Next Generation Air Dominance
{{Short description|American sixth-generation fighter initiative}}
{{for|the US Navy's own distinct sixth-generation air superiority fighter program, also called Next Generation Air Dominance|F/A-XX program}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
| image = F-47-artist-rendition (cropped).jpg
| caption = Artist's rendering of the Boeing F-47, an upcoming sixth generation jet fighter
| aim = Air superiority fighter
| requirement =
| issuer = United States Air Force
| service =
| value =
| initiated = 2014 (DARPA Air Dominance Initiative)
| proposals = proposals from Boeing and Lockheed Martin
| prototypes =
| concluded =
| outcome = Boeing selected to develop and produce the F-47
| predecessors =
| successors =
| related = Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP), F/A-XX program (Navy program)
}}
The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is a United States Air Force (USAF) sixth-generation air superiority initiative with a goal of fielding a "family of systems" that is to succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-12 |title=CSAF: F-22 Not in USAF's Long-Term Plan |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/csaf-f-22-not-in-usafs-long-term-plan/ |website=Air Force Magazine |language=en-US |access-date=2021-05-26}}{{Cite web |last1=Copp |first1=Tara |last2=Weisgerber |first2=Marcus |date=12 May 2021 |title=The Air Force Is Planning For a Future Without the F-22 |url=https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/05/air-force-planning-future-without-f-22/174001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925125019/https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/05/air-force-planning-future-without-f-22/174001/ |archive-date=25 September 2023 |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=Defense One}} A crewed fighter aircraft is the centerpiece program of NGAD and has been referred to as the Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA) platform and is to be supported by uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), or loyal wingman platforms, through manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).{{cite report |title=Department of the Air Force Acquisition Biennial Report 2019 + 2020 |url= https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2021SAF/04_Apr/FY19_FY20_Dept_of_the_Air_Force_Acquisition_Biennial_Report_final.pdf |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date= 2021 |page=55}}
The NGAD originates from DARPA's Air Dominance Initiative study in 2014 and is expected to field the new fighter aircraft in the 2030s. While originally pitched as a joint Air Force-Navy program, the two services established separate offices and programs. Despite sharing the same name, the Air Force's NGAD effort is distinct from the Navy's,{{refn|To verbally distinguish between the two programs and their spoken acronyms, the Air Force NGAD is pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|n|g|æ|d}}, while Navy NGAD is pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|n|dʒ|æ|d}} (the "G" pronounced like a "j").|group=N}} which has the F/A-XX as its crewed fighter component and would have a similar fielding timeframe. In March 2025, the Air Force chose the Boeing F-47 as the winning design for the NGAD PCA, with the program moving to Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD).{{efn|name=award|1= This award allows the Air Force officials to maintain multiple air dominance suppliers.Valerie Insinna and Michael Marrow [http://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/why-boeings-f-47-ngad-next-gen-fighter-win-was-existential-for-the-company/ (21 March 2025) Why Boeing’s F-47 NGAD next-gen fighter win was existential for the company]Steve Trimble [https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/boeing-wins-us-air-forces-ngad-f-47-fighter-contract (21 March 2025) Boeing Wins U.S. Air Force's NGAD F-47 Fighter Contract]Stefano D'Urso and David Cenciotti [https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/21/ngad-awarded/ (21 March 2025) Breaking: Boeing Awarded Contract to Build U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter called F-47]Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway [https://www.twz.com/air/boeing-wins-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter-contract (21 March 2025) Boeing Wins F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Contract]}}
The Air Force expects to buy about 200 manned NGAD fighters and more than 1,000 CCAs, following a 2:1 ratio with NGAD and F-35 aircraft.{{Cite web |title=Next Generation Air Dominance Programme, US |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/next-generation-air-dominance-programme-us/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Airforce Technology}}
History
The NGAD grew out of Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) studies of concepts for air superiority systems of the 2030s for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, particularly its Air Dominance Initiative study published in March 2014. The following year, Defense Department acquisition chief Frank Kendall launched the DARPA-led Aerospace Innovation Initiative (AII) to develop X-plane prototypes to demonstrate technology for future fighter aircraft.{{cite web |last=Mehta |first=Aaron |date=1 February 2015 |title=Kendall Unveils 6th Gen Fighter Strategy |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2015/02/01/kendall-unveils-6th-gen-fighter-strategy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104033904/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2015/02/01/kendall-unveils-6th-gen-fighter-strategy/ |archive-date=4 January 2024 |work=Defense News}} In 2016, the USAF released its Air Superiority 2030 (AS 2030) flight plan, which called for a family of systems focused on a crewed aircraft called the Penetrating Counter-Air. The DARPA AII X-plane prototypes would serve as full-scale flight demonstrators for the PCA.{{cite web |last=Trimble |first=Steve |date=21 September 2020 |title=The Nearly Decade-long Story That Led To NGAD Flight Demonstrator |url=https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/air-dominance/nearly-decade-long-story-led-ngad-flight-demonstrator |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031135521/https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/air-dominance/nearly-decade-long-story-led-ngad-flight-demonstrator |archive-date=31 October 2020 |work=Aviation Week}}{{cite web |date=6 October 2020 |title=Introduction to the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance Program |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/10/06/introduction-to-the-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009103633/https://news.usni.org/2020/10/06/introduction-to-the-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-program |archive-date=9 October 2020 |work=U.S. Naval Institute}}
In 2018, AS 2030 evolved into the NGAD,{{Cite journal |last=Albon |first=Courtney |date=2018 |title=Air Force extends AOA for NGAD, moves away from single fighter platform |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26506699 |journal=Inside the Air Force |volume=29 |issue=38 |pages=3–4 |issn=2164-8174}}{{cite podcast |last1=Kendall |first1=Frank |author1-link=Frank Kendall III |last2=Hunter |first2=Andrew |author2-link=Andrew P. Hunter |interviewer-last=Muradian |interviewer-first=Vago |interviewer-link=Vago Muradian |date=27 March 2025 |title=The Secret History |url=https://defaeroreport.com/2025/03/27/defense-aerospace-air-power-podcast-mar-27-25-season-3-e11-the-secret-history/ |work=Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast |publisher=Defense & Aerospace Report |time= |access-date=28 March 2025}} an effort to develop technologies for air dominance: propulsion, stealth, advanced weapons,{{cite web |date=5 October 2020 |title=Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/10/06/introduction-to-the-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009103633/https://news.usni.org/2020/10/06/introduction-to-the-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-program |archive-date=9 October 2020 |work=U.S. Naval Institute}} digital design (CAD-based engineering),{{Cite web |last=Hitchens |first=Theresa |date=9 July 2021 |title=Digital Design Revolution Key To All Domain Ops: Air & Space Officials Say |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2021/07/digital-design-revolution-key-to-all-domain-ops-air-space-officials-say/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104034349/https://breakingdefense.com/2021/07/digital-design-revolution-key-to-all-domain-ops-air-space-officials-say/ |archive-date=4 January 2024 |website=Breaking Defense}}{{Cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=9 July 2021 |title=How two F-16s from the US Air Force's 'boneyard' will find a second life as digital models |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/07/09/how-two-f-16s-from-the-air-forces-boneyard-will-find-a-second-life-as-the-digital-model-for-the-fleet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210711115247/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/07/09/how-two-f-16s-from-the-air-forces-boneyard-will-find-a-second-life-as-the-digital-model-for-the-fleet/ |archive-date=11 July 2021 |website=Breaking Defense}} and thermal management of the aircraft signature.{{Cite web |last1=Gertler |first1=Jeremiah |last2=Hoehn |first2=John R. |date=23 June 2022 |title=Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11659 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222033814/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11659 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |website=Congressional Research Service}} The program changes traditional Air Force acquisitionMorgan Dwyer. (8 November 2019). [https://www.csis.org/analysis/air-force-digital-century-series-beyond-buzzwords "The Air Force Digital Century Series: Beyond the Buzzwords"]. CSIS.org. Retrieved 10 March 2022. by separating design, production, and support functions in the development process, and making use of more frequent industry competitions and simulations in the design and manufacturing process.{{Cite web |last=Mayfield |first=Mandy |date=14 July 2020 |title=Air Force 'Digital Century Series' Acquisition Concept Nearing Milestone |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/7/14/air-force-digital-century-series-concept-approaching-new |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531202147/https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/7/14/air-force-digital-century-series-concept-approaching-new |archive-date=31 May 2023 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=National Defense Magazine}} It was given a $9 billion budget through 2025.{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Jon |date=21 September 2021 |title=Air Force's NGAD Program 'Progressing Per Plan' |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/9/21/air-forces-ngad-program-progressing-per-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530141858/https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/9/21/air-forces-ngad-program-progressing-per-plan |archive-date=30 May 2023 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=National Defense Magazine}}
