US courts secret bids for next generation air dominance fighter jet project
A Lockheed Martin concept for the future NGAD fighter. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
On 18 May, The US Air Force released a classified solicitation to industry for a contract to work on the service’s future fighter jet being developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project.
The USAF intends to award an engineering and manufacturing development contract for the programme in 2024.
NGAD intends to develop a next-generation fighter jet that will succeed the F-22 Raptor.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said: ‘The NGAD Platform is a vital element of the Air Dominance family of systems which represents a generational leap in technology over the F-22, which it will replace,
Related Articles
USAF seeks answer to ‘money question’ after first NGAD prototype flight
NGAD exemplifies usefulness of digital engineering
US Air Force recommences Air Operations Center training activity
‘NGAD will include attributes such as enhanced lethality and the ability to survive, persist, interoperate, and adapt in the air domain, all within highly contested operational environments.
‘No one does this better than the US Air Force, but we will lose that edge if we don't move forward now.’
The release of the secret solicitation formally begins the selection process for the F-22 successor, providing industry with the requirements the Air Force expects for NGAD.
The USAF said the NGAD acquisition strategy would ‘invigorate and broaden the industrial base to deliver rapid and innovative warfighting capabilities.’
Further information on the technical and programmatic details of NGAD remains under wraps to ‘protect operational and technological advantages.’
In 2020, the US announced it had secretly flown a full-scale NGAD prototype.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Hanwha Aerospace and GA-ASI join forces to co-develop UAVs]()
Hanwha Aerospace and GA-ASI join forces to co-develop UAVs
The $510 million partnership will see Hanwha invest to co-develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle STOL, with a maiden flight test expected by 2027.
-
![Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase]()
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
![Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
