Air Force 6th Generation Program Status
There has been a buzz about the progression of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, causing stir and excitement about the Air Force’s development of a 6th-generation Fighter. Currently, the Air Force seems to be exercising prudent and wise stewardship, with a slight pause on the development process for the next fighter program that has been touted as the replacement for the F-22 Raptor, which is a tall order.
NGADs Predecessor: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has dominated military aviation for many years with a projected life cost in the trillions, 3 separate variations (A, B, and C), and an enormous utilization of resources for the DoD at large. The F-35 took many years, and developed some amazing technologies. It has drawn criticism, including skepticism from myself, yet it is somewhat early in its lifecycle and use. I would argue that the true total value of F-35 development may not only be the plane itself but rather the engineering, research, and rapid aircraft development capability the Air Force currently has built. The Air Force now possesses the ability to use digital engineering in research and development to roll out new platforms at a lightning pace.
Loyal Wingmen and Rapid Aviation Technology Breakthroughs
With a fleet of F-35s operational and at the fingertips of pilots and commanders, the Air Force has the opportunity to leverage emerging technologies. That may mean incorporating some requirements and capabilities originally in the strategic plan of the NGAD program into the existing fleet of F-35s. One major opportunity to upgrade current platforms involves the loyal wingman capability in existing platforms. The F-35’s prowess with digital sensors and battlefield awareness makes me wonder whether the F-35 is also better suited to control and coordinate the emerging loyal wingmen concept and operations across the force. This may allow Air Force strategic planners to focus on other enhancements for the NGAD program and other Air Force Aircraft Programs.
Air Force Air Dominance for the Future
The Raptor is still the crown of US air superiority, but with limited quantity and rapidly evolving available technologies, a new air dominance aircraft will eventually replace the F-22. The NGAD program aims to serve as the next leap in military aircraft, and the Air Force is wisely pausing development and taking a hard look at the NGAD program.
Although the NGAD may also have this feature of controlling a variety of loyal drone wingmen, the F-35 program may turn out to be the primary user and director of these loyal wingmen. Therefore, the NGAD may have other requirements which may better fit the needs of future aircraft. Hypersonic capability of aircraft and projectiles and Artificial Intelligence is rapidly developing, which may lead to modifications to NGAD attributes and requirements and thus alter what the NGAD will be. The end product of the NGAD may look and behave differently than originally imagined as a result.
The Air Force holds the keys to the most technologically advanced and lethal weapons development infrastructure in the history of warfare. I view the pause and reassessment as a wise move that will benefit the NGAD program and military aviation at large. I look forward to seeing what the Air Force will come up with when the NGAD rolls off the production lines and into service.
Footnote: An additional article is in the works for a brief article on the Navy’s FA/XX 6th Generation Program. There are similarities between NGAD and FA/XX programs, but there are also variations in design and intended use. This creates the need for an article focused on the FA/XX, which will be published shortly.
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