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| USAF To Select Design For NGAD 6th Generation Fighter Jet In 2024, Here's the Reason! |
International Military - The US Air Force (USAF) will select and determine the design for its NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) sixth-generation stealth fighter in 2024.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said a competition from aircraft manufacturers would go ahead to supply the NGAD system after a winner was selected. This original concept of competition would result in a series of better, less expensive platforms.
It added that only one design will be selected to be the NGAD platform. "We're only going to do one," Kendall said at a Defense Writers Group meeting in Washington, D.C. as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine (22/5).
Previously the USAF had released a secret solicitation for NGAD engineering and manufacturing development proposals on May 18. The winner will be decided next year, but some new details on the highly classified program will be released after that. Even today the USAF has not explained the size of this aircraft. However, the plan to acquire this sixth generation fighter is estimated at 200 aircraft for national needs.
Meanwhile, US Air Force experts say that at least 250 of these aircraft are needed to cover peacetime needs along with a minimum capacity for war waves. Regardless, Kendall also said he was less concerned with the structure of the USAF in terms of the number of aircraft and systems it had than modernization. In his opinion, this matter has been neglected for too long.
The challenge to China, which has aggressively advanced its air superiority and air defense capabilities, is of particular importance. NGAD is key to the plan to strengthen the USAF. This formulation includes increased ability to survive and adapt in the air domain with a rigorous operating environment.