New Catalina

[danny_galaga]

I'm guessing it will be turboprop.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/catalina-aircraft-relaunches-iconic-flying-boat-eyes-military-sales/154255.article

 

 

[facthunter]

Probably, but Catalina's were never any good in the open sea and the downside of flying boats (weight and drag) will always be against them. and add CORROSION too. Nev

Edited July 26, 2023 by facthunter
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[Area-51]

"Such projects are geared toward helping the Pentagon prepare for potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region – where vast swaths of open ocean and small, lightly developed islands present substantial challenges to military planners." - WTF? 🤦🏻‍♂️ These people are just pathologically insane.

[danny_galaga]

10 hours ago, Area-51 said:

"Such projects are geared toward helping the Pentagon prepare for potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region – where vast swaths of open ocean and small, lightly developed islands present substantial challenges to military planners." - WTF? 🤦🏻‍♂️ These people are just pathologically insane.

Why?

[KRviator]

In other words: 
We are going to build our own because we don't trust the Japanese flying boat won't need a CTRL-ALT-DEL reset when we go to war with China. If only the Yanks spent as much time and money looking after their own as they do on preparing to kill everyone else they'd be in a damn sight better position on the world stage...

I reckon that Shinmaywa thing would be ideal for long-range coastal patrol and SAR for us here in Oz, with a 4,000km range and (naturally) the ability to land on water. A 1,000km & 2 hour transit, perhaps 5 hours on station and a 2 hour transit back home makes a mighty impressive SAR vehicle.

Edited July 26, 2023 by KRviator

[danny_galaga]

Yes, that Japanese flying boat looks handy. But you are talking about the world's biggest industrial nation, I don't think it's unreasonable for Americans to want to make their own. Everyone is talking about being more self sufficient with key industries, so as not to rely on other countries for staple requirements but the Americans aren't allowed to?

[facthunter]

You can't land them safely on open water and also they will never fly off water at the weight they can from land especially if it's as flat as a mill pond. Once airborne, they are also more draggy than a conventional plane  so they have less range and are more vulnerable. Read P.G. Taylor's Frigate Bird 2 and you  will get a real insight into the operational problems flying boats have.  Nev

[spenaroo]

It will have competition.

there has been talk of making the C130 amphibious... which has gone quite.
which traditionally means that the USA have a program that's gone into testing with the black programs.
and they don't want any information leaks

 

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/09/20/afsoc-plans-to-demo-amphibious-mc-130j-by-end-of-next-year-commander-says/

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/05/ussocoms-amphibious-mc-130j-seaplane-concept/

Edited July 27, 2023 by spenaroo

[danny_galaga]

1 hour ago, spenaroo said:

It will have competition.

there has been talk of making the C130 amphibious... which has gone quite.
which traditionally means that the USA have a program that's gone into testing with the black programs.
and they don't want any information leaks

 

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/09/20/afsoc-plans-to-demo-amphibious-mc-130j-by-end-of-next-year-commander-says/

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/05/ussocoms-amphibious-mc-130j-seaplane-concept/

Yes the C130 is mentioned in my original link. It's a much larger aircraft though so I imagine each would fill different roles...