A 7th-gen fighter? BAE has thoughts on what that could look like.
“We need to lose the generational name because aircraft are going to be evolving all the time," said BAE Systems’ combat air strategy director Mike Baulkwill.
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General Atomics Aeronautical’s Gambit Series lets U.S. forces move fast and move first
These new aircraft represent the cusp of a new generation in air combat and airpower that is significant to the 21st century.
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Voyager is accelerating access to space
After manifesting 1,400 payloads aboard the ISS, Voyager is applying its mission management expertise to the next generation of space stations, ensuring uninterrupted mission readiness and success from the ground to space.
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A next-gen digital backbone will give U.S. platforms a one-versus-many advantage against near-peers
While the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) defined “open systems” at a high-level, each branch of the U.S. military is determining what that means for them. Collins Aerospace Mosarc™ solutions can address that across next-gen systems like NGAD, FVL, and KC-X.
China ‘on track’ for 6th-gen fighter, US Air Force needs to get there first: ACC chief
America's Chinese "frenemies" are "not having a debate over the relevance of six-gen air dominance. And I can also tell you they're on track," said Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly.
Divide and conquer: Air Force’s next-gen fighter to get unique software system
“We can actually then change the mission systems and allow various vendors to compete, as long as they meet, form fit and function,” Air Force Gen. CQ Brown said. “And because it drives competition, you get a better end product, and ideally, it brings the price down as well.”
Roper Unveils PEO For Next Gen Digital Planes; Critics Grumble
The new Advanced Aircraft PEO will "transform the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program into the Air Force’s Digital Century Series initiative."
The state of play in military space
The military space sector is evolving fast. Get the latest from Space Force and industry officials on what’s next for acquisition, policy and training in a new Breaking Defense eBook.
With FCAS, French Air Force’s Renaissance Begins
France's Air Force imagines new and improved concepts of operations will flow from the Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS).
America’s Air Superiority Crisis
The Air Force already has a big hole in its capabilities for the future: it needs what it is calling Penetrating Counter Air, a very fast, long-range, sensor-loaded and furiously lethal aircraft. But that effort is designed to fill a need in 2030. Dave Deptula, head of the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute and […]
Airmen First, Weapons Second: SecAF James
AFA: For the foreseeable future, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told me today, when push comes to shove, personnel funding should win and modernization must wait. “If you’re asking me if I have to choose between the two, then I vote for people,” she said. “I’m going to protect people.” Of course, the Air […]
Zap. Marines Like Lasers For F-35B
WASHINGTON: Lasers. On the F-35B. Ok, there’s no money, And no timetable. But the head of Marine requirements, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, told reporters he could “absolutely” see the Joint Strike Fighter armed with lasers. This is consistent with plans we’ve heard from Northrop Grumman for the notional sixth-generation fighter and with the heavy push […]
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Turning R&D into reality to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield
Knowing when to build on commercial systems and when to develop something new can be the difference between parity and information dominance.
SecAF James Is Cool To F-22 Restart
PENTAGON: Restarting the F-22 line would probably be “cost-prohibitive,” says Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. The idea for restarting the F-22 line was pushed hard by Rep. Randy Forbes, the outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee. Forbes was defeated by Scott Taylor, a relatively unknown challenger, a Virginia state delegate who […]
‘Flying Coke Machine’ Would Replace A-10, If We Had $: Air Force Chief Welsh
WASHINGTON: The Air Force wants to replace the aging but beloved A-10 “Warthog” with a robotic “flying coke machine” that loiters over the battlefield, dispensing firepower at the touch of a button, the outgoing Chief of Staff said this morning. (More on that concept below). Gen. Mark Welsh also wants a “sixth-generation fighter” that can […]
McCain Lays Down Law On F-35 Bulk Buy; Kendall Says It Works
CORRECTS: State of Sen. Angus King To Maine. CAPITOL HILL: Sen. John McCain does not want the Pentagon to put together a so-called bulk buy of F-35s, decrying the program’s repeated failures over the last 15 years. McCain, citing his status as taxpayer watchdog, said during today’s Senate Armed Service Committee’s hearing on the F-35 that […]
SecAF Unveils B-21 Bomber; Replies To McCain’s Contract Threat
AFA WINTER: The name is not nearly as euphonious as the B-3, nor as descriptive as Long Range Strike Bomber, but Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has officially named Northrop Grumman’s aircraft the B-21 (hint — it’s the 21st century…). James, who rumors said would unveil some details about the bomber, only unveiled the […]