US F/A-XX and F-X 6th Gen Aircraft News Thread

[SlothmanAllen]

USAF NGAD is at $2.7 Billion in the FY25 budget proposal. Ramp up to a downselect should be soon based on funding patterns.

Speculation and Rumors here! I've been told Boeing did a more radical design and Lockheed did an evolutionary one. Since I don't trust Boeing with bolting something in place properly, I'd lean to Lockheed, but that would create a monopoly in the industrial base. I'd almost guess we'd see a split decision with 2/3 going to Lockheed for NGAD and they would call the Boeing Boondoggle something else like a Penetrating Counter Air or some such.

The USN decision for FA-XX complicates the industrial base decisions.

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I'd love to have seen what Northrop could have done with NGAD, but I believe they are still in the FA-XX competition?

Production is going to be tough if they are building F-35, NGAD, FA-XX, B-21, RQ-180 (?) or RQ-180 successor, V-280, CCA, OBSS and whatever else is cooking (F-15 and F-16 production still might be trucking along lol). late 2020's/early 2030's are going to be one of the biggest periods of Air Force / Navy air asset modernization since the Cold War.

 

[anzha]

I'd love to have seen what Northrop could have done with NGAD, but I believe they are still in the FA-XX competition?

They are. I'll be intrigued. I would minimally expect a split decision between USN and USAF awards.

Production is going to be tough if they are building F-35, NGAD, FA-XX, B-21, RQ-180 (?) or RQ-180 successor, V-280, CCA, OBSS and whatever else is cooking (F-15 and F-16 production still might be trucking along lol). late 2020's/early 2030's are going to be one of the biggest periods of Air Force / Navy air asset modernization since the Cold War.

This is what happens when you kick cans down the road. Kick too many and things are going to piled into a stinking heap.

Industry policy is going to be really important. It's been neglected for far, far too long in the US MIC. Ok, well, the entire US economy.