Rickshaw,
I wasn't aware of just how strong the Vulcan's airframe was. I know the Buccaneer is/was built like a battleship and have a video(!) somewhere, that shows the Bucc's wing skins being milled from aluminum planks.
So here's my idea's,
SLEP 1
Avionics,
the Terrain following radar from the tornado GR.4,
Digital jam resistant radios,
Satcom,GPS,
Night vision compatible cockpit,
Wide angle Head up displays for both pilots,
Glass cockpit, with HDD's
FLIR and LLTV blisters under the nose like the B-52,
Extendable laser designation turret similar to the A-6's TRAM
Link 16 JTIDS, Chaff and flare dispensers under the rear fuselage,
Reduce the crew to 4 (pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Weapon systems operator/Observer.
SLEP 3
All the above plus-
Wing re-skinning, where necessary, Replacement of all metal control surfaces weapons bay doors, leading edge and non load bearing panels with Carbon/GRP ones,
Engines, replace the Olympus' with EJ200's (non afterburning), different intakes, like mrvr6's the supersonic Vulcan.
Replacing the nose section with an entirely new one with better windscreen, ejector seats for all crew, ogive radome, semi-retractable IFR probe also similar to mrvr6's the supersonic Vulcan.
removal of all unnecessary wiring and rewired pylons for Storm Shadow, Paveway LGB's, Taurus cruise missiles, HARM or ALARM
and reactivation of the Vulcan's other Skybolt pylons re-plumbed for drop tanks.
I have no idea if there is any room in a Vulcan's bay for a rotary launcher, like the one in the B-1B. If not, see if I could squeeze one in by bulging out the bay doors and hang LGB's Sea Eagles or Harpoon's on them.
I want to try and use off the shelf kit where ever possible to keep it affordable.
Can't think of anything else.
Does that sound right or wide of the mark?
Comments, suggestions either good or bad are more than welcome
Ken.
