Air Force reconsiders NGAD as costs and strategic priorities shift​

The US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter jet, faces an uncertain future as incoming service leaders reassess its viability amidst escalating costs and evolving strategic priorities, as reported by Defense One.

The Air Force paused the NGAD program last summer after cost projections estimated the new fighter would be three times the price of an F-35. This prompted an internal review to explore alternative options. In January, then-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledged the value of a crewed sixth-generation jet but emphasized the need to prioritize funding for other initiatives.

At the AFA Warfare Symposium in Colorado, Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, director of Air Force force design, integration, and wargaming, stated that the study explored various alternatives but found no more viable option than NGAD for achieving air superiority in highly contested environments. Despite this, discussions continue regarding the program's future, with officials remaining open to new solutions.

China's development of its own sixth-generation aircraft underscores the urgency for the US to advance its capabilities. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, emphasized that inaction is not an option as adversaries enhance their air superiority platforms.

Budget constraints add another layer of complexity. The Pentagon is adjusting its budget to accommodate new priorities, leading to an 8 percent funding shift under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Kunkel cautioned that while fiscal limitations exist, necessary investments are crucial to mitigate operational risks and ensure the effectiveness of policymakers' decisions.