NGAD

Latest in NGAD

The U.S. Navy expects its sixth-generation fighter to enter service in the 2030s, bringing with it the ability to operate alongside drones and fly missions at long ranges — capabilities seen as essential for future conflict with China, for example. The Navy’s ambitions, if realized, mean that the service may introduce its next-generation crewed fighter before the U.S. Air Force, which is now re-examining requirements for its new stealth combat jet, with the program on temporary hold.

Navy Making Final Selection For F/A-XX Stealth Fighter, Plans For 2030s Service Entry

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 3 7:49 PM EDT
NGAD Lite

What Would A Far Cheaper Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Actually Look Like?

By Tyler Rogoway
Sep 24 5:13 PM EDT
The U.S. Air Force's still evolving requirements for a next-generation aerial refueling 'system of systems' will directly impact the service's reassessment of plans for a new sixth-generation stealth 'fighter.' The Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) effort will also inform work on a second tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.

Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 16 1:57 PM EDT
The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 4 3:52 PM EDT
A notional light fighter concept has been presented by the U.S. Air Force’s senior uniformed officer, providing a thought-provoking insight on one direction that the service’s future combat fleet could take. The concept emerges as Air Force officials are increasingly questioning the requirements for the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet being developed as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air Force Floats Light Stealth Fighter Concept As Its Heavy Fighter Program May Be In Jeopardy

By Thomas Newdick
Aug 20 7:21 PM EDT
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has shed some more light on the status of the new sixth-generation stealth combat jet under development as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. “We’re taking a pause,” Kendall said this morning, before reiterating that while fighter at the heart of the wider NGAD initiative will have a human pilot to start with, an optionally crewed version might be developed too.

Air Force Secretary “Absolutely Confident” 6th Gen Crewed Fighter Will Move Forward (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
Jul 30 5:42 PM EDT
The ballooning cost of the US Air Force's Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program is one of the drivers behind uncertainly over the future of its sixth-generation combat jet effort, which could evolve into a fully uncrewed platform.

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Uncertainty Tied To Sentinel ICBM Woes

By Joseph Trevithick
Jul 23 8:32 PM EDT
New questions have emerged about the future of the F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter program, the budget for which a draft Senate defense bill would slash.

Navy’s F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter Program Would Be Gutted Under Senate Defense Bill

By Joseph Trevithick
Jul 16 6:12 PM EDT
There is no official replacement for the F-22 Raptor, says the head of Air Combat Command. That could be another blow to the withering Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Air Force Now Says It Has No Official F-22 Raptor Replacement

By Howard Altman
Jul 10 5:59 PM EDT
The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick
Jul 1 8:48 PM EDT
Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick
Jul 1 5:09 PM EDT
The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budgets for the US Air Force and US Navy contain significant developments for their respective sixth-generation combat jet programs.

USAF Seeks NGAD Fighter Boost, Navy F/A-XX Investment Slows In New Budget

By Joseph Trevithick
Mar 11 9:40 PM EDT
Lockheed manned tailless fighter design

Skunk Works Teases Tailless NGAD Fighter Design In New Ad

By Tyler Rogoway
Nov 20 4:58 PM EST
CCA F-22

Collaborative Air Combat Drones Will Head To Pacific En Masse

By Hope Hodge Seck
Sep 13 1:53 PM EDT
For the very beginning, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program has been about much more than only the bomber itself.

B-21 ‘Family Of Systems’ Details Emerge, Engine Test Runs Start

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 12 7:05 PM EDT
The Air Force says it is still considering employing its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones alongside B-21 bombers, and that the uncrewed aircraft might also serve as tankers and airlifters.

B-21 Raider Could Use Collaborative Drones Meant For Fighters

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 6 5:21 PM EDT