Global 6th Generation Fighter Aircraft Projects

[BON PLAN]

Isn't the recent updated design a Tailless-Caret-LEVCON for FCAS? They seem to be going for tailless version.

Indeed.
If I remember well there was a picture of such a configuration shown in ONERA wind test chamber.

 

[vampyrbladez]

NGAD might be a single engine design based on the XA100 (200 KN) with numbers ~300 units with target price of ~$100-150 Million/aircraft.

Previous plans for a large twin engine NGAD with 2 x XA102 (156 KN) engines with numbers ~200 units has been effectively scrapped due to cost concerns ($300 Million/aircraft).

In the AETP program, GE Aerospace built the XA100 and Pratt & Whiteny built the XA101, but the Pentagon opted not to use either one for the F-35. The knowledge gained from inventing adaptive engine technology won’t be lost; both companies are tweaking it for the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program to power the Air Force’s next fighter. But the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is under review and will likely change. Senior leaders at the conference said they are contemplating a single-engine version of the NGAD, of which fewer than 300 are likely to be built. That may weigh against carrying two contractors into production.

Faced with New and Growing Demands, Military Propulsion Needs More Support: Experts

The ‘stinger’ tail is also of interest as it points to a single engine design with a 2D exhaust, similar to what is seen on the F-22, although with a lower lip extension. This would make sense design-wise as it is a common attribute of low-observable aircraft as it reduces/masks the infrared signature of the aircraft from most perspectives sensors would be looking at it, and it can provide a surface to spread and actively cool the exhaust after it exits the nozzle. Whether this aircraft concept, or NGAD in general, will have thrust vectoring remains unclear, but there is a possibility it will, although extreme maneuverability really wouldn’t be the primary driver for the inclusion of such a system.

Skunk Works Teases Tailless NGAD Fighter Design In New Ad

The aircraft in question measures roughly 65 feet long and 50 feet wide — about the size of a Su-27 Flanker — and has wings that are reminiscent of Concorde, with its elegantly curved ‘ogival’ leading edge. Even the mystery aircraft wing’s trailing edges are curved, leading to almost scimitar-like wingtips that may be turned upward. Overall, the wings have a flowing, almost organic appearance.

The aircraft has no discernable tail surfaces with what is likely its exhaust extending to the rear and blended with the curved trailing edges of the wings, providing something of a rear apex. Its forward fuselage tapers into what is most likely a pointed nose. There is no doubt about it, this is a fluid-looking design that would likely be very impressive to view close up.

Mysterious Aircraft Spotted At Area 51 In Unprecedented Satellite Image (Updated)

GE Aerospace has finished a fourth round of testing on the XA100 adaptive cycle engine “to gather additional data and advance this next-generation technology for future combat aircraft.” the company said on May 8.

Last November, GE said that it had performed third phase testing of the second XA100 at its Evendale, Ohio plant outside of Cincinnati over the summer.

The following month, GE “completed a major design review” of the second engine, the XA102, which “will now continue toward a prototype engine test” as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program (NGAP), the company said on May 8.

GE Continues Work on XA100 for Future Combat Aircraft – May 8

The engine-makers have already developed and tested variable-cycle engines (VCE) for two thrust requirements—a 45,000-lb. powerplant suited for the Lockheed Martin F-35 and a lower-thrust variant for NGAD—and say they are prepared to be adaptable.

Despite the platform-level uncertainty, Gowder asserts that a portfolio with two adaptive turbofans of different sizes offers an advantage as the Air Force determines final requirements for the NGAD platform. Having two options redefines the term “adaptive” to apply to sizing the engine for thrust, too.

GE’s XA100 “is actually a much larger engine, but it’s certainly available,” she says. “The XA102 kind of scales down. Whichever way they land on their requirements, we believe we have technology that’s relevant.”

GE, the main driving force behind the service’s two-decade investment in adaptive propulsion, has emphasized the inherent flexibility of the VCE three-stream engine technology as NGAD platform requirements evolve. “We’re as anxious as anyone to see which way they go,” GE Defense and Systems CEO Amy Gowder tells Aviation Week. “We stand ready for the government to figure out their form factor.”

Pentagon NGAD Uncertainty Pressures Adaptive Engine-Makers To ‘Adapt’

As noted aerospace journalist John A. Tirpak has pointed out, “Making NGAD less costly could mean sacrificing range and payload, possibly going from two engines to one, a counter-intuitive solution that could be possible only if the Air Force had a stealthy Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) that could evade adversary’s missile systems.” Secretary Kendall has mentioned a smaller less complex engine (i.e., less power, speed, maneuverability and range). This suggests scrapping the revolutionary adaptive cycle engine because of its cost. If so, performance levels would likely be even closer to an improved F-35. Moreover, China will be given the opportunity to catch up in engine technology, an area in which it has seriously lagged.

