F/A-XX program

Last updated

F/A-XX
General information
Project for Multirole fighter
Issued byUnited States Navy
History
InitiatedApril 2012 (RFI)
Related Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP), Next Generation Air Dominance (Air Force)

F/A-XX is a development and acquisition program for a future sixth-generation air superiority fighter to replace the United States Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and complement the F-35C beginning in the 2030s. [1] A requirement was first identified in June 2008. [2]

Contents

The F/A-XX is expected to be the manned fighter component and centerpiece of the Navy's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. Although identically named and sharing some technology developments, this program is distinct from the U.S. Air Force's NGAD sixth-generation fighter program. [3] [N 1]

Requirements

Air superiority fighter with multi-role capabilities

An early rendering of a proposed Boeing F/A-XX design FaxxNavy.jpg
An early rendering of a proposed Boeing F/A-XX design

In April 2012, the Navy issued a formal request for information for the F/A-XX. It calls for an air superiority fighter with multi-role capabilities to initially complement and eventually supersede the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft in the 2030s, while complementing the F-35C Lightning II and UCLASS unmanned aircraft, that can operate in anti-access/area denial environments. Primary missions include air combat, air to air, ground attack, surface warfare, and close air support. Platform requirements include supercruise capabilities as well as advanced next-generation stealth features, sensors and radars with networking adaptability. Additional missions and capabilities include air-to-air refueling, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), and electronic warfare and countermeasures thereof. Manned, unmanned, and optionally-manned operations for a highly adaptive platform will be part of the new system. [4] The F/A-XX is being pursued as F/A-18 Super Hornets will reach the end of their 9,000 hours of service life by the early 2030s. Aside from the option of buying more F-35Cs, the F/A-XX is seeking to create a new aircraft to replace the Super Hornet's capability and mission set. Just as the F-35C replaced aging F/A-18 Hornets and complements Super Hornets, the F/A-XX will replace aging Super Hornets in the 2030s and complement the F-35C. [5]

Maximum connectivity and sensors

Although the F/A-XX platform will be a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, the Navy is reluctant to talk about a new aircraft because the project is still in the very early stages of development. A range of next-generation technologies may be explored including maximum sensor connectivity, and electronically configured "smart skins". Maximum connectivity refers to massively increased communications and sensor technology, such as having the ability to connect with satellites, other aircraft, and anything providing real-time battlefield information. Smart skins would have sensors and electronics integrated into the fuselage of the aircraft itself to increase sensor performance while reducing drag and increasing speed and maneuverability. [6]

Open architecture

An open architecture design is desired, allowing for different sensors, payloads, and weapons to be used to meet specific mission requirements and be able to be moved around for multiple different missions on different days or different sorties. The resulting open architecture design is likely to take shape depending on which style of new propulsion system is presented by the aircraft industry.

Propulsion

The Navy is working with the U.S. Air Force on a next-generation tactical fighter with super cruise ability. There is significant disagreement over the Air Force's claims that adaptive-cycle jet engine technology, where the ratios of bypass and compression airflow can be made variable to improve efficiency, can benefit a carrier-based fighter. [7] [8]

New spectrum of weapons

Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert speculated in February 2015 that the F/A-XX would not rely primarily on speed or stealth as much as previous-generation jet fighters due to better signature detection and proliferating high-speed anti-aircraft weapons. Instead, in addition to its protective features provided by its stealth features, technologies, maneuverability and speed, the fighter is to carry a wide array of new spectrum of advanced weaponry to overwhelm or suppress enemy air defenses and ensure survivability and superiority. One approach could create a minimum cost F/A-XX that uses high-cost, high-performance weapons to defeat threats; according to the Navy's Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) battle network concept, an individual platform would not need to have a full suite of sensors and rely on off-board data-linked information from other platforms to provide targeting information and guide weapons launched from the platform. The F/A-XX platforms will be made to carry missiles, have power and cooling systems for directed-energy weapons, and have sensors that can target small radar cross-section targets; cyber warfare platforms at a tactical level as part of a family of systems are being explored.

Increased payload

The total payload capacity, range and variety of weaponry and equipment of the F/A-XX will at least match or likely exceed the current platform i.e. Super Hornet's payload capacity and capabilities. [9]

Unmanned

In May 2015, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stated that the F/A-XX should be a platform with the capability of optional unmanned autonomous operation. [10] The effort may produce a family of systems to replace the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G rather than a single airframe, and the Navy is now conducting an analysis of alternatives for their next-generation aircraft in partnership with the Air Force. [11] Greenert favors an optionally manned aircraft for a modular section that can either hold a pilot or more sensors.

Aircraft carrier compatible

The aircraft must be capable of operating from Navy Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.

