F-22 fleet to be split in two

I was reading a Flight blog today, and Pentagon acquisition chief John Young let something rather interesting slip about the F-22 fleet. They're going to split them into two distinct forces, with significant differences in abilities.

Starting in 2009, they're going to see Increment 3.1 produced. They'll end up with about 100 aircraft that fall into Increment 2 and 3.1 Increment 3.1 gives them the ground radar mapping mode, which will allow them greater accuracy in using the SDB, and clears them to use it.

Increment 3.2 (80 aircraft) will give them the multifunction data link, AIM-9X, and AIM-120D. The new data link will replace the Raptor-to-Raptor data link with one that will talk to the B-2 and F-35. There is talk that hasn't been confirmed that it will also add a helmet mounted site, and possibly a data link that will talk to other fighters.

The next step after this, will give them Increment 3.3, which adds electronic warfare to their bag of tricks.


Source

WOW the AIM-120D WHAT'S THE SPEC ON THAT THING?

reply to post by 121200

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It's using a new seeker, so it's less dependant on the radar from the launch platform. It also has a 50% greater range than the current AIM-120C-7.


www.designation-systems.net...

reply to post by Zaphod58

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That wording leads me to believe that they are simply upgrading the fleet at different paces, rather than the entire PMAI at the latest increment, all at once. I guess for the near term it makes some sense, although in an ideal world you would like to see the entire fleet be at the same level. I'm thinking the "front line" expeditionary squadrons will receive the latest upgrades. Still though, unless the USAF gets its 381 the entire current Raptor fleet, due to its size, can be considered expeditionary.

reply to post by WestPoint23

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Actually, it sounds to me like they're going to have two separate forces. One that will be a multi-role force, and one that's air superiority. Personally I think that would be the smart way to do it.

But geographic operational deployment would still have to be uniform across all 'variants' right?
Because the only drawback IMO, is the loss in flexibility for the chess players in moving sizable numbers of a capability (here variant) across multiple theaters in a multi-front and far flung conflict.
When capabilities are uniform across the fleet, then that flexibility is very high. I guess this kind of ties into what wstpt was saying, but in a different way.

If this a way to cut down on costs, while still trying to hit that 'required' Raptor fleet number, then yea... sounds like a plan..

reply to post by Zaphod58

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I don't see it that way, that would require more than just budget difficulties forcing you to upgrade only half the fleet with the latest increment. Currently F-22 pilots are being trained for air to air and DEAD, that's it. Unless that changes it's nothing more than budget issues forcing two different models. Until they can both be brought up to standard, presumably.

Can't say I'm surprised, however.

@CObzz

I think he's sandbagging. The #1 cardinal rule in warfare is to never underestimate your enemy. If the F-22 is underestimated across the board, that's a plus.