US Air Force had 3 6th Gen NGAD demonstrators; now down to 2

[F-22Raptor]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1674941254361288704

 

[IndoUS]

can’t wait to see what USAF has in mind.

 

[Ali_Baba]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1674941254361288704

Looking forward to the flight portion !!! Always excited to see new military fast jet aircraft. Interesting to see which way the USA goes!

 

[Deino]

LM posted this today maybe as a hint …

 

[merzifonlu]

They're probably planning something that doesn't have vertical stabilizers or they can fold up, can go to very high altitudes (abaut 70.000/80.000 feet) and download/upload large amounts of instantaneous data from the starlink satellite network and therefore the sensor range is unlimited. It will also have features such as swarm drone management, superior stealth body, variable bypass engines etc.

The only thing I'm curious about is the location of the air intakes. So why am I wondering this? Because if the air intakes are above the wing as in the B-21 bomber, the NGAD will not go below a certain altitude unless it is mandatory. NGAD will use a swarm of drones for missions at low altitudes. If the air intakes are below the wing as in conventional fighters, then the NGAD will fly relatively more often at low altitudes.

 

[FuturePAF]

Any indication one of these NGAD designs are based on the “Bird of Prey” design?

With a lot of the threat either from radar below or head on, having the intake behind the cockpit may create reduced signatures

 

[Ali_Baba]

Any indication one of these NGAD designs are based on the “Bird of Prey” design?

With a lot of the threat either from radar below or head on, having the intake behind the cockpit may create reduced signatures

If you look at the reduced timeline engineering history behind the bird of prey - you realise the depth of aviation engineering capability in the USA. There are some videos on the tube, showing the design approach behind that bird.

 

[FuturePAF]

If you look at the reduced timeline engineering history behind the bird of prey - you realise the depth of aviation engineering capability in the USA. There are some videos on the tube, showing the design approach behind that bird.

It all comes down to what defines a 6th Gen platform. One aspect I suspect are intakes on top of the airframe somewhat between that of the bird of prey and/or the B-21 raider but one that allows supersonic flight.

 

[Falcon26]

The F-22 & F-35 are 1980s & 1990s designs. In other words, these jets were designed 44/33 years ago. Today, they remain the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Nothing even comes remotely close.

One can imagine what sort of advanced fighter jets the US can produce in 2023. Frankly speaking, China & Russia are at least 50-years behind the US in aviation technology.

 

[TheSolution]

I wonder if China's defence industry will be able to match an indigenous 6th generation with what the US will produce in terms of capabilities and reliability?

Since we know the Chinese defence industry is still catching up to the western world and recently reaches 5th generation.

 

[FuturePAF]

The F-22 & F-35 are 1980s & 1990s designs. In other words, these jets were designed 44/33 years ago. Today, they remain the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Nothing even comes remotely close.

One can imagine what sort of advanced fighter jets the US can produce in 2023. Frankly speaking, China & Russia are at least 50-years behind the US in aviation technology.

Not as much has been put in R&D over the last 20-30 years as was put in during the Cold War into advanced aircraft designs. A lot of designs seem to be more updates of Cold War era research.

 

[MajesticPug]

The F-22 & F-35 are 1980s & 1990s designs. In other words, these jets were designed 44/33 years ago. Today, they remain the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Nothing even comes remotely close.

One can imagine what sort of advanced fighter jets the US can produce in 2023. Frankly speaking, China & Russia are at least 50-years behind the US in aviation technology.

... and the US hackers stole over 200GB of data and blueprints from China's Northwest Industrial University that designs or participates in designs of China's advanced aerial vehicles. These aerial vehicles include hypersonic missiles that the US has repeatedly failed to test. LOL.. Did you ever wonder if the number US airmen signing extension contracts dropped significantly (even after US military offered $50k signing bonus) had to do with the intensifying air rattles with China at a time China not communicating to US military officials?

Worry not, mate. China's Mig-17 will not shoot down your F-35 --- Frankly Speaking.

 

[Falcon26]

... and the US hackers stole over 200GB of data and blueprints from China's Northwest Industrial University that designs or participates in designs of China's advanced aerial vehicles. These aerial vehicles include hypersonic missiles that the US has repeatedly failed to test. LOL.. Did you ever wonder if the number US airmen signing extension contracts dropped significantly (even after US military offered $50k signing bonus) had to do with the intensifying air rattles with China at a time China not communicating to US military officials?

Worry not, mate. China's Mig-17 will not shoot down your F-35 --- Frankly Speaking.

If indeed the Americans stole data from the Chinese, it’s most certainly to assess the state of Chinese advance rather than any attempt to copy what the Chinese have. It’s ridiculous to argue the Americans need to copy the Chinese. China itself is a copy and paste factory for advanced military technology and has carried out persistent industrial espionage against the US for decades.

 

[Avicenna]

If indeed the Americans stole data from the Chinese, it’s most certainly to assess the state of Chinese advance rather than any attempt to copy what the Chinese have. It’s ridiculous to argue the Americans need to copy the Chinese. China itself is a copy and paste factory for advanced military technology and has carried out persistent industrial espionage against the US for decades.

Maybe in the past.

But don't discount Chinese inguinity moving foward.

Espionage is a two way street.

And it seems we buy alot into the propoganda peddled by the West.

 

[MajesticPug]

If indeed the Americans stole data from the Chinese, it’s most certainly to assess the state of Chinese advance rather than any attempt to copy what the Chinese have. It’s ridiculous to argue the Americans need to copy the Chinese. China itself is a copy and paste factory for advanced military technology and has carried out persistent industrial espionage against the US for decades.

US is the biggest espionage country(period) Read some history before you say more to make yourself looks like a fool. Remove the 'If indeed' from your sentence. Then think about what you're trying argue. 'Trying to assess..' Really? Look yourself in the mirror. You're good, really good. You could tell a lie to make yourself feel good. BTW, when you went to school, you repeatedly failed to solve a math problem then stole your A+ classmate's work 'just to assess how good' he was' and had no intention copying and stealing his work. That's some shameless lie you're spitting out. But you could do it -- without red faced or blinking. I guess you're just natural.

And you're not the only shameless person on this forum. Not the least. @Bengal71 gave you the applause for your argument. I could safely label him 'shameless' as well.