USAF's NGAD. Something is brewing.

Four minute reading about the USAF and the recent revelations regarding the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.

Earlier, Scramble Magazine wrote about "Did USAF's secret NGAD come out on purpose" and "What if the USAF's NGAD demonstrator is really just the jacket/casing of an F-117A Nighthawk".

At the beginning of June 2023, The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 411th Flight Test Squadron/Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB (CA) was formally transitioned into the Air Dominance Combined Test Force (AD-CTF) and will be tasked with flight testing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems.

A few weeks later, Lockheed Martin, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its famous "Skunk Works" advanced and secretive projects division, released an Artist Impression on social media about a possible future (to be chosen) manned NGAD. It is expected that the establishment of the Air Dominance CTF at Edwards shows that the USAF is becoming more integrated and more lethal. The AD-CTF will be an integral part of fielding a family of innovative platforms and systems through NGAD that will enable the USAF to control the skies in a highly contested environment.

While the 411th Flight Test Squadron/AD-CTF will continue to test enhancements for the Raptor fleet to maintain lethality against immediate threats, work will also include planning and execution of integrated flight test campaigns for the NGAD family of systems. The AD-CTF at Edwards is comprised of representatives from Developmental Test (DT), Operational Test (OT), the programme offices, and support contractors. The convergence of DT and OT allows the CTF to test systems against contracted design, while simultaneously testing for real-world operational environments.

Although something is brewing, at this moment it is unknown to Scramble Magazine if any prototype NGAD aircraft will be based at Edwards shortly. In May this year, the USAF announced that the NGAD eventually will replace the F-22A Raptor with a strong intent to award a contract during 2024.

Credit photo: USAF / Credit Artist Impressions: Lockheed Martin