Render of the Next-Generation Air
Dominance (NGAD), it is officially designated as the F-47, the first sixth
generation fighter jet of the United States Air Force (USAF).
What
exactly is a sixth-generation fighter jet?
No!
A platform “stealthier than a fifth generation one” is not the answer. Well,
let’s admit that there is no clear definition of it, and aviation experts,
eminent analysts, and erudite academics are divided among themselves on the
paradigm of the necessary qualities. In fact, the bigger debate is what exactly
differentiates a “sixth generation” one from a “fifth generation” one. Yet,
whenever such a question arises, many mistake the viability of a platform through
the lenses of only stealth. But stealth is one of the qualities of a platform
that makes it battle worthy. There are many other aspects as well that are
equally important. The “fifth generation” or the “sixth generation” does not
limit itself only to the platform. It is a combat environment that determines
the outcome of the battlefield. Based on the necessities, researchers have
identified some key qualities that will be determining factors in the era of
multi-domain collaborative combat situations. Many of these have already been
explored widely for the existing fifth generation platforms and are being
improved further for the sixth generation one.
Some
of the aspects are: multi-spectral stealth and low observable signature
management, more friendly cockpit with pilot-platform interface, integration of
A.I. for better control, improved avionics with seamless data transfer and
information display, new generation active and passive sensors, viability in a
network denied environment, advanced defensive suit, improved pilot
survivability, optionally manned operation, manned-unmanned teaming, all
electronic architecture for efficient interaction, integration of new armaments
like DEW, and highly efficient propulsion system with fuel efficiency, cooling
management, and seamless power supply to the onboard electronics as well to
charge the new generation armaments. Currently, there are only three countries
known to be close to a successful sixth generation project. While exploring the
projects, we will know more about the qualities of the platforms.
NGAD
On
21 March 2025, the President of the US, Donald Trump, announced the award of
the contract to Boeing for the development of the Next-Generation Air Dominance
(NGAD). Officially designated as the F-47, the first sixth generation fighter
jet of the United States Air Force (USAF) is expected to be materialised by the
end of this decade with a planned induction of 185 such platforms. Trump also
stressed that an experimental version of the same has existed for the last five
years. But the NGAD, as a project, dates back to 2015, when the Defence
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched the “Aerospace Innovation
Initiative” (AII) to develop and fly two X-plane technology demonstrators.
Following the AII, the USAF initiated “Air Superiority 2030” in the next year.
The AS2030 eventually introduced the concept of the Penetrating Counter-Air
(PCA) system. Initially, 414 PCA were planned with an estimated cost of $130
billion. But the unrealistic timeframe and gigantic cost forced the programme
to change course, and in 2019 it came to its current shape. In 2020, a
demonstrator platform was made to the sky in utmost secrecy.
According
to the US Congressional Research Service, the budget for the NGAD from 2019 to
2025 stands at $9 billion. Between 2025 and 2029, an estimated amount of $19.6
billion will be invested in research, development, testing and evaluation for
the NGAD alone, along with $8.9 billion for the uncrewed Collaborative Combat
Aircraft (CCA), which will work as the loyal wingman in the battlefield. Thus
the overall investment for the entire programme minus production cost stands at
$37.5 billion.
The
F-47 will use an adaptive-cycle engine (ACE). Such platforms adjust bypass
ratio and fan pressure to boost fuel efficiency and ensure efficiency across
different flight conditions. For that purpose, the Next Generation Adaptive
Propulsion (NGAP) programme has been initiated. This is not exactly a new
concept. Back in the 1980s, General Electric (GE) developed the YF120 to power
the then Advanced Tactical Fighter. However, the USAF selected the much simpler
F119 from Pratt & Whitney (P&W) for the F-22. The project was revived
in 2006 as Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT), followed by the
Adaptive Engine Technology Demonstrator (AETD) programme, and finally, in 2016,
it evolved into the Adaptive Engine Transition Programme (AETP).
