The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[Kirkhill]

Britain and Japan agree to speed up GCAP fighter programme as part of wider technology and security partnership

Britain and Japan pledged on Sunday to accelerate progress on the Global Combat Air Programme, the next-generation fighter jet project at the centre of their defence cooperation.

defence-industry.eu

If wonder if Starmer and Reeves have got the message?

Signing up with GCAP. Arresting shadow tankers. Will it continue past the Makerfield election?

 

[Kirkhill]

Shield AI brings its runway-free autonomous fighter jet to Eurosatory

Shield AI, the San Diego-based defense technology company that has been supplying AI piloting software to U.S. military aircraft since 2019, is showcasing X-BAT at Eurosatory 2026. Eurosatory 2026, a major international defence and security exhibition held in Paris from

defence-blog.com

Runway free.

50,000 ft ceiling
3700 km range at max payload
Payload comparable to the F35
Unit price point of 27 MUSD or about one quarter of an F35 and no pilot or runway.

Stowage footprint - 3 X-Bats in the footprint of an F35 or F18.

 

[Kirkhill]

The article was correctly referenced in the right thread. Apologies to all.

Cheers.

 

[KevinB]

Shield AI brings its runway-free autonomous fighter jet to Eurosatory

Shield AI, the San Diego-based defense technology company that has been supplying AI piloting software to U.S. military aircraft since 2019, is showcasing X-BAT at Eurosatory 2026. Eurosatory 2026, a major international defence and security exhibition held in Paris from

defence-blog.com

Runway free.

50,000 ft ceiling
3700 km range at max payload
Payload comparable to the F35
Unit price point of 27 MUSD or about one quarter of an F35 and no pilot or runway.

Stowage footprint - 3 X-Bats in the footprint of an F35 or F18.

And ?

You are suggesting what?

 

[Maxman1]

I couldn't find the A-10 discussion. I think it was in this thread.

USAF has extended the A-10 but it hasn't extended its supports.

A Disciplined Case For The A-10 The Air Force Won't Make

Opinion: The USAF says the A-10's service is extended to 2030, but funding and planning doesn't really reflect that, which has to change and fast.

www.twz.com

Thread 'A-10 Warthog'

11 Aug 2022

The A-10 - Not Dead Yet?

A-10 Warthog's Tusks Are Being Sharpened For A High-End Fight

Inside Nellis Week: New weapons, fuel tanks, displays, and more are being added to the A-10 to make it a key player in a high-end conflict.

www.thedrive.com

“The big effort we are pushing for in the A-10 today is quick and simple modernization efforts to help the Air Force better posture to fight tomorrow,” says Maj. Kyle “Metric” Adkison, A-10 Division Commander at the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. “As long as the A-10 is in service, we want to develop it to help the Air Force successfully fight however we can. Today that means supporting fifth-gen fighters.” Proponents...

• Kirkhill
• Replies: 174
• Forum: Fixed-wing Aircraft

• 

 

[Kirkhill]

Thread 'A-10 Warthog'

11 Aug 2022

The A-10 - Not Dead Yet?

A-10 Warthog's Tusks Are Being Sharpened For A High-End Fight

Inside Nellis Week: New weapons, fuel tanks, displays, and more are being added to the A-10 to make it a key player in a high-end conflict.

www.thedrive.com

“The big effort we are pushing for in the A-10 today is quick and simple modernization efforts to help the Air Force better posture to fight tomorrow,” says Maj. Kyle “Metric” Adkison, A-10 Division Commander at the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. “As long as the A-10 is in service, we want to develop it to help the Air Force successfully fight however we can. Today that means supporting fifth-gen fighters.” Proponents...

• Kirkhill
• Replies: 174
• Forum: Fixed-wing Aircraft

• 

And ?

You are suggesting what?

I'm not sure. For now I am just tracking developments.

I have been a big VTOL fan since the P1127 became the Kestrel.

https://ukx-dev.fandom.com/wiki/Hawker_P1127

Still trying to figure out if a UAS is Air Force or Artillery. Especially confusing given that the Air Forces grew out of the Artillery.

 

[MilEME09]

And there we have it, we are going Italian for the future lead in fighter trainer. Not my wheel house so no idea if this is a good or bad choice.

Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni

The leaders noted ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation across a range of priorities, including critical minerals, energy, defence, and secure supply chains.

www.pm.gc.ca

 

[Czech_pivo]

And there we have it, we are going Italian for the future lead in fighter trainer. Not my wheel house so no idea if this is a good or bad choice.

Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni

The leaders noted ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation across a range of priorities, including critical minerals, energy, defence, and secure supply chains.

www.pm.gc.ca

With us currently embedding a number of future pilot into Italy's pilot training programme, I'm going to assume that they are already being trained on these planes.

 

[dapaterson]

Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[YZT580]

With us currently embedding a number of future pilot into Italy's pilot training programme, I'm going to assume that they are already being trained on these planes.

would it be feasible to revamp the commonwealth training programme as part of a consolation prize for not buying German subs? Do we have sufficient facilities that could be upgraded such as Stephenville? Gander provides the airspace as well.

 

[Czech_pivo]

And there we have it, we are going Italian for the future lead in fighter trainer. Not my wheel house so no idea if this is a good or bad choice.

Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni

The leaders noted ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation across a range of priorities, including critical minerals, energy, defence, and secure supply chains.

www.pm.gc.ca

Anyone have any thoughts on how many we may be purchasing? Would this be in conjunction with the 6 previously announced or a separate order? Any thoughts if we'd be looking to include any mods necessary to 'flip' this into a 'light fighter' if needed?

 

[armrdsoul77]

 

[ArmyRick]

View attachment 100830

Sorry, what am I looking at?

 

[Maxman1]

And there we have it, we are going Italian for the future lead in fighter trainer. Not my wheel house so no idea if this is a good or bad choice.

Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni

The leaders noted ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation across a range of priorities, including critical minerals, energy, defence, and secure supply chains.

www.pm.gc.ca

Noah's take on it.

Canada Enters Negotiations To Acquire The M346 Master For FFLIT, Italy and Canada To Stockpile Critical Munitions

Press Release

www.truenorthstrategicreview.ca

Hopefully we can equip the Snowbirds with it as well.

 

[DBNSG]

Anyone have any thoughts on how many we may be purchasing? Would this be in conjunction with the 6 previously announced or a separate order? Any thoughts if we'd be looking to include any mods necessary to 'flip' this into a 'light fighter' if needed?

I am pretty sure Noah mentioned a 22 Aircraft order will probably be secured.

Now about thoses Snowbirds?

 

[dapaterson]

Anyone have any thoughts on how many we may be purchasing? Would this be in conjunction with the 6 previously announced or a separate order? Any thoughts if we'd be looking to include any mods necessary to 'flip' this into a 'light fighter' if needed?

I believe the six already announced are for a non CAF private sector training organization.

 

[armrdsoul77]

"Sorry, what am I looking at?"

If you aren't seeing a picture of an

Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master​

in pseudo RCAF markings then you need to adjust your set.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I am pretty sure Noah mentioned a 22 Aircraft order will probably be secured.

Now about thoses Snowbirds?

22 including the 6 ordered from the outside non-CAF training outfit or an additional 22?

 

[Maxman1]

22 including the 6 ordered from the outside non-CAF training outfit or an additional 22?

I assume the six from outside the CAF aren't included in the count.

 

[CBH99]

Gotta admit, I did NOT have this on my Bingo card for 2026

Liking that image of it in RCAF livery. Looks good!