Lockheed's NGAD and a Space Shuttle milestone
A first look at Lockheed's concept for the NGAD and the shuttle deploys Unity 1
Innovation is the bridge between doctrine and war.
-Maj William A. Andrews, USAF
Mission Briefing
Recently Lockheed revealed a concept drawing of their take on the Next Generation Air Dominance or NGAD fighter. Taking that drawing as a source of inspiration, I am working with a 3D model for a video that will explain what we know so far about this sixth-generation fighter.
From what we can tell, the NGAD's design is intriguing – its almost invisible canopy and integrated intakes give it a drone-like appearance, and its wing structure suggests capabilities for high speeds and maneuverability. This design likely supports hypersonic missile launches. In addition to visual stealth, the NGAD incorporates spectral warfare techniques, reducing visual and heat signatures, evident in its unique exhaust port design similar to the YF-23 Black Widow.
Internally, the NGAD carries a limited arsenal to maintain its stealth profile, raising questions about its reliance on drones and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). These drones, potentially AI-enhanced, could serve various roles, from jamming to weaponry. The NGAD could command these drones, staying undetected in low-power states.
Finally, the NGAD's design, with its tailless, elongated fuselage and blended wing, indicates a focus on range and low observability, potentially sacrificing maneuverability. This design choice is vital for operations in vast areas like the Pacific theater. Expect advanced radar-absorbing materials (RAM) similar to those seen on the 6th generation B-21 Raider. Stay tuned for the video that will show you this model from all angles, hoping to have this to you by Friday.
This week in aviation history
4 December 1998: Let's take a journey back to a pivotal moment in space exploration history. Picture the iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour, perched majestically on Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It's the beginning of a significant 11-day mission, destined to play a crucial role in the construction of the International Space Station. The task at hand? To assemble the Unity docking connector module, also known as Node 1.
Leading this mission of STS-88 was the experienced Colonel Robert Donald Cabana from the United States Marine Corps, marking his fourth and final journey into space. At his side, as the Pilot, was Colonel Frederick Wilford Sturcklow, embarking on his inaugural space flight. The team was further bolstered by a group of skilled Mission Specialists: Colonel Jerry Lynn Ross from the U.S. Air Force, Major Nancy Jane Currie of the U.S. Army on her third space journey, the knowledgeable James Hansen Newman, Ph.D., also on his third trip, and Sergei Konstantinovick Krikalev, a seasoned Cosmonaut-Researcher representing NPO Energia, on his fourth of what would be six space missions.
This mission was built on the foundation laid by the launch of the space station's first segment, the Functional Cargo Block, also known as Zarya. Zarya had been sent into Earth orbit just two weeks prior, on 20 November 1998, aboard a Proton-K three-stage rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The American made Node 1 was more than just a piece of space equipment; it was a crucial docking station for incoming spacecraft and included adaptor points for future modules. The Endeavour was responsible for the delicate task of carrying Node 1 in its cargo bay, maneuvering it into position, and installing it with the precision of the shuttle’s robotic arm.
The mission concluded with the Endeavour's graceful return to Earth, touching down at the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center, precisely at 10:53:29 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on 15 December 1998. The total duration of Mission STS-88? An impressive 11 days, 19 hours, 18 minutes, and 47 seconds, a testament to the skill and dedication of its crew and the teams on the ground.
In case you missed it
Second in a two-part series on the BUFF:
Photo Outlet
Here’s an F-35A Lightning and a P-51 Mustang performing in a heritage flight from this year’s Wings Over Houston airshow:
Post Flight Debrief
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. Now you know!
-Tog