Your Nation's Air Force Mark II:

[New Vihenia]

I wasn't saying it is a bad thing. There are a few other shapes that are stealthy. The Horten Ho-229 Flying Wing prototypes actually were the first stealth aircraft because of the general shapes and construction. They were stealth in the 40's but due to lack of modern materials, it isn't stealthy against modern radar. It is not angular and boxy like the F-117 and B-2 are.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horten_Ho_229

Then what is your point ? You want to go to Northrop and Lockheed to tell em to reshape B-2 and F-117 like Horten craft ?

Now, for my main question. I'm considering venturing into the world of past-tech, so I'd like to start here. Given WWII tech (say, 1942-44), would it be possible for me to create a (preferably single-engine) fighter aircraft whose sole advantages are its climbing and dive capabilities (I guess it would be fast, too) and maximum altitude? I envision an aircraft whose best tactic is to boom-and-zoom (dive on a bogey from high altitude and light them up in one pass, before pulling up and climbing to reposition for another run) from extreme altitudes, and having less-than-par dogfighting capabilities

You get Me-262. Congratulations

[Imperializt Russia]

I wasn't saying it is a bad thing. There are a few other shapes that are stealthy. The Horten Ho-229 Flying Wing prototypes actually were the first stealth aircraft because of the general shapes and construction. They were stealth in the 40's but due to lack of modern materials, it isn't stealthy against modern radar. It is not angular and boxy like the F-117 and B-2 are.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horten_Ho_229

IIRC, they just built the plane that way, without actually realizing that it was a good design for defeating radar (knowledge of radar in the 40's was understandably limited). I might be wrong though.

It's under debate whether it was intentional or not. The flying wing design is inherently less vulnerable to detection, but also has a host of other theoretical improvement.

However shaping was not a technology known until the F-117, which was basically based on a paper which actually allowed people to calculate the radar-cross section of an object. This meant that a low-RCS airframe could be modelled. Turns out, sharp regular angles are good at reflecting radar signals away from the transmitter, and thus from the receiver.

[Triplebaconation]

Everybody already knew that. Ufimtsev's paper allowed for accurate computer-modelling, but the basics of shaping were well known. Shapes had to be evaluated the old-fashioned way.

How do you guys think the future B-37 is going to be used?

It's going to be a drone. Probably with Air Sea battle if it wasn't already used.

[Organized States]

Everybody already knew that. Ufimtsev's paper allowed for accurate computer-modelling, but the basics of shaping were well known. Shapes had to be evaluated the old-fashioned way.

It's going to be a drone. Probably with Air Sea battle if it wasn't already used.

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

[Luepola]

I wasn't saying it is a bad thing. There are a few other shapes that are stealthy. The Horten Ho-229 Flying Wing prototypes actually were the first stealth aircraft because of the general shapes and construction. They were stealth in the 40's but due to lack of modern materials, it isn't stealthy against modern radar. It is not angular and boxy like the F-117 and B-2 are.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horten_Ho_229

Then what is your point ? You want to go to Northrop and Lockheed to tell em to reshape B-2 and F-117 like Horten craft ?

Now, for my main question. I'm considering venturing into the world of past-tech, so I'd like to start here. Given WWII tech (say, 1942-44), would it be possible for me to create a (preferably single-engine) fighter aircraft whose sole advantages are its climbing and dive capabilities (I guess it would be fast, too) and maximum altitude? I envision an aircraft whose best tactic is to boom-and-zoom (dive on a bogey from high altitude and light them up in one pass, before pulling up and climbing to reposition for another run) from extreme altitudes, and having less-than-par dogfighting capabilities

You get Me-262. Congratulations

I was thinking of a prop aircraft. I actually imagined my PT nation would be behind most other countries on jet tech, and jets wouldn't enter service until the early-to-mid 50s.

[Rabbidskiya Republika]

Then what is your point ? You want to go to Northrop and Lockheed to tell em to reshape B-2 and F-117 like Horten craft ?




You get Me-262. Congratulations

I was thinking of a prop aircraft. I actually imagined my PT nation would be behind most other countries on jet tech, and jets wouldn't enter service until the early-to-mid 50s.

Good News! The P38 Lightning covers most of your requirements!

[The Soodean Imperium]

Everybody already knew that. Ufimtsev's paper allowed for accurate computer-modelling, but the basics of shaping were well known. Shapes had to be evaluated the old-fashioned way.

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

I'm feeling a strong urge to do my "air-to-air kamikaze UAV" routine again.

[The Akasha Colony]

Everybody already knew that. Ufimtsev's paper allowed for accurate computer-modelling, but the basics of shaping were well known. Shapes had to be evaluated the old-fashioned way.

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

Because we totally replaced all of our ground vehicles with UGVs and our roof MGs with RWS.

[Padnak]

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

Because we totally replaced all of our ground vehicles with UGVs and our roof MGs with RWS.

