Sixth-generation jet fighter

A sixth-generation jet fighter is a conceptualized class of fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters which are currently in service in the United States of America and in development in other countries. The United States Air Force and United States Navy are anticipated to field their first sixth-generation fighters in the 2025–30 time frame.

Design concepts
The under development Chinese Chengdu J-20, and the Russian Sukhoi PAK FA are now providing more advanced fighters to compete with current American fifth generation jet fighters.

Dubbed the "Next Generation Tactical Aircraft"/"Next Gen TACAIR", the USAF seeks a fighter with "enhanced capabilities in areas such as reach, persistence, survivability, net-centricity, situational awareness, human-system integration and weapons effects," a November 4, 2010 presolicitation notice states. “The future system will have to counter adversaries equipped with next generation advanced electronic attack, sophisticated integrated air defense systems, passive detection, integrated self-protection, directed energy weapons, and cyber attack capabilities. It must be able to operate in the anti-access/area-denial environment that will exist in the 2030–50 timeframe.”

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works division has revealed a conceptual next-generation fighter design that offers the first hints of an ambitious, long-term technology strategy for the new class of tactical aircraft that will emerge after 2030. The concept was published in a 2012 calendar, which was distributed to journalists. Lockheed Martin has called for greater speed, range, stealth and self-healing structures.

The equivalent in the United States Navy is the Next Generation Air Dominance program.

The Sixth Generation fighters are expected to use advanced engines such as Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology to allow longer ranges and higher performance.

USAF's General Mike Hostage has said that they have yet to decide on which features will define the sixth generation fighters.

In 2013 DARPA started a study to try to bridge the USAF and USN concepts.

Foreign development
On 26 August 2013, Russia revealed it would proceed with development of a sixth-generation jet fighter. They say the aircraft will most likely be pilotless. However, they would not skip completing development of fifth-generation fighter projects, like the Sukhoi T-50.

History
On October 10, 2012, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendal justified the need to start the program.