The U.S. Air Force is reconsidering its approach to the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program, aiming to bring down the cost of the future aircraft while maintaining air superiority.
According to the Air & Space Forces Magazine, originally envisioned as a high-cost, high-capability platform, the NGAD could now see design changes that would reduce its price to below that of the F-35, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
Speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Kendall suggested that cutting costs could involve changes to the fighter’s range, payload, and engine configuration. “We haven’t set a number or threshold,” Kendall told reporters, but he indicated that the F-35, which costs between $80 million and $100 million, represents the upper limit of what the Air Force would like to spend. “I’d like to go lower, though,” he added.
Kendall noted that part of this cost-reduction strategy could involve integrating Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) into the NGAD concept. Shifting certain mission functions to unmanned systems like the CCA could allow for a more streamlined, cost-effective fighter design. The target price for CCAs is expected to be around $25 million, but Kendall emphasized the importance of managing costs to keep the systems sustainable.
The need for a more affordable fighter comes as the Air Force grapples with financial constraints, evolving threats, and the development of new technologies. Kendall acknowledged that the current NGAD design, which was initiated several years ago, was tailored to a specific mission and set of circumstances. Given how threats and capabilities have evolved, a fresh evaluation of the program is underway.
“The design concept [is] several years old,” Kendall said. “We need to reassess NGAD because of threat changes, financial constraints, and the development of new technologies.” He added that the program’s requirements were established with the intention of replacing the F-22 and providing air superiority in a contested environment.
Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. Slife echoed Kendall’s comments during a panel discussion, highlighting how disaggregating capabilities could reduce platform costs. “We’ve gotten to a point where we can look at air superiority more broadly,” Slife said. “The radar may be in one location, the munition in another.”
Kendall acknowledged that the Air Force must move quickly to finalize its plans for NGAD, particularly as decisions need to inform the fiscal 2026 budget request, expected within months. While the NGAD contract was initially expected to be awarded this year, the program is currently on hold for further review.
A blue-ribbon committee of senior Air Force leaders and experts has been formed to review the NGAD program. This panel includes former chiefs of staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, Gen. John P. Jumper, and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, among others. The committee’s mandate is to assess the current NGAD evaluations and ensure the Air Force is not overlooking any critical elements in its analysis.
“Their job is to give us feedback and insights that will help us make the necessary decisions,” said Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin. However, he clarified that Kendall and he would make the final decision, with Congress having the ultimate say.
If the Air Force concludes that significant changes are needed, the NGAD program could face a lengthy restart process, including a new trip through the Pentagon’s Joint Requirements Oversight Council and further reviews by the Office of Management and Budget.
The future of NGAD remains uncertain, but the program’s outcome will be critical in determining the Air Force’s ability to maintain air superiority in an increasingly contested environment. While the original concept focused on producing a highly advanced fighter, the Air Force’s shift towards integrating unmanned systems and reducing costs reflects the changing landscape of modern warfare.
Kendall made it clear that air superiority remains a core function of the U.S. Air Force. “We are not walking away from the core function of providing air superiority,” he emphasized. The challenge now is to balance cutting-edge capabilities with cost-effectiveness, ensuring the Air Force can field a sufficient number of next-generation fighters to meet future threats.