I could be talking out of my ass, but I don't think that aircraft that are expected to engage in air to air combat will ever become fully unnamed because a computer/dude in an office will never be able to make the lightning fast decisions needed in air to air combat

[Imperializt Russia]

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

Because we totally replaced all of our ground vehicles with UGVs and our roof MGs with RWS.

What would be the main reasons besides cost to not fit RWS? The main ones I see are a high profile and vulnerable sensor components. But you can mount hefty armaments on their, fire them with great precision and engage aircraft.

[Yukonastan]

Because we totally replaced all of our ground vehicles with UGVs and our roof MGs with RWS.

What would be the main reasons besides cost to not fit RWS? The main ones I see are a high profile and vulnerable sensor components. But you can mount hefty armaments on their, fire them with great precision and engage aircraft.

Weight. An M2 is far lighter to mount on a pintle, than an M2 in CROWSII is to mount on the specialized CROWSII pintle. That and you need a control system inside the vehicle.

[The Akasha Colony]

Because we totally replaced all of our ground vehicles with UGVs and our roof MGs with RWS.

What would be the main reasons besides cost to not fit RWS? The main ones I see are a high profile and vulnerable sensor components. But you can mount hefty armaments on their, fire them with great precision and engage aircraft.

Reduced awareness. Cameras still don't have the full FOV as the human eye, and tracking a camera around on a joystick and manually controlling the zoom isn't as fast or accurate as just turning your head and eyes. Plus, modern RWS are generally controlled through pretty small screens, further limiting awareness when using the mounted weapon.

[Padnak]

On my launch break today at work me and a few of the guys I work with got talking about James cameron's avatar and it got me thinking:

Anyone familuar with the movie probably knows about the fuckhuge gunship that the corporation flies around, keep that in mind

Could I built a helicopter with the engines and fuel load of the Mi-26(or similar), coat its vital components in armor, and give it verrrry large stub wings with lots and lots of pylons? My goal with this is to have a helicopter with a very long idle time, protection from small arms/heavy machine guns, a very long idle time, and a massive load of unguided rockets and bombs for use in jungle/ mountain warfare

*I know I'm bordering on stupid idea territory here so try and be kind*

[Yukonastan]

On my launch break today at work me and a few of the guys I work with got talking about James cameron's avatar and it got me thinking:

Anyone familuar with the movie probably knows about the fuckhuge gunship that the corporation flies around, keep that in mind

Could I built a helicopter with the engines and fuel load of the Mi-26(or similar), coat its vital components in armor, and give it verrrry large stub wings with lots and lots of pylons? My goal with this is to have a helicopter with a very long idle time, protection from small arms/heavy machine guns, a very long idle time, and a massive load of unguided rockets and bombs for use in jungle/ mountain warfare

*I know I'm bordering on stupid idea territory here so try and be kind*

You're looking at the Dragon I take it? That thing is stupid huge. And has like no armor. I mean, they take out the pilots of the gunships with ARROWS in that movie.
As described that thing had a bomb load enough to flatten half of Manhattan with a single pass or something.

[Padnak]

On my launch break today at work me and a few of the guys I work with got talking about James cameron's avatar and it got me thinking:

Anyone familuar with the movie probably knows about the fuckhuge gunship that the corporation flies around, keep that in mind

Could I built a helicopter with the engines and fuel load of the Mi-26(or similar), coat its vital components in armor, and give it verrrry large stub wings with lots and lots of pylons? My goal with this is to have a helicopter with a very long idle time, protection from small arms/heavy machine guns, a very long idle time, and a massive load of unguided rockets and bombs for use in jungle/ mountain warfare

*I know I'm bordering on stupid idea territory here so try and be kind*

You're looking at the Dragon I take it? That thing is stupid huge. And has like no armor. I mean, they take out the pilots of the gunships with ARROWS in that movie.
As described that thing had a bomb load enough to flatten half of Manhattan with a single pass or something.

That thing is NS PMT incarnate

I was thinking about a vehicle thats "inspired" it, IE lots and lots of missiles, huge engine power output

[San-Silvacian]

You could easily strap an Mi-8 with a bunch of rocket pods (Like 80+ rockets) and a few ATGMs on it.

Plus a 12.7mm machine gun on the nose.

[Padnak]

You could easily strap an Mi-8 with a bunch of rocket pods (Like 80+ rockets) and a few ATGMs on it.

Plus a 12.7mm machine gun on the nose.

I already have a number of those around and I think they're brilliant

I want bigger

-EDIT-

I should have mentioned before, but I have no intention of using this thing (well if it proves to be extremely feasible then perhaps) its purely a design study

[San-Silvacian]

Any bigger and you become prone to getting slammed by all kinds of people on the ground.

[Padnak]

Any bigger and you become prone to getting slammed by all kinds of people on the ground.

