I would like to propose a family of dual-purpose (piloted and drone) fighter jet. It will be based around commercial turbofan engines. The bigger variant will be designed around a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine and the smaller variant will be based around CFM International LEAP. The fuselage of the plane will not exceed the diameter of the engine. High bypass turbofan engines have a large fan in the front and narrow cross section at the back. Therefore, a tubular fuselage will allow space for fuel tank and bomb bays. Both engines I propose generate enough thrust to allow Vertical Takeoff and Landing. Much better fuel economy of a commercial engine allows longer range with less fuel.
The rear of the plane will house an afterburner for thrust boost on demand and gimbled nozzle for thrust vectoring. There will be an optional pilot bay as well. The pilot will lay down inside the bay. During takeoff and landing pilot would be in vertical position. In case of emergency, the bay will be released from the plane to save pilot’s life. Laying down position will be advantageous on high G maneuvers due to better blood circulation and less strain on the spine. The plane will also be operatable in drone mode without a pilot bay.
The plane will takeoff and land on three anchor points, one on its vertical stabilizer and the rest on each wing. VTOL operation will allow almost any ship to be an aircraft carrier and increase the launch sites outside the airports. Use of commercial engines will lower the cost of the planes and their operational cost, as well as improve their reliability.
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