Implications of the Air Force’s Suspension of NGAD

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

6gen is expected to enter service in 2030s.
As per natural evolution, one day all 4gen F-15, 16, 18 will be retired from USAF & USN. That could be 2050s/60s.
But then what will replace them & in how many numbers?

Looking at Wiki data for a generic reference (may not be accurate), not incl. trainers :
(List of active United States Air Force aircraft - Wikipedia)
(List of active United States naval aircraft - Wikipedia)
4gen:
F-15 A/C = 168
F-15 Str.E = 219
F-15 EX = 8 (104 planned)
F-16C = 738
F18 E/F = 421 (+76 ordered)
EA-18 = 153

5gen:
F-22 = 187
F-35 A = 419 (1,372 planned)
F-35 C = 30 (+204 ordered)

Total 4gen in 2040s/50s = 168 + 219 + 112 + 738 + 497 + 153 = 1,887
Total 5gen in 2040s/50s = 187 + 419 + 234 = 840+

So the question is how many 6gen F/A-XX & NGAD, manned + UCAV?

A better question is what type of 6gen - heavy class F/A-XX + heavy class NGAD + medium class NGAD?
Is it going to be something like:
F-15 heavy class (168+219+112) > F-22 heavy class (187) + NGAD heavy class (??)
F-16 medium class (738) > F-35 A medium class (1,372) + NGAD medium class (??)
F-18 medium class (421+76+153) > F-35 C medium class (234+) + F/A-XX heavy class (??)

And even better question - will they have export versions?

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

NGAD might be a single engine design based on the XA100 (200 KN) with numbers ~300 units with target price of ~$100-150 Million/aircraft.

Previous plans for a large twin engine NGAD with 2 x XA102 (156 KN) engines with numbers ~200 units has been effectively scrapped due to cost concerns ($300 Million/aircraft).

Faced with New and Growing Demands, Military Propulsion Needs More Support: Experts

Skunk Works Teases Tailless NGAD Fighter Design In New Ad

Mysterious Aircraft Spotted At Area 51 In Unprecedented Satellite Image (Updated)

GE Continues Work on XA100 for Future Combat Aircraft – May 8

Pentagon NGAD Uncertainty Pressures Adaptive Engine-Makers To ‘Adapt’

Implications of the Air Force’s Suspension of NGAD

Till 6gen jets are officially revealed, we'll have numerous speculations, propaganda, animations, some of which could be confusing or ever misleading to keep the world guessing.
But i think USA will have 2 NGADs - one heavy class like F-22 with high capability, 2 engines & export ban;
the other of medium class like F-35 with medium capaility, 1 engine &export variant to compete with export variants of China, Russia, Europe.
F/A-XX may not have export model as all current AC operating nations have either placed future import order or will be making their own Naval jets.

 

[vampyrbladez]

Evolution of NGAD concept (notional)

What Would A Far Cheaper Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Actually Look Like?

https://www.twz.com/air/what-would-...tion-air-dominance-fighter-actually-look-like

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

Evolution of NGAD concept (notional)

What Would A Far Cheaper Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Actually Look Like?

https://www.twz.com/air/what-would-...tion-air-dominance-fighter-actually-look-like

USA is confusing the world.
TWZ is just 1 of the numerous personal websites with their own speculation. There are many CAD artists also with their own ideas.
If any official govt. website or that of maker firms like LM, NG, Boeing mention these infographic then we can seriously discuss about it.
But military is supposed to be secretive.

 

[vampyrbladez]

USA is confusing the world.
TWZ is just 1 of the numerous personal websites with their own speculation. There are many CAD artists also with their own ideas.
If any official govt. website or that of maker firms like LM, NG, Boeing mention these infographic then we can seriously discuss about it.
But military is supposed to be secretive.

It's a notional representation of the current direction of NGAD

 

[Spitfire IX]

Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft completes first phase of modification

Leonardo, 2Excel and the Ministry of Defence have announced that the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) ‘Excalibur’ has successfully completed its first phase of modification and flight testing.

uk.leonardo.com

GCAP partners setting themselves up in good time to be able to test and develop systems for their future 6G fighter?

