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

kyuryu

Junior Member
Given the extremely short development timeframe (1-2 years from initial digital design to flying prototype) it's probably reasonable to assume that the 6th Gen prototype has re-used much of the internals (AESA, DAS, EODS and electronic warfare systems, sensor fusion etc.) developed for the F-35, and build upon this by further reducing the IR and airframe radar signature, likely adding two engines (Pratt & Whitney F135?) for greater speed and supercruise ability as well as adding 2D or 3D nozzles optimised enhanced A2A combat.

As such, it doesn't need to be a massive leap forward in what is already pretty impressive sensor fused tech in the F-35 and to a lesser extent the F-22, but it does need to be kinematically competitive (+F-22), be able to be produced quickly and affordable to be made in sufficient numbers to make a tangible difference in the balance of power.

For me, the real innovation is the impressively short concept/design to prototype timeline where the real competitive advantage lies. Better to rapidly innovate and pivot with incremental upgrades that quickly and tangibly enhance capability rather than the design philosophy/assumptions that underpinned the F-22 (the late-1980s) and F-35 (early C21's)
 

voyager1

Captain
Registered Member
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, who leads the chief of naval operation’s air warfare directorate (OPNAV N98), said Tuesday that the aircraft following the Super Hornets will “most likely be manned,” but that the Next Generation Air Dominance program will include a mix of both manned and unmanned platforms.

“As we look at it right now, the Next-Gen Air Dominance is a family of systems, which has as its centerpiece the F/A-XX – which may or may not be manned – platform. It’s the fixed-wing portion of the Next-Gen Air Dominance family of systems,” Harris told attendees at a Navy League breakfast.

But we truly see NGAD as more than just a single aircraft. We believe that as manned-unmanned teaming comes online, we will integrate those aspects of manned and unmanned teaming into that,” he continued. “Whether that – we euphemistically refer to it as our little buddy – is an adjunct air-to-air platform, an adjunct [electronic warfare] platform, discussion of could it be an adjunct advanced early warning platform. We’ll have to replace the E-2D [Advanced Hawkeye] at some point in the future, so as we look to what replaces that.”

The Navy has been inching toward a family of systems approach for NGAD over the last several years. USNI News previously reported the service was leaning toward a manned fighter aircraft as part of the NGAD family of systems. The Navy last year quietly stood up its NGAD program office.
Some very interesting (new?) details on the US Navy NGDA program.

From my non-expert view it seems they want the F/A-XX (part of NGAD) to be the center piece of the NGAD, and then want air-to-air, EW, AEW platforms (probably all unmanned) alongside it.

So I guess the F/A-XX would be more of a "commanding" aircraft so that it can instruct its unmanned helping platforms on what to do?

So the unmanned platforms project is basically something similar to the unmanned loyal wingman project that Australia has now with Boeing?

Any opinions?
 
Last edited:

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Some very interesting (new?) details on the US Navy NGDA program.

From my non-expert view it seems they want the F/A-XX (part of NGAD) to be the center piece of the NGAD, and then want air-to-air, EW, AEW platforms (probably all unmanned) alongside it.

So I guess the F/A-XX would be more of a "commanding" aircraft so that it can instruct its unmanned helping platforms on what to do?

So the unmanned platfirms are basically something similar to the unmanned loyal wingman project that Australia has now with Boeing?

Any opinions?

Until an attribute becomes the definitive definition of the sixth generation (like stealth did for the F-22) I’d say let’s just wait and see.
 

anzha

Senior Member
Registered Member
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

As stated before, much longer range and much deeper magazine than F-22. Sounds far more stealthy.

There is a reference architecture (rather than requirements) that the contractors are building to.

There is also a demonstrator flying. What that means - prototype or something like the avionics demonstrators - idk.
 

anzha

Senior Member
Registered Member
The US Navy is classifying its NGAD budget going forward. The FA-XX is the center piece of their NGAD program.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Classifying the budget has worked so well, squiddies! Just check how well the A-12 Avenger II is doing.
 

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Is the air force developing a different aircraft than the navy? Looks like they have separate budgets so I assume yes.
 
Top