US Air Force rescopes and delays NGAD programme

A Lockheed Martin NGAD concept image, initially published in 2020. The attributes the USAF now desires of NGAD are unclear. (Lockheed Martin)

The US Air Force (USAF) is rescoping the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme and delaying a contract award that had been anticipated in late 2024. No revised timeline for the contract has been released.

“We are pausing source selection of the Next Generation Air Dominance platform as we reconsider the design based on changing threats and affordability,” the USAF told Janes on 1 August. “Following concept definition, the air force is planning to develop and procure an NGAD platform.”

NGAD is intended to be the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet, entering service around 2023 to replace the F-22 as the USAF's front-line fighter. Although little has been released about the aircraft's desired performance, the USAF was widely expected to require longer range than current fighters, exquisite stealth characteristics, and state-of-the-art electronic sensing and warfare capabilities. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall had publicly described the service's desired NGAD as costing “multiples” of the F-35's roughly USD80 million price.

The USAF released an engineering, manufacturing, and development solicitation in May 2023. Boeing and Lockheed Martin, both of which have publicly discussed NGAD designs, were widely considered frontrunners for the contract following Northrop Grumman's declaration that it would not bid for the contract.

For more information, please seeUS Air Force announces Next-Generation Air Dominance engineering and manufacturing solicitation .