The Other Fighter…

For every failed effort at the next F-15 there needs to be a failed effort at the next F-14…

The F/A-XX program is intended to develop a carrier-based sixth-generation fighter that can conduct the same missions as the Super Hornet but that also enjoys supercruise, stealth characteristics and that can operate as the communications hub of a system of manned and unmanned systems.

The F/A-XX is a conceptual cousin of the NGAD program, but the projects have been kept at arm’s length, probably because of concerns over a replay of the F-35 program. Although the F-35 program eventually produced variants for the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marine Corps, the pursuit of commonality resulted in much confusion and not much cost savings.

Like the NGAD, the F/A-XX is expected to pair with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle that will carry weapons, fuel, and sensors to support a broad, networked operation. Also, like the NGAD, the F/A-XX program is supposed to pursue an “open architecture” approach, allowing the integration of future technologies and alternative mission sets over the aircraft’s lifetime.

But now the Navy is hesitating to invest development funds in the F/A-XX. Beset by a bewildering array of priorities and concerned about recent, massive procurement failures, the Navy quietly cut back on F/A-XX investment in its latest budget request.

Other links…

• The British are working on their own sixth gen fighter.
• On writing in the national security sphere…
• Kamala’s foreign policy is likely to look a lot like Biden’s, at least at the beginning…
• …but maybe less so on Israel-Gaza?
• H-6 bombers off Alaska!
• On Evan Gershkovich’s trial.