One of the plethora of problems with large combat helicopters


Speaking of large helicopters, could you have a helicopter with 4 rotors? think two Chinooks side by side

[Rabbidskiya Republika]

The Rabbidish Air Force is attempting to build a Tiltrotor type Helicopter similar to the UH-144 Falcon from Halo Reach, would it be possible with modern technology?

It is a light Osprey-like aircraft similar in size to an AH-1 Cobra, with 2 Side Turrets (Which can be Grenade Launchers, Machine Guns, Small Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers, etc), a front Autocannon, & about 3 Passengers along with the 2 Door Gunners and the Pilot (Max Crew of 6).


More Info: http://www.halopedia.org/UH-144_Falcon

[Crookfur]

On my launch break today at work me and a few of the guys I work with got talking about James cameron's avatar and it got me thinking:

Anyone familuar with the movie probably knows about the fuckhuge gunship that the corporation flies around, keep that in mind

Could I built a helicopter with the engines and fuel load of the Mi-26(or similar), coat its vital components in armor, and give it verrrry large stub wings with lots and lots of pylons? My goal with this is to have a helicopter with a very long idle time, protection from small arms/heavy machine guns, a very long idle time, and a massive load of unguided rockets and bombs for use in jungle/ mountain warfare

*I know I'm bordering on stupid idea territory here so try and be kind*

Have a look at the ACH-47 story. its not a particulalry happy story for lovers of big as helo gunships.

Seriously If you want loiter time use a fixed wing solution absed aroudn an An-32 or soemthing

[Padnak]

On my launch break today at work me and a few of the guys I work with got talking about James cameron's avatar and it got me thinking:

Anyone familuar with the movie probably knows about the fuckhuge gunship that the corporation flies around, keep that in mind

Could I built a helicopter with the engines and fuel load of the Mi-26(or similar), coat its vital components in armor, and give it verrrry large stub wings with lots and lots of pylons? My goal with this is to have a helicopter with a very long idle time, protection from small arms/heavy machine guns, a very long idle time, and a massive load of unguided rockets and bombs for use in jungle/ mountain warfare

*I know I'm bordering on stupid idea territory here so try and be kind*

Have a look at the ACH-47 story. its not a particulalry happy story for lovers of big as helo gunships.

Seriously If you want loiter time use a fixed wing solution absed aroudn an An-32 or soemthing

*shudders*

[Padnak]

Did some thinking, heres the extremely early stat block (Just want to know if there is any glaring problems) for my attack helicopter-

General

Crew: 2
Length: 20 m (65 feet)
Rotor diameter: 20 m (65 feet)
Height: 3.2 m (10 feet)
Empty weight: 7,290 kg
Loaded weight: 10,100 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV3-117VM turboshafts, 1,633 kW

Performance

Maximum speed: 450 km/h
Cruise speed: 325 km/h
Range: 620 km
Combat radius: 300 km
Ferry range: 1,505 km
Service ceiling: 4,950 m
Rate of climb: 18.6 m/s
Hovering ceiling: 3,000 m

Armament

1 x chin-mounted 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon
12 x wing hardpoints for a combination of the fallowing ordinance:
S-8 rocket rocket pods
9K114 Shturm atgms
R-73 Air to air missiles
(many other weapons including gun pods)

[Crookfur]

Did some thinking, heres the extremely early stat block (Just want to know if there is any glaring problems) for my attack helicopter-

General

Crew: 2
Length: 20 m (65 feet)
Rotor diameter: 20 m (65 feet)
Height: 3.2 m (10 feet)
Empty weight: 7,290 kg
Loaded weight: 10,100 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV3-117VM turboshafts, 1,633 kW

Performance

Maximum speed: 450 km/h
Cruise speed: 325 km/h
Range: 620 km
Combat radius: 300 km
Ferry range: 1,505 km
Service ceiling: 4,950 m
Rate of climb: 18.6 m/s
Hovering ceiling: 3,000 m

Armament

1 x chin-mounted 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon
12 x wing hardpoints for a combination of the fallowing ordinance:
S-8 rocket rocket pods
9K114 Shturm atgms
R-73 Air to air missiles
(many other weapons including gun pods)

I assume you are using compound/unloaded rotor system here hence the large wings (only way to get thta many hard points would be HUGE wings), the max speed thats for all practical purposes impossible for a pure helicopter (the 400kph record set by the lynx is pretty much unbeatable due to the nastiness of retreating blade stall) and that rnage for soemthign that seems to be heavily Mi-28 based.

[Triplebaconation]

Everybody already knew that. Ufimtsev's paper allowed for accurate computer-modelling, but the basics of shaping were well known. Shapes had to be evaluated the old-fashioned way.

Manned aircraft will likely be mostly gone (with the exception for control aircraft).

Most likely the B-3 will be a twin-engine flying wing with a family resemblance to the B-2, since it will be built by Northrop-Grumman. It's entirely possible that it's reached hardware or flight stage already and most of the concepts seen so far are a smokescreen. It will be "optionally-manned" just like the F-35 - i.e., manned.