Envisaged as an F-22 successor, the PCA is intended to be a long-range, high-speed, stealthy sensor-shooter aircraft and initially was not planned to operate with uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).{{cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |url=https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/2019/09/16/the-us-air-forces-radical-plan-for-a-future-fighter-could-field-a-jet-in-5-years/ |title=The US Air Force’s radical plan for a future fighter could field a jet in 5 years |work=Defense News |date=16 September 2019}}{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |date=16 June 2021 |title=Brown: NGAD Will be a Multirole Fighter |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/ngad-multirole-fighter-f-35-block-4// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928032230/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ngad-multirole-fighter-f-35-block-4/ |archive-date=28 September 2023 |work=Air Force Magazine}}{{cite report |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1169997.pdf |title=Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction |date=2020 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |page=1}} In particular, NGAD aims to develop a system that addresses the operation needs of the Indo-Pacific theater of operations, where current USAF fighters 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. The fighter is expected to use adaptive cycle engines being developed under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, with the General Electric XA102 and Pratt & Whitney XA103 competing for the propulsion system.{{cite web |last=Trimble |first=Steven |date=31 July 2020 |title=Budget Shows Flightworthy Sixth-Generation Fighter Engines |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/budget-shows-flightworthy-sixth-generation-fighter-engines |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216183513/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/budget-shows-flightworthy-sixth-generation-fighter-engines |archive-date=16 December 2022 |work=Aviation Week}} The DARPA X-plane demonstrators for the PCA first flew in 2019, and in September 2020, the USAF announced that they had broken records with it.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/09/15/the-us-air-force-has-built-and-flown-a-mysterious-full-scale-prototype-of-its-future-fighter-jet/|title=The US Air Force has built and flown a mysterious full-scale prototype of its future fighter jet|author=Valerie Insinna|publisher=Defense News|date=15 September 2020|access-date=21 March 2025}}{{cite web |last=D'Urso |first=Stefano |url=https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/23/darpa-ngad-x-planes/ |title=Boeing and Lockheed Martin Each Flew an X-Plane in Preparation for NGAD |work=The Aviationist |date=23 March 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.darpa.mil/news/2025/darpa-f-47-plane |title=DARPA X-planes paved the way for the F-47 |work=Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) |date=21 March 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Introduction to the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance Program |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/10/06/introduction-to-the-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-program |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=USNI News}}
The crewed PCA fighter component of the NGAD was briefly envisioned to follow the rapid development and procurement cycles of the "Century Series" fighter aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s; dubbed "Digital Century Series" by Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/AQ) Will Roper, fighter designs would be continually iterated to enable the rapid insertion of new technology and procured in small batches. In May 2021, chief of staff of the USAF General Brown stated that the NGAD will start replacing the F-22 once it is operational in sufficient quantity, with the fielding goal in the 2030s.{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |date=13 May 2021 |title=New Force Design: NGAD Needed Soon, F-22 Sunset Begins in 2030 |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/new-force-design-ngad-needed-soon-f-22-sunset-begins-in-2030/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226185159/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-force-design-ngad-needed-soon-f-22-sunset-begins-in-2030/ |archive-date=26 February 2023 |work=Air Force Magazine}} The F-22 has also been used to test NGAD technology and some advances are expected to be applied to the F-22 as well.{{cite web |last=Rogoway |first=Tyler |date=25 April 2022 |title=F-22 Being Used To Test Next Generation Air Dominance 'Fighter' Tech |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-22-being-used-to-test-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter-tech |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119213709/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-22-being-used-to-test-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter-tech |archive-date=19 November 2023 |work=The Drive}} The complexity and sophistication of modern aircraft design, however, eventually caused the "Digital Century Series" to be reevaluated compared to a more traditional development and procurement approach, with the debate still ongoing. Furthermore, advancements in automation technology has increased the role of CCAs in the USAF force planning, and the PCA is now expected to be supported by a variety of complementing "manned, unmanned, optionally manned, cyber, electronic" systems, including uncrewed CCAs to carry extra munitions and perform other missions.
