Next Generation Air Dominance



Next Generation Air Dominance is a development and acquisition program for a future sixth generation air superiority fighter to replace the US Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the US Air Force's F-22 Raptor beginning in 2025. It is planned to incorporate sixth generation stealth capability. The aircraft is to be operated with or without a pilot, depending on the role. The new fighter is to perform ground attack, air superiority, and reconnaissance roles. Only Boeing is known to have interest in the program, although Northrop Grumman is known to be developing a carrier-based aircraft known as the X-47B. A 1/16 scale model shown at the Navy League Sea Air Space Exposition 2010 shows a 'Flying wing' design with no vertical tails and twin engines.

The US Navy requirement was originally announced in 2008, as a required replacement for the F/A-18E/F. At the time, the requirement appeared to be focused on strike roles, with a mix of manned and unmanned options on the table. Since then, the emphasis appears to have shifted to supplying a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. In late 2011, the Navy plans to analyze alternatives for the NGAD program with a technology demonstration phase beginning in 2013. One of the alternatives being considered is the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which would double the Navy's purchase of that aircraft.

In April 2012, the Navy issued a formal request for information for the F/A-XX. Boeing responded by updating their proposal in 2013.

The F/A-XX is being pursued as F/A-18 Super Hornets will reach the end of their 9,000 hours of service life by the early 2030s. Aside from the option of buying more F-35Cs, the F/A-XX is seeking to create a new aircraft to replace the Super Hornet's capability and mission set. An open architecture design is desired, so different sensors, payloads, and weapons can be plugged in that for a specific mission, and be able to be moved around for multiple different missions on different days or different sorties. Building everything into one plane can become expensive. The resulting open architecture design is likely to take shape depending on which style of new propulsion system is presented by the aircraft industry. Unmanned, manned, and optionally manned systems are being considered. An Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) is expected to begin in 2014, with a fighter to be introduced around 2030. Just as the F-35C will replace aging F/A-18 Hornets and complement Super Hornets, the F/A-XX will replace aging Super Hornets in the 2030s and complement the F-35C.