Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
Hi Tim,
The "F-16-like" spec was set before there was such a thing as the UAE-only Block 60s, but it shouldn't be too hard to maybe do some parametric explorations after I finish Part 3 and I think it would be an interesting sidebar.
I think also that as the F-35 KPP accel. time is VERY close to a 36K pound F-16 Block 50 with a Drag Index of 50, it should also be very close to a 32K pound Block 50 with a DI=50. If the F-35A is carrying two more AMRAAMs instead of GBUs. This would place it very close to where I think the Block 60 would be in an A2A configuration similar to what you describe.
I think you overestimate the benefit of the Block 60's increased thrust in the transonic region, as it is primarily needed for keeping the Block 60's increased weight from dogging it down. The thrust is a linear improvement over the Block 50 that decreases linearly with airspeed, but on the other side of the equation, the wave drag from the increased weight/lift needed increases much faster through M.9-1.1 (as shown in the charts)
I'll take time to look at the problem after I wrap up the series.
Feb 25, 2015, 4:53:28 AM
Posted to The F-35 and the Infamous Transonic Acceleration ‘Spec’ Change: