Posted on 04/11/2018 4:20:05 PM PDT by gaijin
The new JT15D-5 turbofan-powered "401 Jet" of Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif is a small, stealthy, single-engine jet variation on the very novel, 30 year-old "Ares" light attack jet. Never having entered production, Ares was actually an acronym, standing for Agile Responsive Effective Support:
Experts note that the X401 would have piloted and drone versions, leading to speculation that the pair could work together synergistically in a "loyal wingman" arrangement, possibly with some form of laser or directed energy weapon occupying the weapons bay, partially visible in the landing flare photo below.
A 6-minute YouTube vid explains more about the X401 in the first comment below.
Paired for the CASR mission, the non-stealthy A-10 brings brute, ground-hugging firepower, while the stealthy F-35 is said to provide top cover and forward observation and control. Helicopter or tiltrotor then picks up the grounded pilot (or maybe he calls Uber!). In some quarters, I am sure it will be disputed that the F-35 can do anything other burn cash and blow development deadlines, but the prospect of better CASR ought to be appealing to a military organization run by pilots.
A-10’s have completed their missions and flown back to base after acquiring several rounds of 23mm and even shoulder fired SAMs.
Deal with the Tunguska’s with AGM-65 Mavericks. The Warthog can carry Mavericks, or have another plane carry Mavericks.
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