Re: Royal Navy Amphibious shipping in the 1960s

[JFC Fuller]

It appears nothing was supersonic until the Type 576, unfortunately the most interesting of those is the final offering with reheated Avons and a fully thinned wing, but this seems to be the least documented with only a brief reference in BSP and none in the Scimitar file.

What is clear is that prior to the 576, the designs were hobbled by a dual role requirement that sees the aircraft being torn between low level strike missions and high speed/high altitude interceptions.

Firedman claims in British Carrier Aviation that the Type 556 (although he does not call it by the designation though he is clearly talking about the same aircraft) was to have been area-ruled. This certainly makes the aircraft more attractive in this timeframe and in an alternative history once again raises the issue of the Thames engine for supersonic flight.

 

[zen]

Area ruled? I'll have to reread that bit!

But yes, RB.106 would clearly increase both TO weights and speeds. Dry thrust is so high, that reheat may not be needed depending on the deadweight increases over the F1, though an increase in blow over the wing would further complicate matters.

The inlets precludes speeds over mach 2, likely it would never exceed mach 1.8, which is no bad thing considering the thermal properties of cockpit canopies. Check Wabpilots descriptions of the real limitations they imposed on the F4 for an example.

All in all, had the Type 556 continued, it makes the case for continued development of the RB.106 and a radar guided AAM. This would have some powerful knock on effects, since it means the RN gets used to reheated aircraft on the decks of their carriers, and the TSR.2 is not carrying the bulk of the load for next generation aircraft technology.
The drive for a radar guided AAM equipped supersonic fighter is no longer the urgent issue of the 1960s, RN can take its time on a successor.
RAF might well have to opt for the Type 556 for the radar/missile system, with much complaining of course!