Despite sharing the same name, the Air Force's NGAD effort is distinct from the Navy's,[N 1] which has the F/A-XX as its crewed fighter component and would have a similar fielding timeframe.
These technologies revolve around several areas such as propulsion, stealth, advanced weapons,[9] digital design (CAD-based engineering),[10][11] and thermal management of the aircraft signature.
[12] The program changes traditional Air Force acquisition[13] by the separation of design, production, and support functions in the development process with a $9 billion budget through 2025.
In May 2021, chief of staff of the USAF General Brown stated that the NGAD will start replacing the F-22 once it is operational in sufficient quantity, with the fielding goal in the 2030s.
[19] The complexity and sophistication of modern aircraft design, however, eventually caused the "Digital Century Series" to be abandoned in favor of a more traditional development and procurement approach.
Air Force veterans and industry experts have expressed concern with the idea that the B-21 Raider would be able to penetrate a hostile IADS without support from a crewed 6th-gen NGAD fighter.
The cost of each plane was not disclosed by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, but is expected to be in the "multiple hundreds of millions.
[29][30] SMG Consulting shared an infographic on the program, showing dimensions, cost, and combat radius, based on the Lockheed Martin 6th generation fighter artist impressions.