Source: U.S. Air ForceThe U.S. Air Force has temporarily paused development of its sixth-generation fighter program to ensure confidence in the design before moving forward with the program. The Air Force had expected to select a winner this year to build the new fighter jet, a follow-on to the F-22, but this hold raises questions about that timeline. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the service will “take a few months” to assess the designs and operational concepts for the fighter. The new jet falls under the umbrella of Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), a planned family of systems that also encompasses new autonomous wingman drones called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Secretary Kendall attempted to ease concerns that the program might be canceled and committed to moving forward with NGAD. “I’m absolutely confident we’re still going to do a sixth-generation crewed aircraft. There’s a chance it might be uncrewed, but I think we’re not quite ready for that yet and we can always do something like an optionally crewed platform,” he said.
The service has expressed some reservations about the fighter design in recent months, including questions about whether it should be a crewed platform, which could significantly impact the design of the aircraft. Kendall has also said they’re trying to determine if any trade-offs can be made to reduce program costs. In the past, Kendall has indicated the fighter could cost hundreds of millions of dollars per aircraft, raising concerns about affordability at a time when the Air Force is also funding major programs like the B-21 bomber and Sentinel ballistic missile, all while continuing F-35 production.
The Air Force requested $3.3 billion for NGAD development in FY25, slightly below the planned amount but $1 billion higher than the previous year’s enacted level. That figure includes $2.7 billion for the manned fighter and $557.1 million for CCA development, which are currently funded through the same program element in the budget. Over the FYDP, the manned fighter and CCA portions of the program are slated to receive $19.6 billion and $8.9 billion for development, respectively. The NGAD program currently represents the Air Force’s largest single development effort over the next five years.
The Air Force has expressed a desire for a fleet of 200 crewed NGAD fighters, which is roughly the size of the original F-22 fleet. It should be noted that the Air Force originally wanted a much larger F-22 fleet, but production was terminated early. The service said it also foresees acquiring 1,000 CCAs, which would be enough for two to accompany each NGAD jet, as well as two CCAs each to fly alongside 300 F-35A fighters. However, the Air Force is still in the process of drafting program requirements, and the scope of the program could change.
Northrop Grumman revealed in July 2023 that it would not bid for NGAD as a prime contractor, but it could serve as a supplier. Meanwhile, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the only U.S. manufacturers currently building fighter aircraft, making them the likely NGAD contenders.
As editor of International Military Markets, North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.
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- Secretary of the Air Force addresses LCID 2024: U.S. Air Force