Entries

The Boeing F/A-XX concept design as of 2013 Boeing F-A-XX 2013.jpeg
The Boeing F/A-XX concept design as of 2013

In July 2009, Boeing first publicly unveiled a sixth-generation fighter concept for the F/A-XX program requirement officially revealing its project development. Its renderings and concepts showed a stealth twin-engined tailless jet with two-seat tandem cockpit and a blended wing fuselage. Boeing disclosed that it is intended to be manned or unmanned depending on the mission. The fighter concept is in the 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) weight class. The Northrop Grumman X-47B that was chosen for the UCAS-D program has also been proposed for the F/A-XX effort. [2] [12]

Boeing unveiled an updated F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter concept in April 2013. The concept is a tailless twin-engine stealth fighter available in manned and unmanned configurations. It has canards, which usually compromises the frontal radar cross-section[ citation needed ], but the lack of a tail shows an emphasis on all-aspect stealth. It also has diverterless supersonic inlets similar to the F-35. The manned version seems to have restricted rearward visibility without the aid of a sensor. [13]

Program timeline

In 2011, the Department of Defense (DOD) planned to replace older F/A-18C/D Hornets with 220 F-35s. In March of that year, a Navy analysis of alternatives showed that it might buy more F-35C aircraft, develop a new platform, or do both for its NGAD fighter program. In a May 2011 report to Congress, DOD revealed that it was considering buying more F-35C fighters to replace 556 Super Hornets. [14]

On 9 September 2014, the Navy announced that an Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) for the F/A-XX aircraft would begin in 2015. Meetings with industry would be held focusing on building new aircraft to meet the requirement, developing a "family of systems" approach, and discussing mission systems, avionics, and new next-generation weapons systems.

On 4 April 2019, RADM Scott D. Conn, director of Air Warfare in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, stated that the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) for the F/A-XX was to be completed in the spring of 2019, with a final report due in the summer of 2019. [15] After the F/A-XX AoA was completed in June 2019, the Navy began the concept development phase of the development process. However, concerns were raised about funding, with Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute predicting that the program would evolve into a modification of the F-35 or F/A-18 Super Hornet. [16]

Until FY 2024, much of the F/A-XX funding were hidden under a classified special access program called Link Plumeria, among the DOD's largest research and development programs. Due to budget constraints, the Navy proposed delaying F/A-XX in its FY 2025 budget request in order to focus on near-term investments. [17] [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet</span> American carrier-capable multirole strike aircraft

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather supersonic, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft. Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and formerly by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strike fighter</span> Multirole combat aircraft

In current military parlance, a strike fighter is a multirole combat aircraft designed to operate both as an attack aircraft and as an air superiority fighter. As a category, it is distinct from fighter-bombers, and is closely related to the concept of interdictor aircraft, although it puts more emphasis on aerial combat capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockheed Martin X-35</span> Concept demonstrator aircraft for Joint Strike Fighter program

The Lockheed Martin X-35 is a concept demonstrator aircraft (CDA) developed by Lockheed Martin for the Joint Strike Fighter program. The X-35 was declared the winner over the competing Boeing X-32 and a developed, armed version went on to enter production in the early 21st century as the F-35 Lightning II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Combat Air System</span> European sixth-generation jet fighter project

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), is a European combat system of systems under development by Dassault Aviation, Airbus and Indra Sistemas. The FCAS will consist of a Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) as well as other air assets in the future operational battlespace. The NGWS's components will be remote carrier vehicles as well as a New Generation Fighter (NGF) - a sixth-generation jet fighter that by around 2040 will replace current France's Rafales, Germany's and Spain's Typhoons s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing EA-18G Growler</span> American electronic warfare aircraft

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is primarily provided by Northrop Grumman. The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009. Australia has also purchased thirteen EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet</span> Series of carrier-based multirole combat aircraft

The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are a series of American supersonic twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, in service with the armed forces of the U.S., Australia, and Kuwait. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth-generation fighter</span> Classification of sophisticated jet fighter aircraft entering service since 2005

A fifth-generation fighter is a jet fighter aircraft classification which includes major technologies developed during the first part of the 21st century. As of 2024, these are the most advanced fighters in operation. The characteristics of a fifth-generation fighter are not universally agreed upon, and not every fifth-generation type necessarily has them all; however, they typically include stealth, low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), agile airframes with supercruise performance, advanced avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the battlespace for situational awareness and C3 (command, control and communications) capabilities.

A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptualized class of jet fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters that are currently in service and development. Several countries have announced the development of a national sixth-generation aircraft program, including the United States, Russia and China. Whilst other countries have joined collaborative multinational projects such as Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom with Global Combat Air Programme, and France, Germany and Spain with FCAS; in order to spread development and procurement costs. The first sixth-generation fighters are expected to enter service in the 2030s.

Jet fighter generations classify the major technology leaps in the historical development of the jet fighter. Different authorities have identified different technology jumps as the key ones, dividing fighter development into different numbers of generations. Five generations are now widely recognised, with the development of a sixth under way.

The Lockheed Martin Sea Ghost was a proposal to fulfill the United States Navy's requirement for an Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike</span> 2013–2016 United States Navy development program

The Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) was a United States Navy program to develop an autonomous carrier-based unmanned combat aerial vehicle providing an unmanned intelligence and strike asset to the fleet. After debate over whether the UCLASS should primarily focus on stealthy bombing or scouting, the Pentagon instead changed the program entirely into the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) to create a UAV for aerial refueling duties to extend the range of manned fighters, which led to the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray.

