Air Force Accelerates 6th-Gen Stealth NGAD With $3.4 Billion Budget Push

by Olawale Abaire, Warrior Contributor

Department of Defense announced a significant investment in the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A total of $3.4 billion has been allocated, including $600 million for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative is a joint venture between the Air Force and the Navy, drawing on the collective expertise of nearly 30 industry partners. This collaboration focuses on the development of air vehicles, mission systems, and autonomous technologies, as well as software innovation.

 This funding aims to accelerate the development, testing, and fielding of platforms to increase joint ports’ lethality and survivability at an affordable cost.

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is designed to ensure the U.S. maintains air superiority by focusing on enhancing the survivability, lethality, and interoperability of its air forces. A key component of this initiative is the integration of unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which will work in conjunction with future manned aircraft to extend capabilities and operational flexibility. This approach aims to incorporate advanced technologies and capabilities, including autonomous systems, to ensure the U.S. Air Force remains at the forefront of air combat effectiveness in highly contested environments

OLAWALE ABAIRE is a researcher, writer and analyst who has written over 75 nonfiction books, He has master’s degree in Biochemistry from Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria. He also works as a web content writer with the revered International Lean Six Sigma Institute, UK