel capacity for greater range of some 1,600 miles (2,600 km).[2] This also allows room for a larger internal weapons bay, better suiting long range attack missions and improved stealth.[3] Changing to an improved engine such as the F-35 Lightning II's Pratt & Whitney F135, or the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 is possible.[4] The FB-22 would have a maximum speed of Mach 1.92.[5]
One early FB-22 concept featured no tailplanes.[5] The FB-22 design incorporated twin tailplanes and likely would have fixed engine nozzles as opposed to the thrust vectoring nozzles on the F-22.[5] The FB-22 design could carry 30 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), which weigh just 250 pounds (110 kg), compared with the F-22's payload of eight.[1]
Research is currently being conducted to develop stealth ordnance pod and pylon. Such a pod would comprise a low observable shape and carry its weapons internally, then would open when launching a missile or dropping a bomb. The pod and pylon could be detached when no longer needed. This would allow a stealth aircraft to carry a far greater amount of ordnance than the internal bays alone, while still allowing the craft to maintain its stealth characteristics.[3] Because of the work already done on the F-22, developing the FB-22 might cost about 25% of designing a new bomber.[3]
[edit] Interim bomber
The FB-22 was considered an entrant to a new USAF proposal for an interim bomber with strategic capabilities to become operational by 2018.[6] In order to achieve such an ambitious entry into service date, an aircraft based on an already proven platform (such as the FB-22) may have been desired.[7] The 2018 bomber will be an interim bomber to a future bomber to be fielded by 2037. However, the FB-22 in its planned form appears to have been canceled with the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review and subsequent developments, in lieu of a bomber with much greater range.[8][9][10]
[edit] Specifications (proposed)
Data from Miller,[5] Tirpak[3]
- Crew: 1 (pilot) or 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
- Max takeoff weight: 120,000 lb (54,431 kg)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.92
- Range: 2,071 mi; 3,334 km (1,800 nmi) (combat radius)[3]
- G limits: 6 g
Armament
- Missiles: 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM
- Bombs: 30× GBU-39 Small-Diameter Bombs
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ a b RS21848, "Air Force FB-22 Bomber Concept". CRS, 5 June 2006. Retrieved: 25 July 2009.
- ^ a b Tirpak, John A. "Long Arm of the Air Force". Air Force magazine, October 2002. http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2002/October%202002/1002longarm.aspx. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Tirpak, John A. "The Raptor as Bomber." Air Force magazine, January 2005. Retrieved: 25 July 2009.
- ^ Sweetman, Bill. "Smarter Bomber". Popular Science, 12 June 2002. http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2002-06/smarter-bomber?page=1. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d Miller 2005, pp. 76-77.
- ^ Hebert, Adam J. "Long-Range Strike in a Hurry". Air Force magazine, November 2004.
- ^ "New Long-Range Bomber On Horizon For 2018". Physorg.com, July 27, 2006.
- ^ "Quadrennial Defense Review Report" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense, 6 February 2006. http://www.defenselink.mil/qdr/report/Report20060203.pdf. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ Hebert, Adam J. "The 2018 Bomber and Its Friends". Air Force magazine, October 2006.
- ^ "Return of the Bomber, The Future of Long-Range Strike" (PDF). Air Force Association, February 2007. p. 28. http://www.afa.org/mitchell/reports/0207bombers.pdf. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- Miller, Jay. Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor, Stealth Fighter. Aerofax, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-158-X.
[edit] External links
- FB-22 Fighter Bomber page on Air-Attack.com
- FB-22 Fighter Bomber page on GlobalSecurity.org
- "Doubts Surround Bomber's Future". Aviation Week, 24 February 2003.
- "Experimental technology could be applied to FB-22 bomber variant". Flight International, 25 May 2004.
- "Lockheed refines FB-22 concept". Flightglobal.com, 4 January 2005
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