In June 2022, the USAF determined that critical technologies were ready to support the program for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD). In August 2022, the Air Force awarded $975 million to several defense contractors, including Pratt & Whitney and GE Aviation, for prototype engine development.{{Cite web |title=USAF Contracts for NGAP Propulsion |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/usaf-awards-contracts-for-next-gen-adaptive-propulsion |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Janes}}
According to Roper, the first full-scale technology demonstrator prototype of the NGAD crewed fighter aircraft from the AII X-plane program had been flown in 2020, and by 2023, three separate prototypes had flown.{{cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=15 September 2020 |title=The US Air Force has built and flown a mysterious full-scale prototype of its future fighter jet |url=https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/09/15/the-us-air-force-has-built-and-flown-a-mysterious-full-scale-prototype-of-its-future-fighter-jet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200915224233/https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/09/15/the-us-air-force-has-built-and-flown-a-mysterious-full-scale-prototype-of-its-future-fighter-jet/ |archive-date=15 September 2020 |work=Defense News}}{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kendall-x-plane-program-preceded-ngad/ |title=Kendall Reveals Secret X-Plane Program Paved the Way for NGAD |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=14 November 2023}} The formal solicitation was announced in May 2023, with the goal of source selection in 2024.{{cite web |last=Losey |first=Stephen |date=1 June 2022 |title=The Air Force's next-gen fighter has moved into a critical new phase |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/06/01/the-air-forces-next-gen-fighter-has-moved-into-a-critical-new-phase/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221206214901/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/06/01/the-air-forces-next-gen-fighter-has-moved-into-a-critical-new-phase/ |archive-date=6 December 2022 |work=Defense News}}{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |date=24 June 2022 |title=Kendall Dispenses With Roper's Quick NGAD Rhythm; System is Too Complex |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kendall-dispenses-with-ropers-quick-ngad-rhythm-system-is-too-complex/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428003721/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kendall-dispenses-with-ropers-quick-ngad-rhythm-system-is-too-complex/ |archive-date=28 April 2023 |work=Air Force Magazine}}{{cite web |last=Marrow |first=Michael |date=18 May 2023 |title=NGAD Deadline: Air Force's next-generation fighter will be selected in 2024 |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/the-air-forces-next-generation-fighter-will-be-selected-in-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228202605/https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/the-air-forces-next-generation-fighter-will-be-selected-in-2024/ |archive-date=28 December 2023 |work=Breaking Defense}}
On 27 July 2023, Kathy Warden, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman, confirmed that the company notified the U.S. Air Force that it would not bid as a prime contractor for the program, leaving Boeing and Lockheed Martin as the probable two remaining contenders for the main manned fighter component of the program.{{cite web |last=Biesecker |first=Cal |date=27 July 2023 |title=Northrop Grumman Powers On B-21; Won't Bid On NGAD |url=https://www.defensedaily.com/northrop-grumman-powers-on-b-21-wont-bid-on-ngad/business-financial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728224446/https://www.defensedaily.com/northrop-grumman-powers-on-b-21-wont-bid-on-ngad/business-financial/ |archive-date=28 July 2023 |work=Defense Daily}}
In fiscal 2023, the NGAD program received about $1.66 billion, with plans for $11.7 billion more from fiscal 2024 to 2027.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12805 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Congressional Research Service}}
In July 2024, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced that the Air Force was "taking a pause" on the crewed component of the NGAD program. “With the platform itself, we’re taking a pause. With the rest of the elements of the air dominance family of systems, we’re moving forward as fast as we can.” Kendall also expressed confidence that the Air Force was "still going to do a sixth-generation crewed aircraft."{{Cite web |title=Air Force Pauses NGAD Program as Kendall Calls for Design Review |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/why-the-air-force-paused-ngad-and-whats-next/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine}}{{Cite web |title=Air Force Prepares NGAD for Next Phase |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2024/09/15/air-force-prepares-ngad-for-next-phase |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=National Defense Magazine}}{{Cite web |title=The Future of Air Dominance: A Comprehensive Look at NGAD |url=https://debuglies.com/2024/07/06/the-future-of-air-dominance-a-comprehensive-look-at-the-u-s-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-ngad-initiative/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Debug Dailies}}
