duncan@rti.rti.org (Stephen Duncan) (06/05/90)
From: duncan@rti.rti.org (Stephen Duncan)
The latest issues of "Popular {Science,Mechanics}" each have a photo
of Burt Rutan's Mudfighter CAS aircraft. A previous issue of one of
these (I don't recall which) had more about it. The following is all
based on my recollections, so _caveat_lector_. The basic idea was
for a lightweight and cheap CAS aircraft. Rutan produced a study
from some grants (Army, I think) and developed the prototype with
his own funds. It's supposed to be real cheap by modern standards,
about $3 million, I think. From the pictures, it's tiny, yet it
carries a 25mm rotary cannon. This is offset to one side while the
engine inlet is offset to the other, so the gun fumes don't stall the
engine. It is supposed to be very nimble at low altitudes, easily
turning inside fighters. I don't recall if it had any ordinance
besides the cannon. It looks like just the thing for massive CAS,
assuming it has rough field capability, much like an armed trainer.
It is subsonic, which should be fine for its mission, and should
be pretty stealthy. The Army and Marines would like it, but of
course the Air Force won't.
Anyone know how the Marine Harrier, AV8-something is in CAS? I think
it also has a 25mm rotary cannon. It sounds like a pretty ideal
CAS weapon, assuming the cannon is effective against tanks. It
probably costs ten times what the Mudfighter costs, though. I
remember reading somewhere that in WWII in the Pacific the Army always
liked getting CAS from Marine flyers, since they were dedicated to it.
Maybe the whole CAS function should be given to the Marines, if the
Air Force won't commit to it.
Steve Duncan
duncan@rti.rti.org