7th Generation Combat Aircraft

[tc2324]

As we enter the era of the 5th Gen combat aircraft, I`m looking to start researching my next whif project which would be a concept fighter/bomber which would fall under the 7th Gen catagory. It seems that some experts think the 6th Gen will be based on the UAV approach, but I feel that for the 7th gen, putting a pilot back in the seat will be the way to go.

A few ideas I`ve had so far are,

1. Aircraft capable of space flight
2. Alternative power scource (something a bit more realistic though than `warp` drive)
3. Going backwards (What I mean by this is that the aerospace industry de-evolves going back to props or less technical designs as the ECM avionics can now supply a safe enviroment for the aircraft to operate in)
4. Ultimate VTOL design (A VTOL aircraft that surpasses previous designs)

Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this one.  :)

[GTX_Admin]

Well, given a 7th Gen Combat aircraft is probably late this century it is certainly difficult to be accurate regarding what it may or may not entail.  That aside, my predictions based upon current state of the art and developments are as follow:

• First up, I think you will see the roles of bomber and fighter fully merge.  You will instead have a single combat platform;
• Personally, i believe that fully autonomous UCAS will be very prevalent.  That aside though, if you want to consider inhabited platforms, I suppose they could both exist
• Maybe you will something akin to a cross between the lenticular bomber and star trek enterprise.  This would be permanently in orbit/high altitude and will by default be hypersonic.  It may carry some deployable UCAS/URAS/micro-satellites though it's main weapon will be directed energy weapons of some sort.  It will also have outstanding sensor and data fusion capabilities though these will not necessarily be all inboard.  Such a platform will be akin to an omnipresent B-2 ( in both price and quantity) that can strike anywhere in a matter of tens of minutes.
• Finally, I think you will find the 7th Gen combat platform being used more like Destroyers are today

[kitnut617]

I think I can cover the VTOL bit ---   

You can see more of it in my McDonnell Douglas AV-19A thread

[Alvis 3.1]

Something so ludricrously expensive, the USAF/USN can only afford one, and are too afraid to deploy it in case it gets destroyed.
Every country/alliance tries to make one as well, bankrupting several smaller countries and tying up developments for decades.
It would be stealthy, hypersonic, STOVL, and semi-submersible.
You can control it with your mind, but only if you think in Russian.

Support contracts are handled by the Mafia.

And something that causes never ending squabbles online as to how bad/perfect it really is. 
Alvis 3.1

[Jeffry Fontaine]

It will be powered by a high performance-low residue fuel called "Sewell Fuel" that is produced by AeroTech Industries.  They will be maintained by service droids with humanoid proportions and features built by Silicatetronics. 

[Litvyak]

The 7th Generation will be after the third world war and will be made of wood and fabric, with hand-cranked engines salvaged from lawnmowers and similar machines, running on ethanol...

[Alvis 3.1]

It will be powered by a high performance-low residue fuel called "Sewell Fuel" that is produced by AeroTech Industries.  They will be maintained by service droids with humanoid proportions and features built by Silicatetronics.

Pfft, everyone knows "Sewell Fuel" is just retro-engineered from a sample stolen from the "Chigs". Chigs make much better aerospace vehicles, and can do the Cobra manuever at the edge of an accretion disk before you can eat your pancakes!

Alvis 3.1

[Evil Flower]

7th gen will probably be stripped-down piston-engine fighters piloted by mohawked leather pirates.

[taiidantomcat]

It will be powered by a high performance-low residue fuel called "Sewell Fuel" that is produced by AeroTech Industries.  They will be maintained by service droids with humanoid proportions and features built by Silicatetronics.

Pfft, everyone knows "Sewell Fuel" is just retro-engineered from a sample stolen from the "Chigs". Chigs make much better aerospace vehicles, and can do the Cobra manuever at the edge of an accretion disk before you can eat your pancakes!

Alvis 3.1

As a huge fan of this show.... Thank you both!  MAde my day.

[Logan Hartke]

A few ideas I`ve had so far are,

1. Aircraft capable of space flight
2. Alternative power scource (something a bit more realistic though than `warp` drive)
3. Going backwards (What I mean by this is that the aerospace industry de-evolves going back to props or less technical designs as the ECM avionics can now supply a safe enviroment for the aircraft to operate in)
4. Ultimate VTOL design (A VTOL aircraft that surpasses previous designs)

5. Completely unaffordable for any sovereign nation.

I think this is a prerequisite for being a 7th Generation combat aircraft.

Cheers,

Logan

[Daryl J.]

No, everyone is wrong:   All manned aircraft will be Super Hornets in the West capable of destroying the satellites responsible  for drone control. 

[Volkodav]

Personally I was thinking of a dug up, re-engined, zero timed, bleeding edge avionics upgrade, F-111C called the F-111S^TM as per the clown clubs ravings.  Sort of an aircraft version of the "Space Battleship Yamato"

[Rickshaw]

If we continue to follow the trends predicted in Mary Kaldor's book The Baroque Arsenal, there will be exactly one Seventh Generation combat aircraft.