After the recent news regarding the suspension of the USAF’s NGAD program, due to various concerns over its high costs and the subsequent project reforms, the United States Navy (US Navy) reaffirms its intentions to move forward with the selection of its future sixth-generation fighter, with an eye on the coming decade. This was confirmed by high-ranking naval authorities this Wednesday, who must choose one of the three current candidates: designs from Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, expressed this position to local media during an event organized by the Defense Writers Group: “We expect the sixth-generation platform to have advanced sensors, advanced lethality, advanced range, and be able to integrate with manned and unmanned capabilities. That is one of the things that, as we learn from the Air Force and the work they are doing, we must integrate with what we know we need to be able to do… We have three companies that have submitted proposals for this, and we are currently in the supplier selection phase.”
It should be recalled that the US Navy’s project, known for the time being as F/A-XX, is intended to be the future replacement for the multi-role F/A-18 Super Hornet and E/A-18 Growler fighters, with the aim of surpassing them in electronic warfare and range capabilities. However, it must be considered that, like the USAF, the US Navy also faces budget cuts that limit its flexibility. According to specialized media Air and Space Forces, the Navy had to redirect approximately one billion dollars originally allocated for the future fighter, betting on covering short-term expenses.
Returning to the initial mention, it should be said that the suspension of the USAF’s NGAD program was reported in mid-last month, with the announced goal being to reduce the aircraft’s costs to match those of the current F-35. Originally, it had been planned as a direct replacement for the F-22 Raptor fighters, the most capable aircraft in the U.S. inventory and also one of the most expensive to operate. It is illustrative to consider in this regard that under such conditions, each unit would range between 200 and 300 million dollars, with the new goal being to bring it to an estimated 80 to 100 million.
It is also worth mentioning that this sparked strong doubts regarding the characteristics of the new plane, with fears of a reduction in its attack capabilities, the feasibility of producing manned versions, and the number of engines powering it, which would imply reduced range and speed. As previously reported, the USAF’s decision on this matter should be known within the next three months.
For the time being, when questioned by journalists attending the aforementioned event, Admiral Franchetti emphasized the importance of both forces seeking greater coordination between their programs, stating that “air platforms are also one of the strategic advantages we have as services.” However, she clarified that regardless of the USAF’s decision, the Navy will not lose sight of its plans to advance the future F/A-XX.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: The U.S. Navy received the second-to-last of its troubled Freedom-class littoral combat ships
