NGAD Archives

An XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle launches at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2020. The flight successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua King)

Air Force considering wide range of options to team robotic wingmen with other platforms

The Air Force plans to develop “collaborative combat aircraft” in the coming years and link them with crewed systems.

Aug 29, 2022 By Jon Harper

An Air Force Research Lab conceptual design for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (Artwork courtesy of AFRL)

Air Force still fleshing out acquisition strategy for NGAD robotic wingmen

Plans for the highly classified Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative include a new manned stealth fighter that would team with new autonomous drones or “collaborative combat aircraft."

Jun 24, 2022 By Jon Harper

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, asks a question during a visit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham)

HASC chairman worried about making big bets on Air Force’s next-gen fighter

The NGAD fighter is projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars per plane to procure.

Jun 15, 2022 By Jon Harper

Air Force sees 2 business models for integrating robotic wingmen into combat formations

The Air Force plans to acquire interoperable robotic wingmen that it can “mix and match” with a variety of manned aircraft.

Jun 3, 2022 By Jon Harper

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall makes remarks during the Senior Leader Orientation Course at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 11, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Air Force’s next-gen fighter program transitions to critical development phase

The secretive NGAD program has reached a key milestone in the acquisition process, the secretary of the Air Force said.

Jun 1, 2022 By Jon Harper