The US Navy could get a new carrier-based attack aircraft instead of the fifth generation F-35C fighter, writes the author of an article for the American edition of Military Watch, however, the new aircraft development program was not implemented.
The US Air Force once received the F-117 and B-2 aircraft., created according to the scheme “flying wing”. The US Navy could also adopt a carrier-based attack aircraft, built in the same way, but the program was closed due to the high cost. The fleet is currently receiving carrier-based F-35Cs and F-35Bs., in terms of their characteristics, they do not reach a promising attack aircraft.
ATA Program (Advanced Tactical Aircraft – “Promising tactical aircraft”) It was launched in 1983 year. Initially, the fleet wanted to get a multi-purpose aircraft, but later it was decided to develop the A-12 Avenger carrier-based attack aircraft. As planned by the military, this aircraft was supposed to be part of the air wing of nuclear aircraft carriers with the task of attacking ground targets at long distances.
The aircraft was developed according to the scheme “flying wing” with stealth elements. planned, what an attack aircraft can carry up to 2,3 tons of bombing and missile load at a distance of up to 1,5 thousands of kilometers. The first flight of the new aircraft was planned for 1991 year, and he had to go into the series no later 1994-95 years. However, 1991 the program was closed, because they counted, that the plane will be too expensive, its value at that time was up to 90 million. dollars per plane.
Currently in command of the US Navy regret, that the project was not implemented, since the F-18E Super Hornet carrier-based fighters in service cannot carry a large load and their range does not correspond to the tasks of the fleet. The latest F-35С, introduced into the aircraft carrier air wing, also fall short of the A-12 Avenger.
According to the author, if the attack aircraft project had been implemented and it would have been put into service, The US Navy could call “much more concern” Moscow and Beijing, as well as Pyongyang with Tehran.
