Currently, there are at least three Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft demonstrators, but it is unclear whether they all come in the form of flying aircraft. In this case, we are talking about a joint project of the US Air Force and American aircraft manufacturers aimed at creating an unobtrusive sixth-generation manned tactical fighter. This is reported by the US edition of The Drive, giving details of what is happening.
According to the publication, the competition for the future main contract with the US Air Force is now reduced to two general contractors or joint ventures. The existence of three NGAD demonstrators indicates that three major contractors or consortiums were involved at some point, and that this number has since been reduced to two. Likely contenders were Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman – as established heavyweights in terms of US fighter jet builders, these three should always be at the center of the competition.
A final decision on what is now considered a win-win contest is expected in 2024. So far, however, the Air Force has not released any details about the major contractors involved in the NGAD, nor on possible cooperation agreements allowing different companies to work together on their proposals. Unlike previous hunting competitions, NGAD remains classified, although some information is leaked.
The NGAD fighter will have to replace the F – 22. But NGAD is not just a manned aircraft, but a larger initiative, which also includes the development of advanced drones with a high degree of autonomy, new jet engines, weapons, sensors, EW / EW Systems, networked ecosystems, combat control capabilities and much more. And not just the Air Force, but also the US Navy.
The NGAD combat aircraft will be of very high technology, with a long range and payload, which will be particularly applicable to future conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region. It will cost several hundred million dollars per unit. Each of these aircraft is expected to be equipped with a variety of exotic features and subsystems, including wideband stealth, advanced electronics, and other “spectral” warfare capabilities.
Companies that lose the competition will also not be excluded from cash flow and orders. The winner will receive the main contract for fighters, and the losers will start producing not cheap Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones and a lot of equipment, components, weapons and other related products. Additionally, the US Air Force will order hundreds or even thousands of drones of various other types from losers to support the NGAD and broader aviation capabilities. It is also possible that one or both losing candidates are even involved in the production of the selected combat aircraft.
The Air Force wants to field NGAD fighters early in the next decade. Even with one or more flight demonstrators, it’s an extremely tight schedule given that the EMD milestone contract isn’t expected until next year. The Air Force also insists the program avoid “malpractice” that it says negatively impacted the F-35.
- specified in the publication.
Another factor in NGAD is the relationship between this US Air Force program and a separate equivalent US Navy program, the development of the sixth generation manned combat aircraft known as the F/A-XX. . The Navy has very clear requirements and is investing heavily in its own program.
While we know there is at least some overlap between the two programs, we don’t know to what extent or to what extent a contractor’s success in the Air Force program might influence the Navy’s choice. in its own version. However, the fact that the Navy will choose its own NGAD piloted aircraft means that even the Air Force that lost the tender could win the Navy tender and would likely be in a better position to build. a demonstrator.
- says the material.
The publication’s analysts suggested that the US Air Force’s NGAD program is gaining momentum and, although there is little reliable data, there is fierce competition in the shadows, the price of which will be production of an advanced tactical combat aircraft. It would serve for many decades and become the centerpiece of the entire US NGAD program.
Photos used: Lockheed Martin, Boeing
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