The future of U.S. air dominance is shaping up with plans to invest heavily in the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program, a cutting-edge initiative set to redefine aerial combat and address concerns over potential aircraft shortages.

With a projected spend of $28.5 billion from 2025 to 2029, the U.S. Air Force is ramping up the NGAD program.

It’s not just about numbers; the NGAD is a paradigm shift in warfare technology.

The sixth-generation fighter is expected to possess unprecedented stealth capabilities, advanced engines, and will likely include an arsenal of both kinetic and directed-energy weapons.

This fighter’s stealth is so advanced that it’s designed to be virtually undetectable to modern technology, which would present a formidable challenge to adversaries.

NGAD will not operate alone; they will be part of a network, teamed with uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

These ‘loyal wingmen’ will extend the reach and capabilities of the manned jets, taking on the riskier roles in combat situations, such as jamming enemy radars or acting as decoys.

The Air Force has earmarked an additional $8.8 billion to develop these drone wingmen, with ambitions to field as many as 1,000 of them.

However, despite the high-tech capabilities of these aircraft, there is an ongoing debate regarding the quantity being procured.

The Air Force anticipates acquiring 200 to 250 NGAD fighters, a number that some argue may leave the U.S. at a disadvantage when compared to its current fleet of F-16s and F-15s.

The challenge of balancing the demands for cutting-edge technology with the quantities needed for effective force projection is evident.

With each NGAD expected to cost “multiple hundreds of millions of dollars,” as Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicated, it’s clear why the numbers are limited.

The collective expenses for three or four NGADs could amount to a billion dollars.

Unlike the F-16, which the Air Force could afford to produce in large quantities, the NGAD is comparable to the B-2 or F-22 in terms of scale and significance, intended for critical deployment scenarios rather than widespread use.

Yet, the NGAD is expected to serve not just as an individual platform but as a force multiplier that enhances the effectiveness of the fleet it joins.

Relevant articles:
– The U.S. Air Force’s Next Big Problem: NGAD Fighter Shortage?, The National Interest
– The Air Force’s Secret New Fighter Jet Has Moved Out of the Shadows, Popular Mechanics
– US Air Force NGAD Fighter Program Goes into High Gear After 2024 Selection, NextBigFuture.com