FV-12 Shadow (Hypothetical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_XFV-12

 

In 1981, the Rockwell XFV-12 project was canceled. If it had been funded, perhaps along with the Sea Control Ship (perhaps the hypothetical CVL Cabot included in the HUD-4 database?), perhaps it would have emerged around 1985 as the FV-12 Shadow. Ideally, it would have had the range, speed, and performance of a Phantom, but it would have been a V/STOL aircraft able to land anywhere a Harrier could, although it would have been limited to 2,000 lbs. of ordinance, most likely in the form of four air-to-air missiles (Sidewinders or Sparrows) or a mix of two Sidewinders and two 500-lb. bombs (or laser-guided bombs) or medium-sized missiles like Mavericks or Penguins.

 

Basically, it is Harrier with added range and the ability to fly at supersonic speeds, which might come in handy.

 

If introduced in 1985, it is reasonable to assume the first generation would have electronics similar to the F-4, but a second generation would be more like the F-16C, able to fire four AMRAAMs instead of Sparrows, etc. European models

 

Thoughts? Comments? Would this be a good addition for hypothetical alternate history scenarios?

 

ANW

HUD 4 v1.1 b10

The XFV-12 was ever for me a interesting design, but not was cancelled by budgetary reasons, was cancelled because the vertical lift system was erronously conceived, without solution (as reflected in the Wikipedia, basically, if you increase the engine power, it suffers of more loss of thrust because the extensive ducting friction).

But I think now is double interesting, as you have remarked, her loadouts and capabilities were very similar to F-35B thirty years earlier, but without the stealth and faster !!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_XFV-12

The XFV-12 used a thrust augmented wing concept[2] in which exhaust would be directed through spaces in a wing opened up like venetian blinds to increase available lift, somewhat like Lockheed's unsuccessful XV-4 Hummingbird.

Over the course of six months, it was determined that the XFV-12A design suffered from major deficiencies with regard to vertical flight, especially a lack of sufficient vertical thrust.[1] Lab tests showed 55% thrust augmentation should be expected; however, differences in the scaled-up system dropped augmentation levels to 19% for the wing and a mere 6% in the canard.[1] While the augmenters did work as expected, the extensive ducting of the propulsion system degraded thrust, and in the end the power-to-weight ratio was such that the engine was capable of vertically lifting only 75% of the weight of the aircraft in which it was mounted.

Ducting always slows airflow down. I have a formula for calculating it here somewhere. This formula PREDATES the design of the XFV-12 fighter.... It is AMAZING to me that no one ran the numbers or made THAT big of a mistake with the numbers. I It is a beautiful airplane but since the cockpit is that of an A-4 Skyhawk, the Avionics level should be that of an F-16A not an F-4 Phantom. The APG-53 radar of the earlier HHRs (Heinemann's Hot Rod for you not knowing the history of the Skyhawk) were significantly smaller than any of the APQ-50 based radars in any variant of the Phantom II.

 

 

If this aircraft is to be added suggest the following.

FLAGS:

Short takeoff and landing (STOL) NOT VTOL!

Size, Small

Fly By Wire

 

Range

 

 

Avionics:

AN/APG-66 Radar

no ESM as built.

 

Loadouts:

4 AIM-9H/L/M Sidewinder, 1 300 USG Jetfuel Droptank.

2 AIM-9HLM, 2 GBU-12A, 1 Pavespike. OR 1 GBU-12A, 1 PAVESPIKE, and 1 300 USG Jetfuel Droptank.

2 AIM-9HLM, 3 Mk82 (any) OR 2 Mk82 (Any) and 1 300 USG Jetfuel Droptank.

2 AIM-9HLM, 2 AIM-7F/M, 1 300USG Jetfuel Droptank.

 

Incidently the engine used in the XFV-12 is a naval version of the PW F100-PW-100 engine for the USAF. Changes include larger first stage, and different metals to reduce issues of corrosion. This engine was also to power the F-14B and F-14C Tomcats (first use of both designations.) Incidently the Correct designation for the XFV-12 should have been F401-PW-410. The Engine for the F-14 Tomcat was the F401-PW-400 engine. The Afterburner was different on the -410 for the XVF-12 fighter and the -410 denotes that. The Prototype engines actually fitted were converted for use "at depot maintenance" and thus were designated -400.