What are Boeing about to reveal?

[Trevatanus]

Could be exciting, or just something that's years old and they are showing it off for the first time?
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16984/boeing-...

[paolow]

Klingon Bird of Prey - B'rel Class I believe

Edited by paolow on Thursday 14th December 21:04

[williamp]

sleigh??

[FourWheelDrift]

[TLandCruiser]

Drone of some type

[4x4Tyke]

TLandCruiser said:

Drone of some type

That was my first thought, there is no sign of a cockpit dome but why the high gull wing?

That is rather unusual in this day and age without large props.

[LotusOmega375D]

Hmm teaser eh? Must be the new McLaren Boeing Series. Twin turbo V8 under there, no doubt.

[Brother D]

This. It had better be this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/uni...

[hyphen]

LotusOmega375D said:

Hmm teaser eh? Must be the new McLaren Boeing Series. Twin turbo V8 under there, no doubt.

Stupid isn't it.

If it is actually that good, then why waste time, just reveal the damn thing, no teaser needed.

[FourWheelDrift]

"Boeing’s MQ-25 unmanned aircraft system is completing engine runs before heading to the flight ramp for deck handling demonstrations next year. The aircraft is designed to provide the U.S. Navy with refueling capabilities that would extend the combat range of deployed Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters."

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-12-19-Boeing-Shar...

[The Hypno-Toad]

Well that's a bit dull....

So does it just fly along in formation and then when the F18s are thirsty they take a drink? It's a flying drop tank?

Not quite sure how that's the combat game changer that people were talking about yesterday.

[FourWheelDrift]

I know, a pilotless drone filled with fuel. What could possibly go wrong.

[anonymous-user]

In reality, in a threat situation (a war) does refueling actually extend the combat range of fighter planes? I mean, the enemy just hang around the tanker, wait for the fighters to hook on, and shoot em both out the sky, sitting ducks surely?

[RDMcG]

The question in my mind is:

This is a refuelling drone. What is to stop the next generation of fighter aircraft being pilotless?....look how far we shave com I the last 20 years. How about the next 20?

[Fabric]

Max_Torque said:

In reality, in a threat situation (a war) does refueling actually extend the combat range of fighter planes? I mean, the enemy just hang around the tanker, wait for the fighters to hook on, and shoot em both out the sky, sitting ducks surely?

Bear in mind that "the" tanker will now be multiple tankers, since several of these will probably pull fuel from a string of larger (manned) refueling craft at a safe range from the theater, and then distribute it across multiple locations, to multiple groups simultaneously - I'd imagine they will initially increase loiter time in and around areas of operation, which should translate to greater combat effectiveness, and thereby combat range.

It'll be a huge win for ISTAR capabilities too if these things can stay up for days at a time refueling other drones autonomously.

[Taita]

Yup, that is pretty damned cool.

Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy has some good sections that highlight just how critical AAR can be in a decent shooting match.

[dvs_dave]

I think what people have missed is that the point of this is that it’s a Carrier based tanker. Being pilotless, well it might as well be and you can get a lot of fuel in the space otherwise required to support a crew, so allowing a meaningful fuel capacity in a form factor compatible with carrier operations. Being able to independently extend the range of carrier based aircraft fleets is a HUGE advantage. Land based tanker aircraft rendezvous are just not viable in many parts of the world.

[Wozy68]

dvs_dave said:

I think what people have missed is that the point of this is that it’s a Carrier based tanker. Being pilotless, well it might as well be and you can get a lot of fuel in the space otherwise required to support a crew, so allowing a meaningful fuel capacity in a form factor compatible with carrier operations. Being able to independently extend the range of carrier based aircraft fleets is a HUGE advantage. Land based tanker aircraft rendezvous are just not viable in many parts of the world.

I understand what your saying, but is there really that much space lost in storage capacity by having a pair of pilots in a cockpit?

[eldar]

Wozy68 said:

I understand what your saying, but is there really that much space lost in storage capacity by having a pair of pilots in a cockpit?

I suspect the ancillary stuff to house the pilots and the controls for them isn't insignificant.

[Tango13]

Max_Torque said:

In reality, in a threat situation (a war) does refueling actually extend the combat range of fighter planes? I mean, the enemy just hang around the tanker, wait for the fighters to hook on, and shoot em both out the sky, sitting ducks surely?

There was a documentry on TV years ago following the RAF on war games in Canada and at one point during the 'battle' an RAF Tornado managed to sneak under the 'enemy' formation and make a run at one of their tankers.

Although the Tornado wasn't in a position to 'shoot' it was enough of a threat that the tanker had to turn away which completely ruined the 'enemies' battle plan and allowed the RAF to claim a victory.

I doubt any airforce is going to let their tankers hang about anywhere near the opposition to get shot at.