Air Force veterans and industry experts have expressed concern with the idea that the B-21 Raider would be able to penetrate a hostile integrated air defense system (IADS) without support from a crewed 6th-gen NGAD fighter. In "Episode 196 – What's Up With NGAD?" on The Aerospace Advantage podcast by the Mitchell Institute, John "JV" Venable, Air Force veteran and Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, said, "This idea that you don't need someone going in and sweeping out the threat in front of a B 21 is absolutely catastrophic."{{Cite web |title=The Aerospace Advantage Podcast – Ep. 196 – What's Up with NGAD? The Stakes – Transcript |url=https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Aerospace-Advantage-Podcast-%E2%80%93-Ep.-196-%E2%80%93-Transcript-.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240904235924/https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Aerospace-Advantage-Podcast-%E2%80%93-Ep.-196-%E2%80%93-Transcript-.pdf |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |access-date=September 4, 2024}}
On September 4, 2024, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife reiterated the Air Force's decision to pause the PCA component of the NGAD program, stating that they were "starting at the beginning" with the requirements, according to reporting by The War Zone.{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2024-09-04 |title=Air Force "Starting At The Beginning" With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review |url=https://www.twz.com/air/air-force-going-back-to-the-beginning-with-6th-gen-crewed-fighter-requirements-review |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}} "I know what the mission that we have to get done is, but I don’t know that we need to build an airplane to do the mission," said Gen. Slife, referencing the NGAD's status as a system of systems rather than a single crewed fighter.
In December 2024, China revealed two stealth aircraft prototypes, which incited discussion on the then-paused NGAD program. Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute suggested the Chengdu aircraft could be the potential adversary to NGAD and give American planners incentives to continue the NGAD program.{{cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/how-chinas-new-next-gen-fighters-could-impact-americas-plans-for-ngad/ |title=How China’s new next-gen fighters could impact America’s plans for NGAD |website=Breaking Defense |date=7 January 2025 |first=Colin |last=Clark }}
In March 2025, Air Force leaders announced at the Air & Space Forces Association's (AFA) 2025 Warfare Symposium that the study had validated the need for the NGAD program. Kenneth Wilsbach of the Air Combat Command (ACC) said that crewed sixth-generation aircraft will be necessary to cooperate amid tomorrow's air defenses, electronic warfare systems, and sixth-generation aircraft.{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/chinas-new-sixth-generation-aircraft-likely-for-air-superiority-role-usaf/162057.article |title=China’s new sixth-generation aircraft likely for air superiority role: USAF |website=Flight Global |date=5 March 2025 |first= Ryan |last=Finnerty }}{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/next-generation-fighter-critical-to-future-air-superiority-key-usaf-study-concluded |title=Next Generation Fighter Critical To Future Air Superiority, Key USAF Study Concluded |website=The War Zone |date=5 March 2025 |first=Joseph |last=Trevithick }}
= Selection =
On March 21, 2025, the Air Force announced that the NGAD PCA aircraft would be designated F-47 and be designed and built by Boeing under a contract worth more than $20 billion.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Trump awards Boeing much-needed win with fighter jet contract: Reuters |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/trump-awards-boeing-much-needed-win-with-fighter-jet-contract-reuters.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Boeing Wins F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Contract |url=https://www.twz.com/air/boeing-wins-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter-contract |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=TWZ |language=en}}{{efn|name=award}}
The Air Force's fiscal 2025 budget request includes $3.3 billion for NGAD development: $2.7 billion for the manned fighter and $557 million for CCAs.{{Cite web |title=Boeing wins contract for NGAD fighter jet, dubbed F-47 |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/03/21/boeing-wins-contract-for-ngad-fighter-jet-dubbed-f-47/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Defense News}}{{Cite web |title=The US Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/the-us-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Defense Aerospace}}{{Cite web |title=Next Generation Air Dominance Programme, US |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/next-generation-air-dominance-programme-us/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Airforce Technology}}
See also
- Chengdu J-36
- Shenyang J-50
- {{lwc|Future Combat Air System|Future Combat Air System (FCAS)}}
- {{lwc|Global Combat Air Programme|Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)}}
- {{lwc|Mikoyan PAK DP}}
- Mothership
References
{{Reflist|group=N}}
=Notes=
{{Notelist}}