Cost is another factor that must be considered in trade-offs, Dolvin allows. The cost-effectiveness consideration wavers between dollars per strike and dollars per mission. While these capabilities are far beyond those of most existing aircraft, Dolvin emphasizes that future strike planners are not reaching too far beyond technological capabilities. We are looking at solutions that can be brought to bear in the next 15 years. The aircraft would begin operation in the 2022 to 2025 time frame.
Significant challenges remain.
Dolvin describes air propulsion system integration as one of the long poles in the tent. Weapons integration and release is another area of concern, especially when deploying munitions from a multi-Mach air vehicle. Researchers also must determine controllability, stability and reconfigurability of the flight control system at these high speeds. Other enabling programs will be necessary to develop the technologies required to build this vehicle. Several major aerospace companies are participating in the future strike study.