USAF's Next-Gen Fighter Jet, Designed to Replace the F-22 Raptor, to Cost $300 Million Each

The United States Air Force (USAF) is pushing the boundaries of aviation technology with its secretive Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Developed to replace the iconic F-22 Raptor in the 2030s, the NGAD will redefine the skies with its advanced systems and jaw-dropping price tag.

A Family of Systems​

The NGAD isn't just about a single aircraft. This ambitious program envisions a "family of systems" where a crewed centerpiece fighter jet is accompanied by unmanned collaborative combat aircraft. These loyal robotic wingmen will significantly expand the fighter's tactical capabilities through manned-unmanned teaming.

Cutting-Edge Propulsion​

At the core of the NGAD fighter will be a next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP) engine. This technological marvel is designed not only for exceptional thrust but also to generate substantial electrical power, crucial for the futuristic systems the NGAD will employ. Variable-cycle technology is key, allowing the engine to adapt to flight conditions for optimal performance and cooling.

Shrouded in Secrecy​

True to cutting-edge military development, specific details of the NGAD remain closely guarded secrets. Expect the aircraft to be a master of stealth, utilizing advanced low-observable technologies to minimize its presence on radar.

When coupled with anticipated long-range, high-performance missiles, the NGAD stands poised to be a decisive force in air-to-air combat.

The Price of Innovation​

Such advanced technology demands a substantial investment. The estimated cost for a single NGAD fighter jet is an eye-watering $300 million.

The program as a whole is projected to require a $16 billion commitment for research, development, testing, and evaluation over the next five years. This massive expenditure reinforces the USAF's determination to dominate the skies long into the future.

 

[Pink Panther]

Pretty cheap for a 6th gen jet, When some 4th gen jets like Rafale is selling for $300Mln each.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Pretty cheap for a 6th gen jet, When some 4th gen jets like Rafale is selling for $300Mln each.

sticker price of rafale is around 100 million, but after factoring weapons, parts over many years, it becomes much higher. The french also charge exorbitant rates from foreign buyers. French govt pays half price. That is why we need to develop and build our own jets.

 

[Indian1]

Slightly above the cost of rafale

 

[Ashutosh]

At this point I think India has more clearer approach to the 6th gen then the 'west'

• CATS: currently the most futuristic program ( and most important; even more important than AMCA) joint venture by HAL and New Space and Research ( Public private partnership ). Loyal Wingmen are the real future, a LCA with a formation of 10+ CATS warrior would be a total nightmare.
• Abhimanyu: similar to CATS > imp. thing is it's New Space and Research centre's program ( Pvt. Company)
• RPSA( Ghatak) -
  simultaneous development of SWiFT( successful flights done- surveillance drone) by DRDO and Vajra ( surveillance drone ) by Garuda Aerospace ( Pvt . Company)

All given systems mentioned above would be the part of Combat Air teaming - the actual future.

• Low cost -5 gen fighter ( workhouse of the future) - LCA mk2 and maybe ORCA( AF of TEDBF)
• AMCA mk1: 5 th gen with the scope of adding future technologies.
• JV with foreign partners for 6th gen. engine development .
• AMCA mk2 - enhanced ( and maybe a larger variant due to use of better engine) version of AMCA mk1

might be ur 6th gen fighter or will serve as tech. demonstrator for 6th gen. i.e AMCA mk2 would be too close to ur 6th gen or in actual basis would be ur 6th gen. fighter.

Idk what's 6th gen. actually!? But from all understanding I have got 6th gen. is nothing but an advanced 5th gen. with sole concentration on reducing the probability of Aircraft detection and interception.

 

[CCPSmasher]

Seems reasonable for first 8-10 years till critical scale reach.

 

[desigandu]

worth every $...this has capabilities of full spectrum stealth like the B-21, but more agile and can carry more weapons and sensors...

 

[Varaaah]

America ONLY develops tools of war, but never tools of peace. Forcing other countries to keep up with them
That not good!

 

[Akshat]

Pretty cheap for a 6th gen jet, When some 4th gen jets like Rafale is selling for $300Mln each.

Indeed, some 4th gen planes like F15 sell for over 380 million usd while planes like Rafale are on sale at 150 million USD.

 

[Akshat]

Slightly above the cost of rafale

More than 3 times.

