The United States Navy is intensifying its efforts to develop and deploy a sixth-generation fighter jet by the early 2030s.
This move comes as China tests its fifth-generation carrier-based fighter jet, which is anticipated to be operational shortly. Despite China’s progress, the development suggests that its naval forces may remain a generation behind the U.S. Navy in cutting-edge fighter technology.
The Chief of US Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, emphasized the importance of the upcoming aircraft, provisionally named the F/A-XX, during an address on October 2.
“We expect that sixth-generation platform to be able to have advanced sensors, advanced lethality, advanced range, and being able to integrate with manned and unmanned capabilities together,” said Franchetti, noting the Navy’s focus on combining these innovations with lessons learned from the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
The Navy plans to award a contract soon, with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman competing to develop the next-generation fighter.
“We are in the source selection process right now,” Franchetti confirmed during a Defense Writers Group event, underlining the strategic importance of air platforms and submarines as the Navy’s key advantages.
The F/A-XX is expected to replace the aging F/A-18 Super Hornet multi-role fighters and the E/A-18 Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
It will deliver enhanced range, advanced sensing, and electronic warfare capabilities, surpassing the Navy’s current fleet of F-35C fifth-generation fighters. The new platform is scheduled to enter service by the mid-2030s.
A key feature of the F/A-XX program is its integration into a “family of systems,” similar to the Air Force’s NGAD initiative. This family of systems will include Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), highly autonomous drones designed to operate as loyal wingmen alongside the manned fighter jets.
These drones will be powered by artificial intelligence and enhance the fighter’s capabilities in contested environments, particularly in anti-access/area denial scenarios.
The US Navy’s pursuit of the sixth-generation fighter jet underscores its determination to retain air dominance in the face of growing global competition.
Sixth-Generation Jets To Maintain Edge Over China
While China continues to modernize its naval aviation capabilities, this next-generation platform will position the US Navy to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of military technology.
The U.S. Navy’s focus on developing a sixth-generation fighter jet by the early 2030s represents a critical step in maintaining its superiority, particularly as China persistently upgrades its naval aviation capabilities.
Although the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has advanced in testing its FC-31 (the J-35 carrier-based variant), the United States still leads in naval aviation capabilities.
The US Navy’s carrier-based fighter jets are already a force to reckon with. The F-35C — which entered service in 2019 — is the Navy’s most advanced carrier-based fighter jet. It remains the world’s first and only long-range stealth strike fighter aircraft explicitly designed for aircraft carrier operations.
In addition to the F-35C, the US Navy operates variants of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which serves as the backbone of the carrier strike force. These aircraft provide flexibility in strike missions, air superiority, and electronic warfare, ensuring that the US Navy retains dominance in the skies over global waters.
In stark contrast, China’s naval aviation capabilities are still catching up. The only carrier-based fighter jet with the PLAN is the J-15, a fourth-generation aircraft that entered service over a decade ago. While the J-15 has seen significant use, its weight, fuel load, and mission range restrict its effectiveness compared to its American counterparts.
However, China has recently begun testing a naval variant of the advanced J-35 fighter jet, a fifth-generation aircraft that promises enhanced radar capabilities and reduced radar signature.
The jet was initially intended for use with the Type 003 Fujian carrier, and its appearance on the Liaoning, which uses a ski-jump ramp for aircraft launches, indicates that the J-35 could also be operated from China’s older carriers.
The J-35’s deployment into service is not expected until the early 2030s, indicating that China’s fifth-generation fighter capabilities will be constrained in the short term.
By the time China deploys the J-35 in meaningful numbers, the U.S. Navy will likely be on the verge of introducing its sixth-generation fighter jet, known for now as the F/A-XX.
The generational gap between the U.S. and Chinese fighter jets will have profound implications for naval power dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where both nations are vying for influence.
The deployment of a sixth-generation US Navy fighter would provide the United States a decisive advantage in key strategic areas such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, regions where China has steadily increased its military presence.
The US Navy’s anticipated technological leap could allow it to outmaneuver China’s fifth-generation fighters, ensuring air superiority in a possible conflict.
Furthermore, the sixth-generation fighter is not merely a response to China’s advancements but part of a broader strategy to future-proof the US military in an era of rapid technological change.
The United States intends to develop an air force equipped to tackle future threats by incorporating AI, drones, and advanced weapon systems.
The ability to operate in highly contested environments, such as anti-access/area denial zones, will be critical for maintaining US naval dominance in an increasingly multipolar world.
US Navy’s F/A-XX Program Amidst Air Force’s NGAD Reevaluation
The US Navy’s commitment to the F/A-XX program arrives at a critical juncture as the Air Force reviews its future combat aircraft strategy: the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) jet.
This reevaluation, which is expected to take place over the next three months, aims to address the Air Force’s future capabilities.
Air Force officials have indicated a preference for a more cost-effective solution for the NGAD. However, pursuing a cheaper option may necessitate compromises in essential areas such as range and payload capacity.
For instance, a single-engine design could be favored over a more powerful twin-engine setup. Additionally, achieving shorter operational ranges would require the Air Force to develop and implement a stealthy Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS), envisioned as a future tanker concept to support its operations.
Nevertheless, the Navy, too, is grappling with its budgetary challenges. Earlier this year, the Navy postponed approximately $1 billion in investments for the F/A-XX to prioritize immediate readiness requirements, and there is a possibility that the US Congress may impose further cuts to the program’s budget.
The budgetary limitations and specific financial constraints could delay the introduction of the sixth-generation fighter jet. Despite these hurdles, remarks from the Navy’s top officials suggest that developing a new crewed fighter remains a high priority.
Nonetheless, some critics argue that the Navy does not necessarily require an entirely new and advanced aircraft; rather, they believe the focus should be on optimizing the capabilities of existing systems.
In particular, there is a focus on optimizing the performance of the F-35C, in which the Navy has made substantial investments over the years, leading to considerable expenses for taxpayers.
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