(Luft) Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)

[Nightwatch]

Kendall Reveals Secret X-Plane Program Paved the Way for NGAD
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kendal...eded-ngad/

Asked what most excites him about the NGAD, Kendall said it is the inclusion of a “family of systems” in the program, which includes autonomous escort platforms, new weapons—including the secret AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile—and “offboard sensors.”

In 2014, when Kendall was undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, “we commissioned a study” led by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency called “The Dominance Initiative,” he explained.

“That study lasted a year or so,” Kendall said, and recommended a “family of systems” to accompany the crewed fighter that will succeed the F-22.

In 2015, “we started the Next Generation Air Dominance X-plane program,” he said, which was funded for about $1 billion. The costs were split—“a third by DARPA, a third by the Air Force and a third by the Navy.”

That program “produced some prototypes that were successful demonstrating the technologies we need,” he said. His use of the plural suggests there were competitive designs in that stage of the project, but he did not disclose whether there were two, three, or more.

soweit wie schon bekannt

Im Übrigen gilt als wahrscheinlich, dass NGAD AF hauptsächlich aus Industriepolitischen Gründen an Boeing geht. Lockheed ginge dann erst mal leer aus.