Even with the F-22 still considered the most dominant fighter the US Air Force has developed, the department is already looking towards its replacement, or lack thereof. The outgoing Air Force Secretary stated that the next-generation fighter program could rely on a “F-35 follow-on” that would simply manage unmanned combat air vehicles.
Speaking at a think tank event Monday, Secretary Frank Kendall shared that there might be value in continuing the sixth-generation program dubbed the Next Generation Air Dominance program. The program was placed on hold last July after ballooning costs justified a closer look at the usefulness of replacing the F-22 with new, even more capable aircraft.
The decision as to what to do with the NGAD has been punted to the incoming second Trump Administration, which will take power Monday at noon Eastern Time. However, analysis done by the Biden-run Department of Defense shows there are a few options.
One of these is to create a “follow-on” F-35 that would manage these unmanned wingmen.
The general consensus is that unmanned fighters, officially referred to as collaborative combat aircraft, would do exactly as that name implies: collaborate with traditional manned fighters. The idea is that instead of having a squadron of pilots flying their fighters into a mission, you have one, maybe two, commanding a half dozen or more CCAs.
A second theory could be a force multiplier, giving each pilot a “loyal wingman” that could serve as an extension of their own aircraft. Carrying the manned aircraft’s targeting pod, electronic warfare pod, or additional munitions to aid in the fight rather than be in the fight.
Kendall still sees the value of developing a new manned fighter; however, in an era of cutting costs, this might mean looking at newer technologies.
CCAs could cost the military fractions compared to new F-35 jets, and while CCAs wouldn’t at first be used as cannon fodder, other cheaper options could be developed for that purpose. Reducing the number of pilots needed in a squadron, cheaper jets, and keeping more lives away from danger seems like a win-win-win for the DoD.
Although I’m not sure how an AI-powered UAV will work as a co-star alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun III: Electric Boogaloo.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments