Next Generation Air Dominance

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is the United States Air Force (USAF) sixth-generation fighter program with a goal of fielding a "family of systems" that would eventually succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22.[1][2] The fighter aircraft component is the centerpiece of the program and has been referred to as the F-X or Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA).[3]

Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
Project for Air superiority fighter
Issued by United States Air Force
Related programs Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP), F/A-XX program (Navy)

The NGAD is expected to field the new fighter aircraft in the 2030s. While having an identical name, the program is distinct from the U.S. Navy’s NGAD program, which has the F/A-XX as its fighter component and would have a similar fielding timeframe.

History

The NGAD program was initiated in the early 2010s to develop a 2030s air superiority system for the U.S. Air Force. In 2018 the program moved away from a single addition towards a suite of capabilities.[4] The program aims to develop several key technologies in areas such as propulsion, stealth, advanced weapons,[5] digital design (CAD-based engineering),[6][7] and thermal management of the aircraft signature.[8] The program changes traditional Air Force acquisition[9] by the separation of design, production, and support functions in the development process with a $9 billion budget through 2025.[10][11] More frequent industry competitions and simulations in the design and manufacturing process are characteristic of the development program.[12] NGAD is described as a "family of systems", with a fighter aircraft as the centerpiece of the system, and other parts of the system likely to be unmanned escort aircraft to carry extra munitions and perform other missions.[13] In particular, NGAD aims to develop a system that addresses the operation needs of the Pacific theater of operations, where current USAF assets lack sufficient range and payload. USAF commanders have noted that there may be two variants of NGAD: one with long range and payload for the Indo-Pacific and one more oriented to the relatively short ranges between possible battle areas in Europe.[13] The fighter is expected to leverage adaptive cycle engines being developed under the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) and Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, with flight ready engines expected by 2025.[14]

In September 2020, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper stated that a full-scale prototype of the NGAD fighter aircraft has flown.[15] In May 2021, chief of staff of the USAF General Brown stated that the NGAD will start replacing the F-22 in the 2030s.[16]

See also

References
  1. "CSAF: F-22 Not in USAF's Long-Term Plan". Air Force Magazine. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  2. "The Air Force Is Planning For a Future Without the F-22". Defense One. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. Department of the Air Force Acquisition Biennial Report 2019 + 2020 (PDF) (Report). U.S. Air Force. p. 55.
  4. Albon, Courtney. “Air Force Extends AOA for NGAD, Moves Away from Single Fighter Platform.” Inside the Air Force, vol. 29, no. 38, Inside Washington Publishers, 2018, pp. 3–4, JSTOR website Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  5. "Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction". Congressional Research Service. 5 October 2020.
  6. Theresa Hitchens (9 Jul 2021) Digital Design Revolution Key To All Domain Ops: Air & Space Officials Say
  7. Valerie Insinna (9 Jul 2021) How two F-16s from the US Air Force’s ‘boneyard’ will find a second life as digital models
  8. Jeremiah Gertler (5 Oct 2020) Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction IF11659
  9. Morgan Dwyer. (8 November 2019). "The Air Force Digital Century Series: Beyond the Buzzwords". CSIS.org. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  10. Gertler, Jeremiah. (5 October 2020). "Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction". Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  11. Harper, Jon. (21 September 2021). "AFA NEWS: Air Force's NGAD Program 'Progressing Per Plan'". National Defense Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  12. Mandy Mayfield. (14 July 2020). "JUST IN: Air Force ‘Digital Century Series’ Acquisition Concept Nearing Milestone". National Defense Magazine website Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  13. Tirpak, John (16 June 2021). "Brown: NGAD Will be a Multirole Fighter". Air Force Magazine.
  14. Trimble, Steven (31 July 2020). "Budget Shows Flightworthy Sixth-Generation Fighter Engines". Aviation Week.
  15. Insinna, Valerie (15 September 2020). "The US Air Force has built and flown a mysterious full-scale prototype of its future fighter jet". Defense News.
  16. Tirpak, John (13 May 2021). "New Force Design: NGAD Needed Soon, F-22 Sunset Begins in 2030". Air Force Magazine.
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