Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is a highly classified and secretive programme led by the US Air Force (USAF) aimed at increasing lethality and ensuring air superiority in future conflicts. This ambitious initiative revolutionizes the USAF’s modernization strategy by adopting a comprehensive system-of-systems approach rather than focusing solely on a single platform. The centerpiece of this network-connected family of systems is the planned Us Sixth Generation Fighter Aircraft.
This advanced sixth-generation fighter will operate alongside multiple manned aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles functioning as loyal wingmen, and sophisticated command, control, and communication systems. The USAF has already made significant progress, having flown a full-scale flight demonstrator as part of the NGAD programme back in September 2020. The modern sixth-generation fighter jet is slated to begin replacing the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft starting in 2030.
The USAF intends to procure an initial batch of 200 NGAD fighters. To complement these, they plan to acquire 1,000 unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs). This figure is based on the strategy of deploying two CCA platforms for each NGAD fighter, plus an additional two for each of the 300 F-35 fifth-generation fighters.
In February 2024, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, successfully completed a crucial evaluation of its next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP) solution in collaboration with the USAF. This achievement marks a significant step forward for the programme, moving towards the finalization of the detailed design review. The team is currently concentrating on ground testing for the NGAP prototype, designated XA103, with flight testing anticipated later in the 2020s.
USAF NGAD fighter program visual
Genesis and Evolution of the NGAD Programme
The roots of the NGAD programme can be traced back to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Air Dominance Initiative study, which concluded in 2014. Following this, the USAF released the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan in May 2016. This plan highlighted the critical need for multidomain solutions developed through a more agile acquisition process. The concepts outlined in the Air Superiority 2030 plan subsequently evolved into the NGAD programme, with the system-of-systems approach becoming its foundational principle. This evolution underscores the shift towards a more integrated and flexible approach to achieving air superiority. Interested readers can explore the broader context of military aviation through resources like a list of fighter aircraft by generation.
Development Stages and Contract Awards
The NGAD programme is designed to provide the USAF with a sixth-generation combat aircraft intended to operate in a teaming arrangement with mission-focused unmanned platforms. This integrated system will also incorporate advanced weapons, electronic warfare systems, and sensors, all working together to ensure mission success in highly contested environments. In June 2022, USAF Secretary Frank Kendall announced that the programme was ready to transition to the crucial engineering, manufacture, and design (EMD) phase of development. Building on this progress, the Department of the Air Force issued a solicitation to industry in May 2023 as part of the source selection process for the EMD contract for the NGAD combat jet platform. The significant contract award for this phase is anticipated in 2024.
USAF F-22 Raptor aircraft
The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) Programme
Powering this advanced combat jet will be sophisticated engines developed under the next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP) programme. In August 2022, multiple leading aerospace companies – Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman – were each awarded ten-year contracts valued at $975 million for the NGAP effort. These contracts cover essential activities such as technology maturation and risk reduction through various phases, including design, analysis, testing of prototype engines, rig testing, and integration with weapon systems. A key requirement for the contracted companies is the development of a prototype engine specifically for the next-generation fighter.
The technologies being developed under the NGAP programme promise significant advancements, including enhanced survivability, improved fuel efficiency, and reliable power and thermal management capabilities. These features are vital for providing the necessary range, weapon and sensor capabilities, and endurance that future air dominance platforms will require to meet evolving operational demands. Insights gained from the USAF’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) have been invaluable, directly influencing the technologies and architectures being integrated into the NGAP programme. For instance, GE Aerospace reported in November 2023 that its XA100 engine completed additional testing in partnership with the US Air Force after finishing all AETP testing the previous year, providing insights beneficial to NGAP. Discussions around future military aviation often include concepts for future military fighter aircraft.
USAF Secretary Frank Kendall speaking
Capabilities of the NGAD Fighter Jet
The NGAD fighter aircraft is designed to perform critical counter-air missions. This includes conducting air-to-air strikes against aerial threats and attacking ground-based targets to ensure air superiority for the joint force. The aircraft is expected to deliver enhanced survivability in contested airspace, increased adaptability to various mission requirements, persistence over target areas, and seamless interoperability with other platforms. Due to the highly classified nature of the programme, detailed design specifications and capabilities of the aircraft have not been publicly disclosed. The development of such advanced capabilities is central to the evolution of air force fighter aircraft overall.
Technological Advancements and Acquisition Strategy
The NGAD programme benefits significantly from the implementation of digital engineering tools and processes. This approach is expected to accelerate the development and production timelines for the aircraft while also helping to reduce overall programme costs. The USAF has also invested heavily in developing variable-cycle engines. These engines offer the potential for increased electrical power generation, improved cooling capabilities crucial for advanced sensors and systems, and better fuel efficiency across different flight regimes. The acquisition strategy for the NGAD programme is designed to broaden the industrial base involved in its development. This aims to bring innovative warfighting capabilities to the forces more quickly by fostering competition and leveraging diverse industry expertise. A key objective of this strategy is to mitigate the challenges encountered in some of the USAF’s recent large-scale acquisition programmes. The NGAD will incorporate open architecture standards, which are intended to facilitate the implementation of future upgrades and modifications throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle. An open architecture platform is expected to maximize competition for these upgrades, potentially leading to reduced costs related to maintenance and sustainment over time.
Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie unmanned aircraft
The Role of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
Given the estimated high cost of the manned NGAD fighter – potentially as much as $300 million per aircraft – the USAF is strategically planning to field a larger number of less-expensive Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). These unmanned platforms are intended to operate in tandem with crewed NGAD fighters or potentially autonomously, providing affordable mass and increased capability in combat scenarios. When flying with a manned fighter jet, CCAs can seamlessly receive and execute commands from the pilot, acting as extensions of the manned platform. They are anticipated to carry various payloads, such as advanced sensors, electronic warfare packages, or additional munitions, allowing them to augment the fighter jet’s capabilities and perform different roles – including acting as a shooter, jammer, or sensor node. This concept is a key element in the future landscape of military aviation, alongside developments seen in countries like China with their own china jet fighter aircraft.
Funding and Budget Requests
The NGAD programme represents a significant financial investment for the US Air Force. It is estimated to require approximately $16 billion over the next five years, through 2028, specifically for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities. In its budget proposal for the financial year 2024 (FY24), the USAF requested $2.3 billion for the programme. This requested amount includes necessary investment for the continued development of the fighter aircraft itself and the crucial NGAP power plant. In the preceding financial year 2023 (FY23), the USAF’s budget request included approximately $1.7 billion allocated to the NGAD programme, covering funding required for technology maturation, risk reduction activities, and further research and development efforts focused on advanced sensors, resilient communications, and air vehicle technology.
Computer generated image of a future NGAD fighter
Conclusion
The US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, centered around the development of a cutting-edge Us Sixth Generation Fighter Aircraft, represents a fundamental shift in how the service plans to maintain air superiority in the future. By embracing a system-of-systems approach incorporating manned fighters, unmanned CCAs, and advanced technology like NGAP engines and open architectures, the USAF is aiming for a more adaptable, resilient, and effective force. While highly classified, the public details revealed highlight a complex and well-funded effort to replace legacy platforms like the F-22 and ensure technological advantage in the coming decades. The program’s progress towards the engineering and manufacturing phase indicates a commitment to fielding this next generation of air power, promising significant changes in aerial combat capabilities.
