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.

 

[BCharlie]

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.

True, very true... we paid $255.5 million a piece ($9.2billion for 36 pieces) .. and that was a special favor done by them Frenchies on us.

 

[Ashutosh]

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

I still can't conclude what exactly is 6th gen!?
4 th gen . was all about beyond range engagements
and multi role fighters
5th was about stealth
6th!? All What I can conclude is Combat Air teaming and Network Centric Warfare

 

[BCharlie]

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

Sir, US has a War Economy.. In last 240 yrs or so of their Independence .. there has been only about 24 yrs of peace & in that the longest one stretch peace time was only 8 years in one go, rest peace time is in 2-3 yrs stretch only. US Defense Eqpt Manufacturing Corporations churn out Billions of Dollars every year.. To keep churning US needs wars in global arena .. which they have successfully done so in countries with stupido leaderships. Thats American strategy & policy .. Just see, after Ukraine & Israel occupying Palestine conflicts, it will be followed by Taiwan, then S.Korea.. and then of course us with China.. They will keep selling billions of dollars worth of weapons to them & us. .Thats the nature of this beast called USA.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

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.

Will never happen. That is why I am very against MRFA. instead of spending 30 billion dollars on rafale, we can spend it on domestic industry and get 2 times the number of aircrafts.

 

[Pink Panther]

Will never happen. That is why I am very against MRFA. instead of spending 30 billion dollars on rafale, we can spend it on domestic industry and get 2 times the number of aircrafts.

there is no way we could avoid MRFA as we need 5-6 Squadrons ASAP, so Instead of spending $30-33Bln on expensive 4th gen jets, we could use half the money for research and use the rest of the money to buy 114 cheapest 4th gen jets.

 

[Pink Panther]

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

it won't be for sale to any country including allies just like the F22 raptor.

 

[Sunnyj]

Yeah but we have 36 8th gen Rafales not to mention the unmentionable gen Su30 mki, Mig29 etc. Beat that NGAD!

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

there is no way we could avoid MRFA as we need 5-6 Squadrons ASAP, so Instead of spending $30-33Bln on expensive 4th gen jets, we could use half the money for research and use the rest of the money to buy 114 cheapest 4th gen jets.

propblem is that there is a huge backlog of rafales, if we give order today, we will get them all at least 10 years later. We could alternatively invest that money to increase production levels of AMCA and Tejas mk 2

 

[desigandu]

NGAD and B-21 are the standard at least aspirationally for everyone...We will have to wait and see how the Chinese program and the GCAP develops...It does not matter what you call yourself 5 GEN, 5.5GEN or 6 GEN, the capabilities is what really matters, and fielding such capability takes time, money and effort over long periods of time...Of course a large economy, that can support a large military budget, coupled with R&D+Academia+Military/Industrial Complex and ability to sell in volumes to allies/partners helps the US...If Bharat wants to become a true global power by 2047, we need to get to $25T economy, with a 3% of GDP (of at least 10 years) spent on Defense and robust domestic R&D/Manufacturing, else we will be just good enough...I think we can be a great power, if we think long term and execute continuously - I am hopeful.

 

[Akshat]

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

Probably even more. In clean sheet off the shelf configuration. As per the last reported price of Rafale, France paid 68 million USD and price has gone down ever since. Estimates for India were about 93 million USD, excluding ISE and the everything else.

 

[Anant]

$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.

I agree that 300 million USD is atrocious. However, you cannot also then go and tell them to sell you stuff at cost price.

France's most recent order for Rafales was 42 Rafale F4s for some 5.5 billion USD, which works out to 131 million USD per jet. Even if you assume Dassault has placed a 50% margin on that, the cost comes to 87.3 million USD. How do you get the 75 million figure, then?

That is keeping aside standard profit margins, export margins, etc. France generally sells stuff that is more expensive, but still...