Blue Marlin
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Northrop Grumman studies F-X, F/A-XX technologies
Artist's conception of sea-based version of Northrop Grumman's NGAD aircraft. Source: Northrop Grumman
Key Points
Artists' renderings of the sixth-generation aircraft depict a stealthy air vehicle employing a laser weapon against multiple targets.
The USAF's F-X programme would develop aircraft to replace the Boeing F-15 Eagle, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and, eventually, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter now in production. The USN's F/A-XX, meanwhile, would replace the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Chris Hernandez, Northrop Grumman's vice president for research, technology, and advanced design, said Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) - a term used by both the company and by the Pentagon to encompass both F-X and F/A-XX - must have long range and carry a lot of weapons because survivability and lack of overseas basing will be two of its main challenges. Hernandez said the aircraft's appearance is derived from those assumptions.
"This looks a lot like a baby B-2, and this is really getting into our sweet spot," he said.
The company has put two design teams to work on the project even though no specific guidance on desired capabilities has been put forth by the Pentagon yet. Still, Northrop Grumman aerospace systems President Tom Vice focused on management of all the heat generated by powerful weapons and sensors as a key concept that companies will likely have to master in order to build such an aircraft.
Even the most advanced lasers are just over 30% efficient, so at least twice as much heat is generated for the energy employed by the beam, Vice said.
Northrop Grumman studies F-X, F/A-XX technologies | IHS Jane's 360
Artist's conception of sea-based version of Northrop Grumman's NGAD aircraft. Source: Northrop Grumman
Key Points
- Northrop Grumman has revealed its NGAD concept for F-X and F/A-XX
- The design is a cross between its B-2 bomber design and its X-47B UAV developed for the USN.
Artists' renderings of the sixth-generation aircraft depict a stealthy air vehicle employing a laser weapon against multiple targets.
The USAF's F-X programme would develop aircraft to replace the Boeing F-15 Eagle, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and, eventually, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter now in production. The USN's F/A-XX, meanwhile, would replace the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Chris Hernandez, Northrop Grumman's vice president for research, technology, and advanced design, said Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) - a term used by both the company and by the Pentagon to encompass both F-X and F/A-XX - must have long range and carry a lot of weapons because survivability and lack of overseas basing will be two of its main challenges. Hernandez said the aircraft's appearance is derived from those assumptions.
"This looks a lot like a baby B-2, and this is really getting into our sweet spot," he said.
The company has put two design teams to work on the project even though no specific guidance on desired capabilities has been put forth by the Pentagon yet. Still, Northrop Grumman aerospace systems President Tom Vice focused on management of all the heat generated by powerful weapons and sensors as a key concept that companies will likely have to master in order to build such an aircraft.
Even the most advanced lasers are just over 30% efficient, so at least twice as much heat is generated for the energy employed by the beam, Vice said.
Northrop Grumman studies F-X, F/A-XX technologies | IHS Jane's 360