 

[vampyrbladez]

SR-72: The U.S. Air Force’s New Hypersonic Bomber?​

According to recent Aviation Week reports, a classified Lockheed Martin program that involves a “highly complex design and systems integration” went another $45 million over budget in the second quarter of 2024. Based on Lockheed’s quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, that places the firms’ total losses associated with this single shadowy program up to some $335 million since 2022. Those same filings went on to postulate that losses may continue to accrue as the company faces “advanced procurement costs” moving forward.

As Leland described it, this new propulsion system started with a conventional turbofan engine – either the Pratt & Whitney F100 or the General Electric F110 – as its basis. This turbofan would allow the aircraft to take off from a stop and accelerate to supersonic speeds like any normal fighter, but once the jet began to approach Mach 3, the engine’s second half would roar to life.

That second half is said to be a dual-mode ramjet (sometimes called a dual-mode scramjet or supersonic combustion ramjet) that relies on the immense pressure of inflowing air at supersonic speeds and a variable inlet design to create intentionally placed shockwaves for compression.

As a result, this engine design could propel an aircraft well past the SR-71’s record-setting top speed of Mach 3.2, past the notional hypersonic barrier at Mach 5, and potentially even past Top Gun’s fictional Darkstar (which was notably built in partnership with Skunk Works) at Mach 10.

But that’s not the only evidence pointing toward a highly secretive aircraft being developed for the U.S. Air Force. In fact, there’s a fair bit of evidence to suggest that this program has matured beyond development and pre-production tooling, and is likely beginning a full production run. In particular, there’s the construction of a massive new production facility at the Skunk Works headquarters in Palmdale, California, dubbed Building 648 – along with the hiring of thousands of new personnel tasked with building… something inside.

Construction on Building 648 was completed in August 2021, with Lockheed Martin touting the massive 215,000-foot structure as an “intelligent, flexible factory” aimed at reducing the significant investments of both time and money required to stand up new production lines. This is accomplished, Lockheed Martin explained, through the use of advanced artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and large, broadly capable robots known as Combined Operation: Bolting and Robotic AutoDrill systems, or COBRAs.

Between February 2018, when the SR-72 went dark, and September 2023, Lockheed Martin increased the size of the advanced development programs unit, a subsidiary of their aeronautics division, by a whopping 75 percent, hiring more than 2,300 new employees over five years, with hundreds of openings still advertised on their careers page.

There are also statements from Skunk Works officials that highlight that low-rate production of something is underway.

“I think it’s fair to say that there is low-rate production going on in the Skunk Works,” Skunk Works General Manager John Clark told the press in 2022. “We’ve got our hands in a myriad of activities, so I feel comfortable saying that because you won’t be able to factor in specifically what it might be to then create security problems for me. But yes, there are low-rate production activities going on in Palmdale.”

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2024/12/sr-72-the-u-s-air-forces-new-hypersonic-bomber/

 

[vampyrbladez]

6gen is expected to enter service in 2030s.
As per natural evolution, one day all 4gen F-15, 16, 18 will be retired from USAF & USN. That could be 2050s/60s.
But then what will replace them & in how many numbers?

Looking at Wiki data for a generic reference (may not be accurate), not incl. trainers :
(List of active United States Air Force aircraft - Wikipedia)
(List of active United States naval aircraft - Wikipedia)
4gen:
F-15 A/C = 168
F-15 Str.E = 219
F-15 EX = 8 (104 planned)
F-16C = 738
F18 E/F = 421 (+76 ordered)
EA-18 = 153

5gen:
F-22 = 187
F-35 A = 419 (1,372 planned)
F-35 C = 30 (+204 ordered)

Total 4gen in 2040s/50s = 168 + 219 + 112 + 738 + 497 + 153 = 1,887
Total 5gen in 2040s/50s = 187 + 419 + 234 = 840+

So the question is how many 6gen F/A-XX & NGAD, manned + UCAV?

A better question is what type of 6gen - heavy class F/A-XX + heavy class NGAD + medium class NGAD?
Is it going to be something like:
F-15 heavy class (168+219+112) > F-22 heavy class (187) + NGAD heavy class (??)
F-16 medium class (738) > F-35 A medium class (1,372) + NGAD medium class (??)
F-18 medium class (421+76+153) > F-35 C medium class (234+) + F/A-XX heavy class (??)

And even better question - will they have export versions?

View attachment 16446

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/2024-usaf-ussf-almanac-equipment/

 

[Screambowl]

What is India's 6th gen fighter?