USAF’s proposed NGAD F-47
At
that time it was aimed at the modernisation of the F-35. But later it further
yielded as the NGAP for the NGAD fighter. Initially, a sum of around $4.9
billion was allocated, split equally across five companies: GE, P&W,
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. But only GE and P&W reached
the final stage as eligible contenders. In 2025, these two companies received
contracts of $3.5 billion each for future work with a deadline of 2032. While
the GE is offering the XA102, the P&W has pitched its XA103 as the
alternative. According to the available information, both are three-stream ACE
platforms where the third bypass stream allows both cooling and additional
power generation where required. Improved metallurgy with additive technology
will be implemented for the successful development of the engines. The use of
ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) will allow to reduce weight, increase
durability, and enhance resistance to extremely high temperatures. The maximum
thrust output is expected to be as high as 200 kN!
While
the NGAD is a ten year old programme, not much is known clearly about the
contenders. Though for some time, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
were in the race, Northrop later withdrew to focus more on the B-21 Raider, the
first sixth generation strategic bomber. Meanwhile, Anduril and General Atomics
are awarded to create detailed designs, manufacture, and conduct flight tests
of the CCA. Finally, Boeing was awarded the NGAD contract in 2025 and, as has
been said earlier, officially designated as the F-47. Quite interestingly, it’s
being developed as an air superiority platform like the F-22, with an expected
extremely high combat radius (more than 1800 km).
GCAP
In
2015, the UK initiated the programme “Tempest” with the aim of replacing the
existing fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon by 2035 with a stealth combat platform.
In its nascent stage, the project was led by BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo
and MBDA. In 2018, the British Ministry of Defence unveiled the Future Combat
Air System (FCAS) (not to be confused with the Système de Combat Aérien du
Futur, or SCAF, a Franco-German-Spanish initiative for another sixth generation
fighter jet) programme, aiming for a manned-unmanned collaboration to thwart
future threats. The Tempest will be the core of the system, which, in accordance
with remotely operated platforms, will preserve the strategic capabilities of
the UK. While the project started solely to serve the British interests,
gradually new members started joining the programme. Italy announced its
involvement in 2019 and so did Japan in 2022. In the same year, the joint
fighter jet programme was renamed as “Global Combat Air Programme” (GCAP). The
UK spent over £2.6 billion (a little less than $3.5 billion) from 2018 to 2023.
In December 2024, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft
Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC) signed an agreement to form a new
company, GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO). The three partners
each hold a 33.3% shareholding in the new joint venture. The total investment
is estimated at around €40 billion (around $45 billion), with each partner
investing one-third of the expenditure. On 20 June, BAE Systems, Leonardo and
JAIEC established a new joint venture, “Edgewing,” as the design authority and
to lead the delivery of the GCAP.
RAF Tempest/GCAP stealth fighter mock-up offers glimpse into
the future of air combat.
Japan
joined the programme, aiming to leverage cutting edge technology and reduce the
cost of their own F-X project. While Mitsubishi developed a technology
demonstrator, “X-2 Shinshin,” in 2019 Japan signed an agreement with the UK to
conduct a joint study on the feasibility of co-developing a new fighter jet.
This eventually led to the inclusion of Japan in the programme. Japan is
considering the “F3 Reppu” as the official designation, which draws inspiration
from the World War Two era naval fighter of the same name of the Imperial
Japanese Navy. It was developed by Mitsubishi as a successor to the naval
platform “Zero.” However, that project ended with the conclusion of the World
War.
The
GCAP programme focuses on six key technologies. One: Intelligent Weapon
System—in an effort to maximise the performance of the offensive system,
artificial intelligence and machine learning will be integrated. Two: Advanced
Digital Cockpit—pilots will be able to control it with gestures. The vital
information will be fed to the pilot through augmented and virtual reality systems.
Three: Next Generation Radar: the aim is to develop something that will make
currently existing technology obsolete. It will be able to resist even EM
(electromagnetic) countermeasures. Four: Efficient Power—the electrical starter
generator will enable the management of space crucial to maintaining the
stealth yet provide the high performance. Five: open systems architecture
(PYRAMID) to facilitate rapid software upgrades to maintain the viability of
the platform in the future. Six: New generation integrated systems to provide
seamless data sharing. While many of the necessary technologies already have
been put into primary testing, work is going on for the development of ISNAKE
(Integrated Sensing And Non-Kinetic Effects) and ICS (Integrated Communication
System). To test the technologies, a Boeing 757, nicknamed “Excalibur,” has
been converted to the FTA (Flight Test Aircraft). It has conducted the first
phase of flight testing.
Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
A
new generation engine is being developed jointly by Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero and
IHI Corporation. Back in 2013, RR developed the E2SG (Embedded Electrical
Starter Generator) demonstrator programme for the future requirements. The aim
is to provide a power pack solution for a stealth platform without compromising
the requirements of a large amount of electrical power. The future engine will
have a propulsion system with increased electrification for efficient fuel
efficiency, enhanced power output with an intelligent thermal management
system, smart power distribution and automatic diagnosis of a problem.
A
recently released photo shows the demonstrator platform is under fabrication at
the production line at Warton, Lancashire, UK. It’s scheduled to make the first
flight in 2027 and to be service ready by 2035. At least 300 platforms are to
be inducted by the three primary partners, and there is also a plan for export
to friendly nations.
China’s
sixth-generation programme
While
the US has become the first country to officially designate the future sixth generation
fighter platform and the UK has progressed much in its programme, China became
the first country to show what a sixth generation fighter jet does look like!
On 26 December of 2024, the world was shocked by the public observation of not
one, but two different next generation fighter jets from China! While these
have no official designation, they have been popularised as J-36 and J-50.
Amidst the lack of any official information, aviation analysts have provided
their own input about the possible characteristics of these platforms, relying
solely upon a few photos and videos that came out of China.
The
J-36 is a trijet tailless diamond-double-delta-winged aircraft being developed
by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). The platform is apparently larger
than not just the F-22 or J-20, but even the Su-30 series! It features three
open ventral weapon bays. The exact dimensions are not known, but the analyses
by experts are quite interesting. The central bay is the largest, which allows
multiple air-to-ground munitions, including two air launched ballistic missiles
or eight long range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM). The two other bays can be
used for an additional four to six BVRAAM. However, it is not known if the
platform features rotary launchers.
China’s J-36
The
J-36 is considered to be a heavy multi-role platform optimised for both air
superiority and deep strike inside adversary territory. The platform features a
side-by-side seating arrangement with two heads-up displays (HUD) for two
pilots. Interestingly, it features a dorsal DSI (divertless supersonic intake
or DSI) along with two ventral trapezoidal caret inlets. However, according to
some, the dorsal air intake is actually a cooling vent for an auxiliary power
unit, and eventually, DSI will be featured. Interestingly, it is powered by
three engines! It is not known if the unique arrangement is necessary in the
absence of a credible Chinese turbofan engine for the best results, which
eventually will be replaced by twin engines once available, or if it will be
continued with even more powerful engines in the same numbers in the future as
well.
The
J-50 is developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) as a next generation
multi-role platform. In comparison to the J-36, it is smaller in appearance.
The tailless swept lambda wing platform is powered by two engines. It features
two V-shaped air intakes. According to experts, instead of DSI, it instead
features BLS (boundary layer suction), which allows reduced drag, better
performance at high angles of attack, and more efficient fuel management. It
has a single weapon bay. Like the J-36, the J-50 also features thrust vector
control (TVC). The TVC will enhance the agility and maneuverability of the
fighter platform with more efficient directional control.
China’s J-50
According
to the Chinese aviation publications, for the optimised high performance in the
future, integrated collaborative air frame design has been worked on. Four major
aspects have been emphasised during the design of the platforms: flight
control, flight performance, stealth characteristics, and optimised power
distribution. The integrated structure will allow the reduction of the radar
and thermal signature, and the unified all-electric architecture will enable a
robust power distribution, optimising the overall performance.
There
are three more projects that are working on a sixth generation platform (we
have already mentioned the SCAF, the F/A-XX of the US Navy, which is in limbo,
and the F-55, a vaguely proposed twin-engine design based on the F-35). But not
much is known about these. Meanwhile, the three discussed projects are likely
to fructify by the end of this decade. Without any debate, it can be said
safely that once again the air combat is going to be revolutionised. The
emerging technologies will find a place within the existing platforms as well,
enhancing their own viability. The future combat environment will judge the
preparedness, and unworthy contenders will find themselves as good as blind in
the lack of necessary developments in the battlefield. We can hope India is
witnessing, learning and adopting for its own AMCA.
Sankalan Chattopadhyay (Twitter/X: @vinoddx9)
All photos: Wikipedia and
Twitter/X