Who can identify these models in the Northrop exec's office?

a reply to: C0bzz

Interesting, very interesting...

I wonder if this "LRS-B is a family of systems" BS was actually meant to hide the development of a supercruising design along the lines of what's in that article (and on the NG guy's mantlepiece). Could it be possible that the Lockheed bird wasn't the only transonic/supersonic capable one?

a reply to: Barnalby

Well, the Northrop design is a flying wing, similar to the B-2, so I doubt it's a supercruising platform, or supersonic. So it would be a family of systems if this was something else for the program.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It's just interesting to see a supersonic design that looks more or less identical to the evolved cranked kite on this guy's bookcase. It's obvious that tailless supersonic designs work for fighter-sized aircraft, and this thing seems to really be splitting the difference between a flying wing and a delta wing design, at least in terms of aerodynamic forces. Maybe they were evaluating more exotic designs alongside the more conventional designs that Lockheed and N-G actually submitted to the flyoff?

Who knows, though. Maybe they're being optimistic and are already CAD testing designs for the 2037 bomber? The supersonic cranked kite might not be ready for primetime in the 2010's, but I'm sure it could be ready for at least a demonstrator flight a decade from now when that program is actually ramping up. Furthermore, a supersonic cranked kite would allow 2037 to completely fill every role left behind by the B-2 and the B-1, while the B-21 gets to replace the BUFF's as a (relatively) simple stealth bomb truck.

a reply to: Barnalby
The model in the office look a lot like the Amarillo triangle. Building the same planform of a B-2, so why instead just rebuild the B-2 with upgrated technology ? instead of invest a lot of billions of dollar in the same plane ?

a reply to: darksidius

The B-21 is NOT the same as a B-2, contrary to what you and others have repeated multiple times. Just because a plane looks superficially similar doesn't mean it's the same thing. The B-21 has some radically different capabilities than the B-2. What you, and many others don't understand, is that a tailless design works really well against supposed counter stealth radar systems. Tailless designs are going to be superficially similar.

a reply to: Zaphod58
For what we will see in the futur concept it look like the Tailless design will be the response for the futur fighter program too, Boeing , Lockheed and Northrop the 3 firm are looking in this direction. I take your words about the B-21 ]

a reply to: darksidius

Because there's a very specific formula in use. Aircraft that have tails are susceptible to low frequency and UHF/VHF radars.

a reply to: Zaphod58
What make possible the supersonic tailless flight in the futur ? more powerfull computer ? better vectoring nozzle ?

a reply to: darksidius

Better technology, better computers....

Interesting theory,

www.thedrive.com...

a reply to: aholic
Factory in a can..Or "how many 3d printers can we fit in a 20' x20' container...? Well to do 500 a month = 16.666 drones per day.Depending on 3D printing process (my PLA fillament desktop printer with a 8" x8" bed needs about 24 hrs to do a large print with19% infill)
Im seeing a lot of wasted hardpoint availability.MER,s are MERs for a reason.They carry more missiles than a pair of drones with a couple of missiles on them.Loyal Wingman is a much much better idea.More missiles for your buck.Let the Stealth UAVs and Stealth Strike aircraft do the surgical work.

a reply to: Barnalby

There are other recent supersonic concept aircraft.

Search for Efficient Supersonic Air Vehicle (ESAV) and earlier Supersonic Tailless Air Vehicle (STAV). The models do not look like the one on his desk however. Northrop was involved.

IMO, it seems pretty clear that LRS-B will be subsonic.

a reply to: C0bzz
It seem that this planform will be very common in a near futur , the 6th gen fighter concept of 3 majors look like this, the mystery Northop model look like this and now the flying rail look the same. If it can work well on supersonic like we see on Esav it can fly high subsonic too ?

a reply to: darksidius

I'll just leave this here.



Also:

49 0207110F NEXT GENERATION AIR DOMINANCE 294,746 441,746
UFR: Penetrating Counter air (PCA) Risk Reduction [147,000]

www.congress.gov...

Does this seriously mean that PCA is getting 4 billion dollars in funding for one year, if this is signed into law? I don't understand how the US Government works. Seems way too high.

a reply to: C0bzz

Where do you get the 4 billion from? Latest budget im aware of (05 17) puts 0207110F NGAD at 167,595 mil US-$ for FY17 and at 294,746 mil US-$ for FY18;
comptroller.defense.gov...

a reply to: wirehead

My grandfather worked for Northrop back in the 80's. My best guess is that these are study concepts. Usually, besides large scale models and drawings, they don't make it to desk models.

removed