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

[The Bread Guy]

More fuel for the "more than one type" rumours? Leverage against the U.S.? Looking further down the road? We'll see ...

Canada mulls observer role in fighter jet program with Italy, U.K., Japan: McGuinty

OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty confirms Canada is looking into getting involved in a program run by a coalition of countries to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. But McGuinty says Canada has not yet made a final decision on whether to obtain observer status in the Global Combat...

halifax.citynews.ca

 

[NavyShooter]

Maybe we should get some of these:

 

[OldSolduer]

Maybe we should get some of these:
View attachment 100204

By the time we get these there will be a seventh gen fighter

 

[Kirkhill]

Saab partnering with Bombardier to build T-7 Red Tails in Canada would be far more beneficial. On top of giving us a replacement for the Hawk and Tutor, and the possibility of a light fighter/ground attack plane, the US would probably be appreciative of the T-7 program being sped up.

It's almost odd they haven't mentioned anything about the T-7 so far.

If this

Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour

In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.

www.defensenews.com

And this

XQ-58 Valkyrie | Kratos

A stealthy, runway-flexible, autonomous or AI-driven, high-performance-to-cost unmanned aerial vehicle with modular open mission systems architecture.

www.kratosdefense.com

Then why this?

Aeralis Collapses, Ending Hopes For a British Designed Advanced Jet Trainer

Aeralis Limited was working on a modular advanced jet trainer for the Royal Air Force, with hopes to equip the Red Arrows to replace the Hawk T1.

theaviationist.com

...

If an unskilled individual can pick up the skills to manage an aircraft in flight in 60 minutes while using a tablet, and not necessarily being aboard, then what is the function of a jet trainer? Or the Snowbirds for that matter?

How about 9 Valkyries in red and white flying in formation?

Even the USAF vision for an F-35 pilot managing 4 or 8 Valkyries from a tablet on her knee in flight probably presupposes that the F35, like the Guardsman's Blackhawk is flying itself and the "pilot" is less of a pilot than a commander, or WSO.

 

[Maxman1]

If this

Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour

In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.

www.defensenews.com

And this

XQ-58 Valkyrie | Kratos

A stealthy, runway-flexible, autonomous or AI-driven, high-performance-to-cost unmanned aerial vehicle with modular open mission systems architecture.

www.kratosdefense.com

Then why this?

Aeralis Collapses, Ending Hopes For a British Designed Advanced Jet Trainer

Aeralis Limited was working on a modular advanced jet trainer for the Royal Air Force, with hopes to equip the Red Arrows to replace the Hawk T1.

theaviationist.com

...

If an unskilled individual can pick up the skills to manage an aircraft in flight in 60 minutes while using a tablet, and not necessarily being aboard, then what is the function of a jet trainer? Or the Snowbirds for that matter?

How about 9 Valkyries in red and white flying in formation?

Even the USAF vision for an F-35 pilot managing 4 or 8 Valkyries from a tablet on her knee in flight probably presupposes that the F35, like the Guardsman's Blackhawk is flying itself and the "pilot" is less of a pilot than a commander, or WSO.

I don't know what that has to do with the T-7 or other trainer planes.

 

[Kirkhill]

I don't know what that has to do with the T-7 or other trainer planes.

Are trainer planes necessary?

If a layperson can command a helicopter through a sortie from a tablet with 60 minutes of training what is the purpose of a training jet for a pilot who is just going to ride the back of an aircraft that flies itself?

 

[Maxman1]

Are trainer planes necessary?

Yes.

 

[Kirkhill]

Yes.

OK

 

[Kirkhill]

We're going to join GCAP and do the JSF thing. We're part of the consortium. But no firm order. Maybe we'll order in 2045....

I have been concerned that Rachel Reeves, the holder of the UK purse strings, was going to mess up this programme. She seems adamant that she wasn't going to spend money on defense so long as there was one unhappy, green-haired union member.

I am thinking that the local elections in the UK and their impact on the career of her boss, Kier Starmer, may have unplugged some blockages.

https://www.ft.com/content/7c9cfe0e-7ac9-457c-b111-b9f7bfea9a74?syn-25a6b1a6=1

The Japanese and the Italians were pressing really hard for Britain to live up to its bargain.

...

I wonder if this, and the "decision" on the drone heavy recce-strike strategy and Ajax, might be indicative of the Defence Investment Strategy finally making an appearance. It is only a year late.