The Air Force is pursuing its Next-Generation Air Dominance program as the Navy works to field its adjacent F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter series.
While the US Air Force and Navy currently fly some of the most advanced fighter platforms across the globe, both services are looking to secure their next-generation capabilities. The F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F/A-18 Super Hornet are arguably the most impressive fifth- and fourth-generation jets in the skies today, but upcoming successors will be even more lethal. The Air Force is pursuing its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program as the Navy works to field its adjacent F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter series. Although the two will certainly achieve different goals, both next-gen programs will be dominant in terms of stealth, avionics, and air supremacy.
The NGAD
Following its development in 2019, the NGAD program is being shaped to represent a “portfolio of technologies enabling air superiority.” When the sixth-generation family of systems reaches operational capacity, it is expected to eventually succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. This futuristic program was born from DARPA’s Air Dominance Initiative study back in 2014, which aimed to field a new fighter platform in the 2030s.
While information pertaining to NGAD’s exact specs and details remains highly under wraps, the program appears to be moving along nicely. Earlier this year, the Air Force announced the contract award for Engineering and Manufacturing Development of NGAD, a major milestone for the program. Boeing was awarded the contract to bring NGAD to life, specifically the sixth-generation fighter component, which will be designated as the F-47. In addition to the manned fighter, NGAD will also incorporate a host of highly autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). These lethal unmanned aerial vehicles will fly alongside the F-47 and function as “loyal wingmen” drones. As detailed by Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, Air Force director of force design, “The increment-one CCAs will act as missile trucks that haul air-to-air missiles for manned fighters. Increment two will kick off next year, and while requirements are still being worked out, are slated to add mission sets like electronic attack, resilient sensing, and different weapons.”
The F/A-XX
The Navy is pursuing a sixth-generation carrier-capable fighter jet alongside the NGAD. Intended to replace the tried and trusted F/A-18 Super Hornet, the F/A-XX is expected to fly alongside the F-35C Lightning II beginning in the 2030s. The Navy initially issued a former request for a successor platform back in 2012. Unlike the NGAD, the F/A-XX is intended to serve as a strike fighter while maintaining a secondary air superiority role. The upcoming sixth-gen fighter is expected to feature greater stealth, operational reach, and speed. Additionally, the F/A-XX will ensure that American carrier strike groups can continue to outperform enemies while maintaining naval air dominance. All the leading US manufacturers, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, announced they were competing for the aircraft’s design contract. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney and OEMS GE Aerospace were revealed to be competing to secure the F/A-XX’s engine contract. While Reuters reported back in March that an announcement revealing the winner of the contract was set, this award remains pending.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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