US Air Force Secretary Hopes Sixth-Generation Fighter Will Not Exceed F-35 Costs
In a recent development that underscores the ongoing evolution of military aviation, the United States Air Force (USAF) Secretary, Frank Kendall, has expressed a desire for the price of the next-generation fighter jet, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, to remain below that of the F-35 Lightning II. Speaking at the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference organized by the Air Force Association (AFA), Kendall’s comments shed light on the USAF’s strategic priorities and cost considerations as it navigates the development of its sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
The NGAD program, which has been subject to numerous revisions and debates, is central to the USAF’s vision for maintaining air superiority in the future. Kendall’s remarks, reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine, indicate a significant shift in the program’s objectives. Rather than focusing solely on advanced performance capabilities, the NGAD is now envisioned as a more network-centric platform, with many of its high-end functions delegated to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) – unmanned systems designed to augment manned aircraft in combat scenarios.
The USAF’s push for cost reduction in the NGAD program signals a pragmatic approach to modernizing its aerial combat capabilities. According to Kendall, the NGAD must be more affordable than the F-35, which currently costs around $100 million per unit for the 2024 fiscal year. However, achieving this goal may necessitate compromises, such as reducing the aircraft’s range and payload capacity, or even downsizing from two engines to one. Such concessions could only be feasible if the USAF also develops the Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS), which would provide stealthy in-flight refueling capabilities.
Kendall’s emphasis on affordability is not without precedent. In June, he acknowledged the potential for trade-offs in NGAD fighter capabilities to bring down costs, given the anticipated high price tag of the next-generation aircraft. Public estimates place the unit cost of the sixth-generation fighter at $250 to $300 million, three times the cost of the F-35. The USAF is keenly aware of the financial constraints imposed by these figures, as well as the need to maintain a fleet size that balances cost and operational effectiveness. A fleet of approximately 200 aircraft, similar in scale to the F-22 Raptor, is seen as a cost-effective solution, provided the per-unit cost remains manageable.
The introduction of CCA into the NGAD concept represents a significant departure from traditional manned fighter jet doctrine. By offloading certain mission equipment and capabilities to these unmanned platforms, the USAF can explore a different operational concept that leverages the strengths of both manned and unmanned systems. The CCA’s target cost is estimated to be around $25 million per unit, a figure that must be carefully managed to avoid escalating the overall cost of the NGAD program.
Kendall’s remarks underscore the USAF’s determination to finalize the NGAD program’s details in a timely manner, as the service aims to incorporate the aircraft into the 2026 fiscal year budget. Any significant changes to the NGAD program, such as scrapping the existing project and restarting the process through the Pentagon’s Joint Requirements Oversight Committee, could delay the program for several months. This delay would likely prevent the program from being included in the 2026 budget without high-level intervention. Moreover, the program must eventually pass the scrutiny of Congress, which will have the final say on its funding and scope.
As the USAF continues to refine its requirements for the NGAD program, it is evident that the service is committed to balancing advanced capabilities with fiscal responsibility. The integration of CCA and the pursuit of a more affordable fighter jet reflect the evolving nature of aerial warfare and the USAF’s strategic adaptation to new challenges and fiscal realities. The ultimate success of the NGAD program will hinge on its ability to meet these competing demands while maintaining the USAF’s position as a global air power leader.
Views: 0