<XMP><BODY></xmp> Medium Bombers

Added 9-7-01
Updated 18-6-09

Medium bomber.

        Since the retirement of the A-6 Intruder American forces lack a small weapons platform that can carry a large load of bombs, missiles or torpedos a long distance and operate from a forward field or a carrier. What is needed is a small tactical version of the B-2 bomber. The FB-22 Strike Raptor seems to be a step in the right direction although bomb capacity seems to be smaller and this design may get shelved in favour of a replacement B-2 heavy bomber design.

        The A-12 was supposed to fill this role, but was canceled due to massive cost overruns. One gets the impression that the A-12 was trying to be too clever. Aircraft such as the Horten demonstrate that such an aircraft is possible without the need for exotic materials.

        The new form of medium bomber should be a two man flying wing design with internal weapon bays. These bays should be large enough to accomodate weapons such as tactical versions of the SRAM, torpedos or cruise missiles. When the tactical situation permits the aircraft should be capable of also using externally mounted drop tanks or bomb racks.

        Among the benefits found with the F-16 CCV experimental plane was that the greater control allowed dumb bombs to be delivered with great accuracy, approaching that of a smart missile. A similar system of controls might be used on the future medium bomber.



        On the left is an illustration of what such an aircraft may look like, a design I call the Merlin. The design utilizes the cranked arrow delta configuration tested with the F-16XL and adds a few stealth features. Colour scheme is based on the Heater-Ferris scheme.
        Many thanks to Nate Turner for his work in producing this image.

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