// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Sixth-Generation Fighter
A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptual future class of jet fighter aircraft, expected to be more advanced than the current fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. Key features will likely include artificial intelligence, the ability to control drone swarms, and advanced weapons like lasers.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptual class of advanced tactical aircraft, such as those in the USAF's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and the US Navy's F/A-XX programs, designed for air superiority. Key enabling technologies include optionally manned flight, artificial intelligence (AI) co-pilots, command and control of unmanned 'loyal wingman' systems, advanced sensor fusion, digital engineering, and the integration of directed energy weapons (DEW).
BACKGROUND
A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptualized class of jet powered fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters that are currently in service and development. Key characteristics include advanced stealth technology, increased range and beyond-visual-range weapons, and potentially manned-unmanned teaming.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
- F/A-XX
- Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
- Tempest
- Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA)
- next-gen tactical aircraft
- optionally manned fighter
USAGE NOTE
This term refers to developmental programs and concepts, as no sixth-generation fighter is currently in operational service anywhere in the world.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Sixth-Generation Fighter.
The advanced development division of Lockheed Martin, a prime contractor for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which is the American sixth-generation fighter initiative.
A major U.S. defense contractor heavily involved in developing key technologies for sixth-generation platforms, including advanced stealth, networked battle management, and autonomous systems, and is a key competitor in the NGAD program.
The advanced research and development unit of Boeing, competing to develop the primary fighter for the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and related systems.
A British multinational defense company leading the development of the Tempest fighter jet, the core of the UK, Italy, and Japan's joint Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation system.
A French aerospace company serving as the prime contractor for the New Generation Fighter (NGF), the centerpiece of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) being developed by France, Germany, and Spain.
A division of Airbus representing Germany and Spain in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) project. It is co-developing the New Generation Fighter with Dassault and leading the development of accompanying 'Remote Carrier' drones.
An American aerospace manufacturer developing the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) engine, designed to power the U.S. Air Force's NGAD sixth-generation fighter.
A British engineering company responsible for developing the advanced, high-power engine and integrated power and thermal management system for the Global Combat Air Programme's (GCAP) Tempest fighter.
A Japanese multinational engineering and electronics company that is a primary partner in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), contributing its expertise from Japan's previous F-X fighter program.