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

SR-72: The U.S. Air Force’s New Hypersonic Bomber?​

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2024/12/sr-72-the-u-s-air-forces-new-hypersonic-bomber/

I think Hypersonic aircraft is such a unique technology that it is inappropriate to call it 6gen. The characteristics of 6gen doesn't count hypersonic speed. Northropt calls its B-21 as 6gen bomber.
There are still many things to understand about hypersonic aircraft like:
- how much fuel for how much range
- how much payload & what exactly
- max speed & altitude of weapons release.
- ultimately the size of jet
- cost of jet & # to be built
- Hypersonic missiles Vs aircraft cost, readiness, etc.

So i opened a separate thread for it:

B

Thread 'Hypersonic Tech R&D: Aircrafts, Missiles; Scramjet, Air Breating Rocket Engines Etc.'

Jul 31, 2024

Hypersonic means speeds more than Mach 5. Humans have desired both civil & military application but It is still in experiment stage.
Subsonic flight still has accidents. Military pilots have ejection seats & parachutes but civillian passengers don't. Hence even supersonic flight has been restricted after Concord crash which BTW was only for rich people.
High-supersonic flight b/w Mach 3-5 will require higher altitude beyond 60Kft to reduce friction drag, but also require enough air for thrust. Occupats may also need a pressure suit which cannot be practically implemented in civil...

• Bhartiya Sainik
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Global Arms and Industry

• 

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

What is India's 6th gen fighter?

IAF chief said just a 1 liner that they have a road-map for it, that's it.
I opened a conceptual study thread on it for personal view:

B

Thread 'AHCA (Advanced Heavy Combat Aircraft) concept, 5/5.5/6gen? Su-30MKI replacement? TEDBF 2.0?'

Aug 15, 2024

CAUTION/DISCLAIMER:
- This thread is inspired by global tech evolution, R&D & big jets like Su-3X including Naval variant Su-33.
- On casual forum, there is no need to wait for official govt. or DoD statements.
- Neither global tech evolution waits for lagging countries, nor Discussions for every component to mature & be available.

>Some day upgraded Super-Su-30MKI will need replacement by similar size & weight jet due to technological advancement, requirement of 5th-6th gen. Even after Super-Sukhoi upgrade which is analogous to Su-35-S, the RCS & IRS will be quite high.
>The radars...

• Bhartiya Sainik
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Indian Air & Space Forces

• 

 

[haldilal]

View: https://x.com/haldilal/status/1872742383458369858

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

View: https://x.com/haldilal/status/1872742383458369858

A gen leap can be said to occur when we need a new airframe design to efficiently absorb the primary characteristics defined for new gen. A lot of things can be MLUed backwards but if either MLU cannot be done OR it'll be very costly, the cost-benefit ratio is not good, the latest technology simply disagrees & mismatch with older airframe, etc.
> JV-VCE for AMCA is under talks. F-35 was offered AETP VCE but instead chose just the ECU (Engine Core Upgrade) for more thrust, cooling, electricity. Let's see if F-22 will get it. So VCE can be MLUed but again cost-benefit ratio.
> Fly by light is replacing metal wires by much lighter but costlier fiber-optics. It'll require changing the connectors, PCB cards & upgrading S/w, can be easily done but again cost considered by operators.
> GaN antennas can be easily MLUed. We're going to put it in our future jets LCA, MWF, TEDBF also.
> Meta materials can/will be very expensive MLU.
> Damage detection sensors can be put in, like there are health management sensors in F-35 & perhaps F-22 also.


> MUMT again possible with older gen too. AI, ML involved in it.
> DECS (Digital Engine Control System). FADEC already there.
> DFCS (Digital Flight Control System) already there.
> Computing elements MLU - CPU, RAM, storage, connectors, transcievers, S/w protocols, network bandwidth upgrade are done in 5-10 years.
> Critical operations like FCS can be separated from functions like sensor fusion.

Things which 5gen cannot do -
> Implement all the possible MLUs together, might cost equivalent to a new jet. They may have to prioritize & choose a few.
> Geometry cannot be reduced further or modified significantly for lower RCS. It'll automatically become a new jet.
> IWB capacity cannot be increased. There are weapons slightly bigger than today's IWBs. Ramjet increases range, fits in the IWB, but is costlier than rocket engine. Some weapons are modified & shortened for current IWBs but bigger IWB would be ideal.
> Internal fuel cannot be increased w/o increasing RCS. CFTs increase RCS.
> DEW cannot be implemented internally. Small DEW trucks have been showcased, that much space needs a bigger jet. DEW pods have also been tested but just 1 pod won't help & they have to be conformal to maintain RCS.

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

The GCAP is being expected to be bigger than F-22 with more IWB space:






View: https://x.com/buchmaru/status/1843249118363414629

So it may house at least 2 more BVR-AAMs, may be 2 more IR-CCMs too. A longer bay can house some AGMs too.