NGAD - Githubissues

TempestII commented 1 year ago

DB Selector

DB3K

Baseline

No response

Hypothetical

Yes

Name

Next Generation Air Dominance

Country

USA

Service

USAF

In Commission

2030+

Number in Service

Quantity unknown at this time

Length (m)

22.3

Wingspan (m)

18.9

Height (m)

5.2

Empty Weight (kg)

22670

Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) (kg)

40823

Payload Weight (kg)

2300

Crew

1

Propulsion

Unknown, but x2 expected. Possibly based on the potential F-35 AETP engines

Rate of Climb (ft/min)

Unknown

Service Ceiling (ft)

60000+

Military/Afterburner Speed (kt)

1000+

Cruise Speed (kt)

480

Supercruise

Yes

Ferry Range (nm)

3500

Endurance (min)

Unknown, but expected to be double the F-22A

Takeoff / Landing Distance (m)

Likely to be similar to the F-22A

Fuel Capacity (kg)

13608

Sensors

NGAD AESA Radar, likely 200NM+ Range. EOTS, DAS, MAWS, DECM, OECM, ESM etc at least as capable as the late 2020s F-35 variants and potentially the B-21 Raider.

Mounts

M61A2 20mm cannon. DEWs may also be a possibility but unknown at this time. Chaff, Flares, and Towed Decoys similar to the Raptor and Lightning are logical too.

Loadout Options

Most likely it'll only be Air to Air capable to start off with and will likely have a larger number of AAMs than current Fifth Gen Fighters. 10-12 AIM-260s.

Comms/Datalinks

Same as F-35 and possibly the B-21.

Aircraft Codes

Supermanouverability, Fly-by-Wire, Night Navigation (Ferry, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface Missiles), Helmet Mounted Sight / Display (HMS/HMD), Boom Refuelling

Comments

Obviously hypothetical at this stage, but even if this variant of the NGAD doesn't materialise, it could be left in as a hypothetical variant. This source suggests an F-111 sized aircraft due to the vast ranges required over the Pacific. This could lead to a reduction in agility, potentially with a 7G limit rather than the 9G of the F-22. The NGAD would work along side unmanned aircraft as part of a family of systems. It is VLO, both in terms of RCS and IR, most likely more so than the F-35, F-22, and the B-21 with its tailess design.