From: dpe@inel.gov (Don Palmrose)
Subject: Carrier Fighters (was: is the A-10 going bye-bye?)
Organization: INEL EG&G Idaho
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 16:44:30 GMT


From dpe@inel.gov (Don Palmrose)

In article <Bu0Co2.5L2@lawday.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>, youngs@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Scott D. Young) writes:
> 
> 
> From youngs@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Scott D. Young)
> 
> 
>    While in the topic of aircraft going away, here is a little tidbit I'd like
>    confirmed (or not confirmed):  I heard the Navy was going to standardize on
>    F/A-18s for the carriers.  This would mean the F-14 *and* A-6 would go away.
> 
>    Don't flame me; that's just what I heard.  I can't see it happening, because
>    of the short legs of the F/A-18 and the big bomb-carrying capability of the 
>    Intruder.  The idea of having 5 squadrons of 1 typr of plane might solve
>    some problems, but it still sounds like bull to me.  Anymore confirm or
>    deny this?
> 
>    Scott Young
>    youngs@ccu.umanitoba.ca
> 
> 

I hope that I have the two programs straight, but if not, let me appologize
early, so no flames please....

Anyway, here is my understanding of the situation:

With the demise of the US Navy's AX (?) program (the advance tactical bomber
based on stealth technology), there will not be a replacement aircraft for the 
venerable A-6.  All A-6's are coming up on their end of life due to the
buildup of stress in the airframes making them more and more dangerous to 
fly.  Whether the ATF (advance tactical fighter) will meet the same fate is
not known.  If this program is cut due to budget or does not meet its time
commitments, then there will not be a replacement for the F-14 when their
airframes reach their limit.  So basically, the naval air community is in
great dissarray over its future direction due to this clear danger for not
having a modern fighter or bomber at the end of this century.

The F/A-18 is the only aircraft in production today that can fill the fighter
or bomber roles.  Thus, there is some discussion on this plane holding the
Navy over until new fighter/bombers can be developed within the evolving
budget framework of the last half of the 1990's.

The Navy will also start loosing their E-2 Hawkeyes and there is no 
replacement plane for this either.  The Navy may well become dependent on Air
Force ACWS (?) planes for an air-borne warning system or hope that the Ageis 
system is as good as the magazine ads say for the detection of low flyers 
that, in the past, the air-borne radars were better at seeing.

Sounds like a mess to me.  

Don Palmrose
"I'd rather serve on a ship not designed to sink...."




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