Experts believe that the SM-39 has every chance of winning — which, however, does not guarantee it.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman — contenders for the creation of a new carrier-based fighter for the U.S. Navy — have another rival. This is Stavatti Aerospace with its SM-39 Razor project, which, if successful, will replace the outdated F/A-18E.
The promising fighter from Stavatti Aerospace will feature an unusual tri-fuselage design. According to the presented render, the fuselages are attached to a variable-geometry wing, which is integrated into a monocoque structure. Externally, the SM-39 somewhat resembles a bat.
It is expected that its maximum speed will reach 4 Mach, while its cruising speed will be 2.5 Mach, which is twice as fast as the competitors from Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Additionally, it will have greater tactical range, ceiling, payload capacity, climb rate, and thrust. The aircraft will be made of revolutionary foam titanium instead of carbon composites.
Experts believe that the SM-39 has every chance of winning — which, however, does not guarantee it. The capabilities of the turbofan engine to achieve speeds of 4 Mach raise significant doubts — as does the ability of the entire structure to withstand hypersonic speeds. Furthermore, the fighter lacks sufficient stealth, as it will heat up in flight to +400 °C.
Another issue is that Stavatti Aerospace is known exclusively as a developer, having not built a single aircraft since its founding in 1994. The company has only 25 employees, and its annual revenue is around $3 million, which is significantly less than its competitors.
