Air Force weighing turning T-7 into F-7 armed light attack jet: Official

[rangerrebew]

Air Force weighing turning T-7 into F-7 armed light attack jet: Official

Despite not talking to Boeing about development of a F-7 armed light attack aircraft based off the T-7A Red Hawk, a USAF official has revealed the service is interested in such a concept, and could look to replace older F-16s with it.
By   TIM MARTIN and MICHAEL MARROW
on November 08, 2023 at 10:19 AM
 

MADRID and WASHINGTON — A US Air Force official has revealed the service is actively considering a new, armed variant of the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, dubbed F-7, which could potentially replace older F-16 fighter jets.

A request for information (RFI) will be prepared to outline necessary requirements to industry, the official told Breaking Defense at the International Fighter Conference in Madrid, under the Chatham House Rule, adding that USAF has “not talked” to Boeing about developing the aircraft.

The decision to move out with a RFI implies that USAF wants to include the views of other contractors capable of weapons integration and additional technologies. The T-7 was built with an open architecture and digital design, which lend themselves to such development and industry collaboration.

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/air-force-weighing-turning-t-7-into-f-7-armed-light-attack-jet-official/

[rangerrebew]

They should look for some Sopwith Camels and turn them into ultralight attack aircraft!

[The_Reader_David]

They should look for some Sopwith Camels and turn them into ultralight attack aircraft!

Considering the success the Ukrainians are having with Australian made cardboard drones, a refurbished (pilotless) Sopwith Camel might be able to find a place in the modern battlefield.

[Smokin Joe]

Considering the success the Ukrainians are having with Australian made cardboard drones, a refurbished (pilotless) Sopwith Camel might be able to find a place in the modern battlefield.

Actually, the De Havilland Mosquito, made principally of spruce and plywood, had a low radar cross section in its day.
The drawings were found, quite by accident, and a new one is being built in the UK. Three airworthy aircraft remain, two in the US, one in Canada as of the date of this article:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/secret-mosquito-180967119/#:~:text=Of%20the%20more%20than%207%2C000%20Mosquitoes%20built%2C%20only%20a%20handful,once%20again%20flying%20over%20Britain.

Twin engined, bomber, fighter, and torpedo variants were built, capable of 400+ MPH, with a 1400+ mile range.

More info on development and variants: https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/de-havilland-mosquito