Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The U.S., long known for its aerial combat prowess, is now facing stiff competition, particularly in hotspots like the South China Sea and Taiwan. This has led to the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a significant leap forward in military aviation.
The introduction of the F-22 Raptor, the first fifth-generation fighter jet, solidified the U.S.’s status in aerial combat. This prompted rivals such as Russia and China to fast-track their own military aviation programs, leading to the creation of the Chengdu J20 and Sukhoi Su-57, respectively. The F-35 Lightning II, America’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter, is renowned for its versatility and cutting-edge technology.
The Pentagon’s NGAD is poised to be a sixth-generation fighter with next-level capabilities. It is expected to feature advancements in stealth technology, sensor fusion, and weapon systems that will redefine the parameters of air combat.
The NGAD program, first conceived in 2014, aims to achieve air superiority by prioritizing five key technologies in its design: advanced weapons, stealth, digital design, propulsion, and thermal management. The program envisions a networked ecosystem where manned and unmanned platforms collaborate in real-time, enhancing situational awareness, agility, and combat effectiveness.
While the U.S. pioneered fifth-generation airframes with aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, the race for sixth-generation dominance is global. The NGAD program is making rapid progress, with the NGAD demonstrator aircraft already in flight and a contract could be awarded within a year to officially begin its development.
Given the current threat landscape, introducing a next-generation fighter program is critical to maintaining America’s dominant air capabilities. The NGAD program reflects a strategic move to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of military technology, ensuring that the U.S. continues to hold a decisive advantage in any future aerial engagements.
The F-35 and NGAD, while both being advanced fighter jets, serve different purposes and are at different stages of their life cycles. The F-35 is currently in service and has proven its capabilities in various operational scenarios. On the other hand, the NGAD is still in the development phase, with the U.S. Air Force planning to award the contract in 2024.
The Pentagon has worked on learning lessons from the development of the F-35 and plans to have tighter control over the NGAD program. The NGAD is expected to cost “multiples” of the F-35, meaning each aircraft will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
As the Pentagon continues to monitor the skies and track advancements in military aviation, one thing is clear: the race for sustained US air dominance is taking on new dimensions.
