Next Generation Air Dominance: The New Air Force Fighter Aircraft Taking Flight by 2030
Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is a highly classified and secretive program led by the US Air Force (USAF) with the primary goal of increasing lethality and ensuring air superiority in future conflicts. This ambitious initiative is set to revolutionize USAF modernization plans by adopting a comprehensive system-of-systems approach, moving beyond reliance on single, standalone platforms.
The heart of this network-connected NGAD family of systems will be a New Air Force Fighter Aircraft, representing the cutting-edge of sixth-generation combat technology. This central manned platform will be complemented by multiple supporting assets, including other piloted aircraft, advanced loyal wingman-style unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and sophisticated command, control, and communication systems. The USAF demonstrated progress in September 2020 by flying a full-scale flight demonstrator as part of the NGAD program.
The modern sixth-generation fighter jet developed under NGAD is projected to replace the current F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, with initial deployment expected to commence in 2030. The USAF anticipates procuring approximately 200 NGAD fighters initially.
Conceptual image of the US Air Force's new air force fighter aircraft for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program
The NGAD program traces its origins back to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Air Dominance Initiative study, which concluded in 2014. Following this, the USAF published the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan in May 2016. This flight plan highlighted the critical need for multidomain solutions, emphasizing their development through a more agile acquisition process than previously utilized. The Air Superiority 2030 concept subsequently evolved into the comprehensive NGAD program, fundamentally centered on this innovative system-of-systems strategy.
A US Air Force F-22 Raptor, the fifth-generation fighter aircraft slated for replacement by the new NGAD fighter
Development details reveal that the NGAD program aims to equip the USAF with a sixth-generation combat aircraft capable of operating in a teaming arrangement with mission-focused unmanned platforms. This integrated approach will also include advanced weapons, sophisticated electronic warfare systems, and cutting-edge sensors, all designed to ensure mission success within a highly contested battlespace. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced in June 2022 that the program had reached readiness to transition into the engineering, manufacturing, and design phase of development. Progress continued in May 2023, when the Department of the Air Force issued a solicitation to industry, initiating the source selection process for the engineering and manufacturing development contract for the NGAD combat jet platform. This significant contract is anticipated to be awarded in 2024. Understanding the strategic roles of these aircraft is crucial, especially considering the difference between fighter and bomber aircraft in modern air power.
The propulsion system for the new combat jet will be powered by advanced engines developed under the next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP) program. In August 2022, major industry players including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman were each awarded ten-year contracts valued at $975 million for the NGAP program. These contracts encompass various phases of technology maturation and risk reduction, involving design, analysis, rigorous rig testing, prototype engine testing, and integration with weapon systems. The contracted companies are tasked with developing prototype engines specifically for the next-generation fighter aircraft.
The technologies being developed under the NGAP program are designed to provide solutions for enhanced survivability and significantly improved fuel efficiency. They also aim to deliver reliable power and superior thermal management capabilities. These advancements are deemed essential for providing the required range, enabling the integration of advanced weapon and sensor capabilities, and ensuring the endurance that future air dominance platforms will need to meet evolving operational requirements. Insights gained from the USAF’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) have been highly beneficial, directly influencing the technologies and architectures currently being integrated into the NGAP program. In November 2023, GE Aerospace reported successful completion of additional testing for its XA100 engine in partnership with the US Air Force, building on all AETP testing finished the previous year, with the potential insights further aiding the NGAP effort.
Conceptual image of a future NGAD fighter aircraft engine from the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program
The NGAD fighter aircraft is intended for deployment in crucial counter-air missions. Its operational profile will include performing air-to-air strikes as well as engaging ground-based targets, all with the overarching objective of establishing and maintaining air superiority for the joint force. Key performance attributes for the aircraft include enhanced survivability, adaptability to changing mission parameters, persistence in the operational area, and seamless interoperability within the air domain and across services. Due to the highly classified nature of the NGAD program, specific details regarding the detailed design and full technical specifications of the aircraft have not been made public. This secrecy extends to comparisons with other advanced military aviation developments, such as China’s 6th generation fighter aircraft programs.
The NGAD program is designed to benefit substantially from the application of digital engineering tools and methodologies. This approach is expected to accelerate the development and production timelines for the aircraft while simultaneously contributing to a reduction in overall costs. The USAF has also strategically invested in variable-cycle engine technology, aimed at increasing electrical power generation capacity and improving crucial cooling systems onboard the aircraft. The acquisition strategy for the NGAD program is being carefully crafted to broaden the industrial base involved, with the goal of bringing innovative warfighting capabilities to the forces more quickly than in previous programs. A key objective is to actively mitigate challenges encountered during the acquisition of recent USAF platforms. A central element of this strategy is the incorporation of open architecture standards into the NGAD system. This will facilitate competition for future upgrades throughout the platform’s lifecycle, potentially reducing long-term maintenance and sustainment costs significantly.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall discussing the NGAD program and digital engineering tools
One critical component of the NGAD system-of-systems is the integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). Given that the manned NGAD fighter is estimated to cost as much as $300 million per aircraft – highlighting its status as potentially among the biggest fighter aircraft in the world in terms of cost and capability – the USAF plans to field a greater number of less-expensive CCAs. These unmanned platforms are designed to operate effectively in tandem with crewed NGAD fighters, functioning as loyal wingmen, or potentially operating autonomously. Their role is to provide affordable mass and expanded capabilities in complex combat scenarios. CCAs flying alongside a manned fighter jet can seamlessly receive and execute commands from the pilot. They are expected to carry a variety of payloads, including advanced sensors, electronic warfare packages, or additional munitions, thereby augmenting the capabilities of the manned fighter jet and enabling it to perform diverse roles such as acting as an extra shooter, a jammer, or a sensor node.
The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie unmanned aircraft, a potential collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) for the NGAD system
Financially, the NGAD program represents a significant investment. It is estimated to require $16 billion over a five-year period, stretching through 2028, specifically for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities. The USAF’s budget proposal for the financial year 2024 (FY24) included a request for $2.3 billion for the program. This request specifically covers necessary investments to further develop the fighter aircraft platform itself and its sophisticated NGAP power plant. In the preceding financial year 2023 (FY23) budget request, the USAF had included approximately $1.7 billion allocated to the NGAD program. That funding was designated to cover the costs associated with NGAD’s technology maturation and risk reduction activities, as well as supporting further research and development efforts focused on advanced sensors, resilient communications systems, and overall air vehicle technology development.
In conclusion, the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program and its central New Air Force Fighter Aircraft represent a pivotal shift towards a networked, system-of-systems approach to air superiority. While highly classified, the program is progressing, incorporating advanced technologies like adaptive engines and digital engineering, and is expected to field its sixth-generation fighter and collaborative drones by 2030 to meet the challenges of future combat.
