The US Navy has made the final choice in favor of the sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter

The US Navy has outlined the key requirements for the new generation machine. Among them — increased flight range to protect aircraft carriers from anti-ship weapons and integration with UAVs.

The US Navy is in the final stages of selecting a supplier for its sixth-generation fighter jet, known as the F/A-XX. The service plans for the aircraft to enter service in the 2030s. In other words, the Navy intends to introduce its new platform before the Air Force, which has suspended its NGAD fighter program to review requirements. This was reported by The War Zone commentators on October 3.

The article states that, similar to the Air Force program, the Navy initiative is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. However, despite the cooperation between the two services, the projects can move in different directions, especially in terms of timing and technical characteristics.

According to the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the fighter will have advanced sensors, increased combat power and integration with drones, which will be critical in possible future military operations in the Pacific region.

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Technical challenges and priorities

The main task is to provide a sufficient flight range to protect aircraft carriers from anti-ship warfare, which requires a significant increase in the range of the fighter without refueling. The Navy is also looking to have F/A-XX fighters paired with drones of similar endurance.

Despite the financial challenges associated with implementing the program, Franchetti emphasizes that the Navy plans to award the contract in the coming years. .

At the same time, the US Air Force is reviewing the cost of its NGAD program, as its implementation may cost three times more than the F-35 — up to $300 million per unit. The authors of the publication noted that the Navy may face similar challenges, especially if it has to change characteristics to save money.

Key requirements for the characteristics of the future F/A-XX fighter:

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powerful sensors for early detection of targets;

increased flight range for operations in remote theaters of war;

integration with unmanned systems for joint missions;

< li>increased combat power for superiority in aerial combat.