The US Air Force has paused its effort to develop a new manned stealth fighter. The US Navy, by contrast, is going full steam ahead with its own new manned stealth fighter.
The result, it seems, will be a split in American air power as the Air Force and Navy – which currently use versions of the same warplane – pursue different air-power objectives. The Air Force has suspended its next-gen manned fighter programme while it considers a bigger investment in armed fighter drones. The Navy for its part has decided drones aren’t ready to do what its next fighter needs to do.
The Navy expects to pick one of three contractors – either Boeing, Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman – to develop and build its new F/A-XX stealth fighter, and soon. The fighter would replace today’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet on aircraft carrier decks starting in the 2030s.
The F/A-XX is likely to be big and fast, with a large weapons payload and enough internal fuel to range 500 miles or more across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It should be stealthy, with a small radar and infrared signature, and would be equipped to operate as a team with nearby drones. If the Air Force does decide against such a jet, the F/A-XX is likely to be the world’s first sixth-generation fighter.
The US Air Force has paused its effort to develop a new manned stealth fighter. The US Navy, by contrast, is going full steam ahead with its own new manned stealth fighter.
The result, it seems, will be a split in American air power as the Air Force and Navy – which currently use versions of the same warplane – pursue different air-power objectives. The Air Force has suspended its next-gen manned fighter programme while it considers a bigger investment in armed fighter drones. The Navy for its part has decided drones aren’t ready to do what its next fighter needs to do.
The Navy expects to pick one of three contractors – either Boeing, Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman – to develop and build its new F/A-XX stealth fighter, and soon. The fighter would replace today’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet on aircraft carrier decks starting in the 2030s.
The F/A-XX is likely to be big and fast, with a large weapons payload and enough internal fuel to range 500 miles or more across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It should be stealthy, with a small radar and infrared signature, and would be equipped to operate as a team with nearby drones. If the Air Force does decide against such a jet, the F/A-XX is likely to be the world’s first sixth-generation fighter.