The United States Air Force (USAF) is advancing its highly classified Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a secretive initiative aimed at boosting lethality and maintaining air superiority for the future. This program signifies a revolutionary shift in the USAF’s modernization strategy, embracing a comprehensive “system-of-systems” approach rather than focusing on a single aircraft platform. Central to this network-connected family of systems is a cutting-edge Us 6th Gen Fighter Aircraft, designed to work alongside various manned aircraft, autonomous “loyal wingman” style unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and sophisticated command, control, and communication networks.
Concept art of the US 6th gen fighter aircraft for the NGAD program
A significant milestone was achieved in September 2020 when the USAF successfully flew a full-scale flight demonstrator under the NGAD program. This modern sixth-generation fighter is slated to replace the venerable F-22 Raptor starting in 2030. Initial procurement plans outline an acquisition of 200 NGAD fighters and 1,000 unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), based on pairing two CCAs with each NGAD fighter and two more with each of the 300 F-35 fifth-generation fighters intended to operate within this framework.
US Air Force F-22 Raptor, the aircraft the NGAD fighter will replace
Background and Origins of NGAD
The conceptual foundation for the NGAD program traces back to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Air Dominance Initiative study, concluded in 2014. Following this, the USAF released its Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan in May 2016. This plan emphasized the necessity for multi-domain solutions developed via a more agile and responsive acquisition process. This forward-looking flight plan ultimately evolved into the NGAD program, distinguished by its core system-of-systems architecture.
NGAD Program Development: A System of Systems
The NGAD initiative aims to equip the USAF with its Us 6th Gen Fighter Aircraft operating in concert with mission-specific unmanned platforms. This integrated force structure will leverage advanced weaponry, sophisticated electronic warfare suites, and next-generation sensors to ensure mission success even in highly contested operational environments.
USAF Secretary Frank Kendall confirmed in June 2022 that the NGAD program had reached readiness to proceed into the crucial engineering, manufacture, and design (EMD) phase. Subsequently, in May 2023, the Department of the Air Force initiated the source selection process by issuing a solicitation to industry for the EMD contract concerning the NGAD combat jet platform. This key contract award is anticipated in 2024.
USAF Secretary Frank Kendall discussing digital engineering benefits for the NGAD program
Powering the Future: The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP)
Propulsion for the us 6th gen fighter aircraft will be provided by cutting-edge engines developed through the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. In August 2022, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman were each awarded ten-year contracts valued at $975m for the NGAP initiative. These contracts encompass technology maturation and risk reduction efforts, spanning design, analysis, prototype engine testing, rig testing, and weapon system integration.
The goal is for each company to develop a prototype engine tailored for the next-generation fighter. Technologies emerging from NGAP promise enhanced survivability, greater fuel efficiency, and reliable power and thermal management – critical attributes for meeting the range, weapon, sensor, and endurance demands of future air dominance platforms. Lessons learned from the USAF’s earlier Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) are significantly informing the technologies and designs being incorporated into NGAP.
In February 2024, Pratt & Whitney, an RTX subsidiary, successfully completed a key evaluation of its NGAP solution with the USAF, moving the program closer to finalizing its detailed design review. The team is now concentrating on ground testing the NGAP prototype, designated XA103, scheduled for the late 2020s. Furthermore, GE Aerospace reported in November 2023 that its XA100 engine completed additional USAF testing after finishing AETP trials, providing valuable data potentially benefiting the NGAP program.
Rendering of a future US 6th gen fighter aircraft with a Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) engine
The Centerpiece: Details on the US 6th Gen Fighter Aircraft
The primary role of the NGAD fighter aircraft will be counter-air missions. It is designed to conduct air-to-air engagements and attack ground targets, ensuring air superiority for joint force operations. Key characteristics will include enhanced survivability, adaptability, persistence, and interoperability within the air domain. Due to the classified nature of the NGAD program, specific design details and technical specifications of the us 6th gen fighter aircraft remain undisclosed to the public.
Technological Edge: Digital Engineering and Open Architecture
Digital engineering plays a crucial role in the NGAD program, offering significant potential to accelerate aircraft development and production while simultaneously reducing overall costs. The USAF is also investing heavily in variable-cycle engine technology to boost electrical power generation capabilities and improve thermal management (cooling).
The acquisition strategy for NGAD aims to broaden the industrial base, facilitating the faster delivery of innovative warfighting capabilities. A major objective is to overcome challenges faced in previous USAF acquisition programs. NGAD will feature open architecture standards, enabling easier implementation of future upgrades, fostering competition throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle, and reducing long-term maintenance and sustainment costs.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs): The Unmanned Wingmen
Estimates place the cost of each NGAD fighter potentially as high as $300 million. Recognizing this significant investment, the USAF plans to field a larger number of less expensive Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). These unmanned platforms are designed to operate alongside the manned us 6th gen fighter aircraft or function autonomously, providing affordable mass and expanding tactical options.
CCAs flying in formation with manned fighters can seamlessly receive and execute pilot commands. They are expected to be equipped with advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, or additional munitions, allowing them to perform diverse roles such as shooters, jammers, or sensor platforms, effectively augmenting the capabilities of the primary fighter jet.
Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, a potential unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for NGAD
Funding and Budget Requests for the NGAD Programme
The NGAD program is projected to require approximately $16 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities over the five-year period ending in 2028. For the fiscal year 2024 (FY24), the USAF requested $2.3 billion for the program. This budget request includes funding for the continued development of the fighter aircraft itself and its NGAP powerplant. In the preceding FY23 budget request, the USAF allocated roughly $1.7 billion to NGAD, covering technology maturation, risk reduction, and R&D in areas like advanced sensors, resilient communications, and air vehicle technology.
Conclusion
The Next Generation Air Dominance program represents a pivotal undertaking for the US Air Force, centered around the development of a sophisticated us 6th gen fighter aircraft integrated within a complex system-of-systems architecture. Paired with Collaborative Combat Aircraft and underpinned by advanced technologies like adaptive engines and digital engineering, NGAD aims to replace the F-22 Raptor and secure American air superiority well into the future. With development progressing and significant funding allocated, the program is on track to deliver this next leap in air combat capability around 2030, fundamentally reshaping the future battlespace.
