LOCKHEED MARTIN plans to fly a small-scale radio-controlled model of a joined-wing design being considered for its proposed New Strategic Aircraft (NSA). The NSA is being studied as a private-venture replacement for US Air Force Boeing KC-135 tankers and Lockheed C-141 transports, to enter service early next century.
The radical joined-wing design is one of 30 Lockheed Martin studies since it began the NSA project in 1994. The company has completed detailed studies of a conventional high-wing, twin-turbofan design and a blended wing/body aircraft. NSA engineering programme manager Steven Justice says that the effort has moved on to the joined-wing configuration, which is of interest because of the operational advantages of a tanker aircraft equipped with two refuelling booms.
"Given that the USAF will not replace its current tankers on a one-for-one basis-a two-boom aircraft can provide the USAF with the same number of available refuelling booms, but at half the number of aircraft, with resulting savings in procurement and operational funds," Justice says. The NSA is intended to be able to offload more fuel than a KC-135R while retaining its basic airlift capability, he says.
Lockheed Martin's plans call for development of a commercially certificated transport which can be adapted for different missions, including commercial cargo delivery, with modular components and systems. Examples include the integrated modular tanker system. Other potential military missions include surveillance, electronic combat, special operations, global attack (with future long-range stand-off weapons), and as a "mother ship" for advanced unmanned air-vehicles, says Justice.
Source: Flight International
