Uncertainty surrounding the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which could result in a new 6th-generation fighter for the US Air Force (USAF), will continue for some time to come.
In a statement on December 5, the USAF announced that the decision on the project will be left to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
“The Secretary of the Air Force will defer the Next Generation Air Dominance way ahead decision to the next administration, while the Department of the Air Force continues its analysis and executes the necessary actions to ensure decision space remains intact for the NGAD program,” the USAF said.
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The Air Force had planned to select the company that would supply the air superiority aircraft in 2024—Boeing and Lockheed Martin were considered contenders—but technological changes and rising costs prompted Secretary Frank Kendall to pause NGAD.
Since then, the program has been under review and even considered the possibility of being terminated.
The most likely scenario, however, would be a shift in priorities, with investments in collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), drones that would take on the riskiest missions while manned aircraft would manage operations.
With a different role, the 6th generation fighter could be developed at lower costs, on par with the F-35, which has a price tag of around $80 million.
The defeat of current President Joe Biden in the November election, however, has rendered the plans meaningless, as Kendall will likely be replaced by a Trump appointee in 2025.
