https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated June 23, 2022
Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program
According to the Air Force, the Next-Generation Air
Dominance (NGAD) program is intended to develop “a
portfolio of technologies enabling air superiority” (Figure
1). The Air Force intends for NGAD to replace the F-22
fighter jet beginning in 2030, possibly including a
combination of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with other
systems and sensors. NGAD began as a Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency project. Since 2015, Congress
has appropriated approximately $4.2 billion for NGAD.
Figure 1. Artist Rendition of NGAD
Source: https://www.airforcemag.com/article/piecing-together-the-
ngad-puzzle/
NGAD is a classified aircraft development program, but the
Air Force has released a few details. On September 15,
2020, then-U.S. Air Force acquisition executive Dr. Will
Roper announced that the Air Force had flown a full-scale
flight demonstrator as part of the NGAD program.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced on
June 1, 2022 that NGAD program technologies have
matured enough to allow the program to move to the
engineering, manufacture, and design phase of
development.
Is the Goal of NGAD a New Fighter?
While a stated aim of the NGAD program is to replace the
F-22 fighter jet, the aircraft that come out of the NGAD
program may or may not look like a traditional fighter. The
Air Force is developing technologies involved in NGAD to
provide air dominance. Part of the program’s goal is to
determine how to achieve that end, independent of
traditional U.S. military approaches to air dominance.
NGAD could take the form of a single aircraft and/or a
number of complementary systems—manned, unmanned,
optionally manned, cyber, electronic—forms that would not
resemble the traditional “fighter.”
For example, a larger aircraft the size of a B-21 may not
maneuver like a fighter. But that large an aircraft carrying a
directed energy weapon, with multiple engines making
substantial electrical power for that weapon, could ensure
that no enemy flies in a large amount of airspace. That
would achieve air dominance. There appears to be little
reason to assume that NGAD is going to yield a plane the
size that one person sits in, and that goes out and dogfights
kinetically, trying to outturn another plane—or that sensors
and weapons have to be on the same aircraft.
NGAD Development Efforts
The Air Force has said that NGAD exists to develop four
publicly acknowledged technologies.
Propulsion. Over the past few years, the Air Force has
invested substantially in variable cycle engines
through the Advanced Engine Technology program.
One objective for this program is to improve the
amount of electrical power generation while
improving cooling.
Uncrewed systems. Secretary Kendall has stated the
Air Force is developing uncrewed aircraft
complementing NGAD. While the Service has not
stated how it intends to use these uncrewed aircraft,
some analysts suggest these aircraft could collect
intelligence, provide electronic warfare capabilities, or
carry additional munitions.
Materials. The NGAD program seeks to examine new
composite materials and structures. FY2023 Air Force
budget materials state it seeks to “continue new low
cost design and manufacturing structural concepts for
attritable vehicles,” implying that these new materials
could be used for uncrewed aircraft.
Sensors. This development effort likely seeks to
develop an advanced radar, infrared sensors, and
improved electro-optical cameras.
What Companies Are Involved?
The Air Force has not mentioned specific NGAD
contractors. The defense press and large defense prime
contractors have hinted at their respective roles with the
NGAD program. Lockheed Martin’s Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), Jim Taiclet, and Northrop Grumman’s
CEO, Kathy Warden, have both highlighted their current
efforts during earnings calls. Lockheed Martin, in
particular, has highlighted its role in developing manned
and unmanned teaming as a significant effort within
NGAD. Textron also has demonstrated a capability to
quickly design and produce an aircraft with its Scorpion
trainer/light attack jet, and General Atomics has shown a
series of increasingly sophisticated designs with capacity
for low-rate serial production.
Budget and Unit Cost
The Air Force requested $1.66 billion on NGAD for
FY2023, and projects spending an additional $11.7 billion
between FY2024 and FY2027. This would represent a three
times increase in funding compared to what was
appropriated from FY2015 through FY2022 (see Figure 2).
Secretary Kendall stated at the House Armed Services
