The U.S. Air Force has not abandoned its program to develop the advanced Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet. However, redesigning the aircraft is necessary to control costs and better integrate loyal wingman drones.
Redesign and Cost Control in the NGAD Program
U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicated that the NGAD platform might end up with a less complex, smaller engine than initially intended to reduce costs. He stated, “We are looking at the NGAD platform design concept to see if it is the right concept. We are looking at whether we can do something cheaper and make some trade-offs.”
Plans for NGAD and Replacing the F-22 Raptor
NGAD is a highly classified program featuring a manned sixth-generation fighter jet planned to replace the F-22 Raptor fleet in the 2030s. It will have adaptable engines that can switch to the most efficient configuration as flight conditions change.
Cost and Budget Challenges of NGAD
Kendall noted that the NGAD is currently expected to cost about three times as much as a single F-35 fighter jet, significantly limiting the potential fleet size. While F-35s cost approximately $80 million to $100 million each, the price tag for the NGAD could approach $300 million.
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