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| Competition For NGAD Platform Development Has Started, US Last Fighter Jet |
International Military - The US Air Force (USAF) has released a confidential contract request for the engineering and manufacturing phase of the development of its NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) sixth-generation manned fighter platform to several aircraft manufacturers. The NGAD is expected to replace the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and be the last manned stealth fighter jet built by the US, the USAF said in a release.
This aircraft is designed to have higher lethality and capability to survive, operate, and adapt in the air domain. The actual details the USAF is looking for in this aircraft are limited. It is not yet known which manufacturers are expected to submit proposals.
However, general expectation is that Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing will be the next center of competition. So far, various NGAD designs from each manufacturer have appeared on social media.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall previously said that he expected the NGAD fighter jet to be the ideal platform as a replacement for the F-22. He said NGAD fighter jets would play a vital role in the future.