Overview
- The Navy issued a Request for Information that was published Aug. 31 asking industry for designs for a carrier-capable Collaborative Combat Aircraft to team with manned fighters.
- The RFI requires the aircraft to carry up to five tons of weapons and to be able to carry four external weapons of up to 2,500 pounds each while targeting an affordability goal of $30 million per airframe.
- Shipboard requirements include catapult launches, arrested recoveries, operation up to Sea State 5, integration with MD-5 and JPALS systems, and a deck and hangar footprint no larger than current fourth-generation fighters.
- Industry must reply by Sept. 18 and the Navy asked for proposals to deliver two prototypes that can complete shore-based and carrier qualifications within about three years.
- The RFI accepts trade-offs such as no internal weapons bays and use of commercial off-the-shelf components with sea-proofing plans, a move intended to speed production, lower unit cost, and let carriers absorb higher-risk strike missions while the air wing evolves.