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) is a sensor network with integrated fire control capability that is intended to significantly improve battle force air and missile defense capabilities by combining data from multiple battle force air search sensors on CEC-equipped units into a single, real-time, composite track picture. This will greatly enhance fleet air defense by making jamming more difficult and allocating defensive missiles on a battle group basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing MQ-25 Stingray</span> American military aerial refuelling drone

The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refueling drone that resulted from the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program, which grew out of the earlier Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. The MQ-25 first flew on 19 September 2019.

The Future Offensive Air System was a study to replace the Royal Air Force's strike capability, at the time provided by the Tornado GR4. Initial operational capability was expected around 2017. The FOAS was cancelled in June 2005 and was replaced by the Deep and Persistent Offensive Capability (DPOC) requirement, which was itself cancelled in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat</span> Future UAV in development by Boeing Australia

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, previously known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), is a stealth, multirole, unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is designed as a force multiplier aircraft capable of flying alongside crewed aircraft for support as part of an integrated system including space-based capabilities, and performing autonomous missions independently using artificial intelligence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi F-X</span> Future Sixth-generation air superiority fighter

The Mitsubishi F-X is a sixth-generation stealth fighter in development for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is Japan's first domestically developed stealth fighter jet and will replace the Mitsubishi F-2 by the mid-2030s. Its development is to also bolster the nation's defense industry and potentially enter the international arms market amid Japan's change in defense posture. In October 2020, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected as the lead developer.

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is a United States Air Force (USAF) sixth-generation air superiority initiative with a goal of fielding a "family of systems" that is to succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. A crewed fighter aircraft is the centerpiece program of NGAD and has been referred to as the Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA) platform and is to be supported by uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), or loyal wingman platforms, through manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collaborative combat aircraft</span> Unmanned wingman combat aircraft

Collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) is a US program for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) that is considered broadly equivalent to a loyal wingman. CCAs are intended to operate in collaborative teams with the next generation of manned combat aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and bombers such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. Unlike the conventional UCAVs, the CCA incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), denoted an "autonomy package", increasing its survivability on the battlefield. It is still expected to cost much less than a manned aircraft with similar capabilities. The US Air Force plans to spend more than $8.9 billion on its CCA programs from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with an additional $661 million planned for fiscal year 2024. The success of the CCA program may lessen the need for additional manned squadrons.

A loyal wingman is a proposed type of unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and is capable of collaborating with the next generation of manned combat aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and bombers such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. Also unlike the conventional UCAV, the loyal wingman is expected to be capable of surviving on the battlefield but to be significantly lower-cost than a manned aircraft with similar capabilities. In the US, the concept is known as the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).

References

Notes

  1. ↑ To verbally distinguish between the two programs and their spoken acronyms, the Air Force NGAD is pronounced /ˈənɡæd/ , while Navy NGAD is pronounced /ˈəndʒæd/ (the "G" pronounced like a "j").

Citations

  1. ↑ Wasserbly, Daniel (12 January 2017). "US Navy hopes for next-generation F/A-XX as soon as late-2020s". janes.com. IHS Markit. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 Trimble, Stephen (7 May 2010). "Boeing plots return to next-generation fighter market". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010.
  3. ↑ U.S. Navy (2021). "Navy Aviation Vision 2030-2035" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2024.
  4. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (17 April 2017). "US Navy issues F/A-XX RfI". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012.
  5. ↑ Cavas, Christopher P. (10 July 2013). "USN, Industry Seek New Concepts For 6th-generation Fighter". Defense News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Navy Plans for Fighter to Replace the F/A-18 Hornet in 2030s". military.com. 20 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Parsons, Dan (9 September 2014). "US Navy already looking beyond carrier-based F-35". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (10 September 2014). "Navy Taps Industry in Quest For Next Generation Fighter". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023.
  9. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (4 February 2015). "CNO Greenert: Navy's Next Fighter Might Not Need Stealth, High Speed". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023.
  10. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (13 May 2015). "Mabus: UCLASS Likely A Bridge to Autonomous Strike Aircraft, F/A-XX 'Should be Unmanned'". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Lagrone, Sam (22 April 2016). "Navy Seeking 'Family of Systems' to Replace Super Hornets, Growlers; Sheds F/A-XX Title". USNI News. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024.
  12. ↑ Trimble, Stephen (9 July 2019). "Boeing displays manned F/A-XX concept jet". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009.
  13. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (8 April 2013). "Boeing unveils updated F/A-XX sixth-gen fighter concept". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020.
  14. ↑ Trimble, Stephen (2 June 2011). "Lockheed F-35C emerges as candidate for future US Navy contract". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021.
  15. ↑ Leone, Dario (13 April 2019). "Report on U.S. Navy F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter will be ready in Summer". The Aviation Geek Club. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  16. ↑ Insinna, Valerie (29 May 2020). "At a budgetary crossroads, the US Navy's aviation wing must choose between old and new". Defense News. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  17. ↑ Trimble, Steve (13 July 2023). "White House Connects Secret Code Name To Next Navy Fighter". Aviation Week.
  18. ↑ "Navy delaying next-gen F/A-XX fighter spending for near-term investments". Breaking Defense. 12 March 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.