Well done to Secret Projects forum for spotting this nugget that everyone else missed. This stealthy looking model plane is Lockheed Martin’s concept for what anext-generation super shot take-off and landing tactical airlifter would look like.
The four-engine plane (though I only see two in these pictures), called the Speed Agile Concept Demonstrator, is Lockheed’s part of an Air Force Research Lab effort to develop designs for a STOL tactical transport jet capable of operating from short and unprepared landing strips around the world. Boeing is apparently also in on the effort.
The 23-percent scale model, equipped with Williams FJ-44 turbofan engines, is being tested in the world’s largest wind tunnel at the Air Force’s Arnold Engineering and Development Center to see how well the craft’s hybrid powered lift design performs. Hybrid powered lift means the plane combines a low drag airframe with very simple mechanical assembly leading to reduced weight and better aerodynamics, according to the AFRL.
Steve Trimble at The DEW Line points out that the last time the Air Force moved to develop a STOL cargo jet it eventually ended up with the C-17 Globemaster — a strategic airlifter that can land in some pretty tight spots.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, nice looking aircraft.
looks like the hunter killers from terminator salvation
Look small. Cargo capacity perhaps in the middle of an v-22 and a c-130
It's a 23-percent scale model, not a full-scale aircraft. It wouldn't surprise me if the full scale vehicle were in the C-27/C-160/C-130 payload class…
lol
It's a model, not at the 1:1 scale
I don't think we need a new air craft if we could keep our F-22's and F-35's in the air
Are you trying to be stupid? This is an air lift design, not a fighter.
After Sec Gates speech at the AF Academy in which he told the cadets they'd better get used to piloting cargo planes, the AF has had to come up with something for retention and recruitment. And this thing sure likes like it would fit the bill, it is very cool looking.
Erm… this is unmanned.
Erm… 'tisn't.
Where's the landing gear go? A pair might fold into that bulge near the nose, but there would need to be a 2nd pair farther back.
Very reminiscent of the Luftwaffe's flying wing…
So damn conventional. They've been trying to sell that design for the last 20 years. Too bad they didn't invest more resources in this design instead: http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/csa/c…
Sorry, that just looks a bit unpractical and… stupid.
If, and admittably it is a big if, the thing is stealthy (not just looks like it) that could be a game changer. 1) Parachuting into enemy territory in large numbers could be possible again. 2) Supplies could be flown to advanced bases w/less risk of being shot down. 3) If this was large enough to be a tanker (or other variently of planes designed from cargo) super long range radar guided missles (like China’s) certainly loss some capablity as a deterence; fighters could refuel within the missles’ range and strike deeper into the target nation.
Now if it was supersonic, stealth, and STOL… It would clearly be too pricey to be practical :(
This plane has been on an Aviation Week blog for a while: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/inde…. Sorry I don't know how to shorten the address. The article title is Fast STOL – Lockheed Speed Agile. I also saw this plane on the DEW Line a few days ago.
Concept's of the plane
http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/i…
http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/i…
http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/i…
Gotta love concept art.
You can use tinyurl.com to shorten long URLs.
Thank you Ralph.
Although it only has two intakes, it looks like they do indeed feed two engines apiece.
Need more Airlifters to replace C130s, C5s alone from 60s.
This aircraft is supposed to be for special tactical operations and if produced will be in limited numbers because the aircraft would be used by military personnel like the Navy Seals; but this aircraft appears to assist in moving personnel and/or equipment out of an area since you can drop large pieces of equipment to a specific location using gps guided parachutes.
Would it be affordable to develop a whole new aircraft for a low-volume user? I think if they build it, they'll have to use it more widely, as they do the C130.
Who are the Navy Seals? I think the Navy is still experimenting with dolphins but I don't think they have seals anymore. What they do have are SEALs as in Sea, Air, & Land.
The life expectancy of the engines would be VERY short if they were landing a plane like that on unprepared landing strips.
First thing I thought too.
Wonder why the engines are mounted down low. Otherwise, I would've thought it echoed the YC-14. Vague echoes of the Horten 229 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Horten229-SDASM.jpg) or the vaporware A-12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_A-12_Avenger_II)
is it just me or the back of this plane looks like a boeing v-22 osprey?
I wonder what kind of unobtanium they are going to make the fuselage out of so it doesn't crack like an egg due to sonic fatigue?
I'd ask the Nav'i if I were you….
Those low positioned jet engines look like they would be vulnerable to foreign object damage (FOD) common in short, unprepared runways.
Every things all nice and stealthy EXCEPT those ginormous, even at 23%, turbofan faces.
HOORAH for the LM Stealth folks.
Once again, into the Design Breach.
Semper Fi
Like pilotpaul, this plane will definetly not survive to unprepared runways.
It cannot replace a C130 or an A400M