 

[WarTech]

America ONLY develops tools of war, but never tools of peace. Forcing other countries to keep up with them
That not good!

Are you serious? Bruh
If we were in the position of US, we would be not different.

 

[Sai Rohith]

Really a cheap fighter as it is 6th gen, there are few 4th gen jets Rafael selling for 300Mln$ but against whom??
When no other country had produced a true 5th gen , this US going for 6th gen, & having the top 3 powerful airforcesof entire world (US air force , US navy air force, US marine corps aviation) & having 5th most powerful airforce US army aviation corps, for what ????? literally a package of genocide threatening every country

 

[Pad UwU]

At this point I think India has more clearer approach to the 6th gen then the 'west'

• CATS: currently the most futuristic program ( and most important; even more important than AMCA) joint venture by HAL and New Space and Research ( Public private partnership ). Loyal Wingmen are the real future, a LCA with a formation of 10+ CATS warrior would be a total nightmare.
• Abhimanyu: similar to CATS > imp. thing is it's New Space and Research centre's program ( Pvt. Company)
• RPSA( Ghatak) -
  simultaneous development of SWiFT( successful flights done- surveillance drone) by DRDO and Vajra ( surveillance drone ) by Garuda Aerospace ( Pvt . Company)

All given systems mentioned above would be the part of Combat Air teaming - the actual future.

• Low cost -5 gen fighter ( workhouse of the future) - LCA mk2 and maybe ORCA( AF of TEDBF)
• AMCA mk1: 5 th gen with the scope of adding future technologies.
• JV with foreign partners for 6th gen. engine development .
• AMCA mk2 - enhanced ( and maybe a larger variant due to use of better engine) version of AMCA mk1

might be ur 6th gen fighter or will serve as tech. demonstrator for 6th gen. i.e AMCA mk2 would be too close to ur 6th gen or in actual basis would be ur 6th gen. fighter.

Idk what's 6th gen. actually!? But from all understanding I have got 6th gen. is nothing but an advanced 5th gen. with sole concentration on reducing the probability of Aircraft detection and interception.

I don't think that's a basic standard for 6gen aircraft especially the engine... Most of what you mention has been tested or standard of 4.5gen and 5gen aircraft 😺
Let's wait a bit further or we will be decades more delay because we are very sceptical of foreign JV and the only thing we have a better competition is our top notch IT experts especially in programing and engineering IMHO

 

[Pad UwU]

This way cheaper than the 4gen aircraft that we are procuring LMAO 😹😹😹... And we know someone is always salty if we mention it🙃🤭

 

[Rajesh]

Pretty cheap for a 6th gen jet, When some 4th gen jets like Rafale is selling for $300Mln each.

Rafale watches cost half of the price and without those watches they never sells them.

 

[Pink Panther]

sticker price of rafale is around 100 million, but after factoring weapons, parts over many years, it becomes much higher. The french also charge exorbitant rates from foreign buyers. French govt pays half price. That is why we need to develop and build our own jets.

If France is really serious about selling more Rafale's to India , they need to offer Rafale F4 or even F5 for $75Mln each which would be the true cost with $40Mln margin for France, otherwise they will loose Indian Market.

 

[Anant]

If France is really serious about selling more Rafale's to India , they need to offer Rafale F4 or even F5 for $75Mln each which would be the true cost with $40Mln margin for France, otherwise they will loose Indian Market.

You want Dassault, a private French company, to offer the Rafales at cost price to a foreign nation, when said cost price is lower than what even the FASF pays for them? Seriously? Did you consume something from an unknown source, perhaps?

 

[Pink Panther]

More than 3 times.

So, you mean to say that we can buy 3 Rafale's for $300Mln.

 

[Pink Panther]

You want Dassault, a private French company, to offer the Rafales at cost price to a foreign nation, when said cost price is lower than what even the FASF pays for them? Seriously? Did you consume something from an unknown source, perhaps?

$75Mln is the price FAF paid for Rafale F3, so $75Mln is not unreasonable price, so do you mean that
Dassault didn't add any margin in the $75Mln it charged FAF.

 

[BCharlie]

Pretty cheap for a 6th gen jet, When some 4th gen jets like Rafale is selling for $300Mln each.

Looks reasonable enough price ... Lets buy a few dozen of them from US...