The NGAD's airframe design and remembering the F-111
What will the NGAD look like and remembering the iconic F-111 fighter bomber
In the development of air power one has to look ahead and not backwards and figure out what is going to happen, not too much what has happened.
-Billy Mitchell
Mission Briefing
The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program heralds a transformative era in air combat, promising a leap forward in technological innovation, tactical versatility, and strategic capability. As speculation swirls around the possible shapes and designs of the NGAD fighter, it's essential to consider the evolutionary trajectory of air combat, technological advancements, and operational requirements that could define this cutting-edge aircraft. I’ve done several videos on the NGAD, and will be sharing some concept 3D designs that have been used in my animations in this article.
The NGAD is anticipated to embody a multi-faceted approach to air dominance, blending stealth, speed, agility, and a suite of advanced sensors and weapons systems. Given these criteria, the aircraft might feature a design that pushes the boundaries of current stealth technology. We could see a continuation of the trend towards blended wing bodies, which offer significant improvements in aerodynamic efficiency and radar cross-section reduction. This design minimizes surfaces that can reflect radar signals back to the sender, making the aircraft harder to detect.
Additioy, the NGAD could incorporate adaptive materials and smart skins capable of altering their shape or characteristics to optimize aerodynamic performance and stealth across a range of conditions. Imagine an aircraft that can subtly change its shape in flight to minimize drag or enhance lift, adapting in real-time to mission requirements.
Propulsion technology for the NGAD will be another area of innovation. To maintain air superiority, the engine design will likely focus on higher thrust-to-weight ratios, increased fuel efficiency, and perhaps even variable cycle technology, allowing the aircraft to seamlessly switch between modes optimized for high speed or efficiency as needed.
In terms of armament, the NGAD might integrate next-generation weapons systems, including directed energy weapons (lasers) and hypersonic missiles, requiring internal carriage to maintain stealth. This necessitates a design that balances payload capacity with aerodynamic efficiency
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Furthermore, the concept of a "loyal wingman" – unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) operating in concert with manned NGAD fighters – might influence the design. This would require the NGAD to function not only as a formidable combat platform in its own right but also as a node in a broader, integrated network, capable of commanding drones and coordinating with other assets across domains.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will be integral to the NGAD, enhancing pilot decision-making, sensor fusion, and targeting. The design might include provisions for an advanced cockpit with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) interfaces, providing pilots with unprecedented situational awareness and control
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The possible shapes of the NGAD fighter, therefore, represent more than just physical forms; they embody a confluence of advanced technologies and concepts, aiming to maintain air superiority in the face of evolving threats. As we stand on the brink of this new era, the NGAD promises to be as revolutionary in design as it is in capability, setting a new standard for future combat aircraft.
This week in aviation history
25 March 1968: The skies over Tiger Island (Cồn Cỏ), just off North Vietnam's coast, witnessed a groundbreaking moment in aerial combat history. Amidst the cover of darkness and beneath overcast skies, an F-111A, bearing the serial 66-0018, soared into the annals of military aviation. Colonel Ivan H. “Ike” Dethman and Captain Richard M. Matteis piloted this General Dynamics marvel, marking the F-111A's debut in combat as it unleashed its fury on a North Vietnamese munitions dump.
Their mission, executed with precision, was a dance of technology and bravery. The aircraft, laden with twelve 750-pound M117 bombs, cut through the night at an astonishing speed of 500 knots (approximately 575 mph or 926 km/h), merely 500 feet above the ground. The target approach was meticulously planned from the west, demonstrating the capabilities of the F-111A's advanced navigation and bombing systems. Colonel Dethman's later recount to the press captured the moment succinctly: as the computers aligned the crosshairs over the target, the command was given, and the bombs were released, disappearing into the darkness below.
Despite the weather's obstruction to immediate damage assessment, the mission's success was undoubted. It was the first of four single-aircraft sorties that night, a testament to the strategic significance and operational flexibility of the F-111As, specifically the six "Combat Lancer" aircraft under Colonel Dethman's command. These missions were part of a larger narrative, one that saw the F-111A transition from a subject of controversy to a symbol of tactical innovation.
The F-111A, birthed from the ambitious TFX program, represented a confluence of roles—fighter, interceptor, tactical bomber, and nuclear delivery system. It was a technical marvel that faced early skepticism due to cost overruns and design challenges. Yet, in the crucible of combat, its value was proven beyond doubt. The aircraft's design, featuring variable-sweep wings and a crew escape module, coupled with its terrain-following radar and inertial guidance system, allowed for low-altitude, high-speed missions that evaded enemy radar with unparalleled efficacy.
Tragically, the early days of operation saw the loss of two F-111As, with their crews never found, and a third experiencing a catastrophic failure attributed to a hydraulic issue. Yet, these setbacks could not overshadow the F-111A's strategic successes. Its return to Vietnam in 1972 and the execution of over 4,000 combat sorties during Operations Linebacker I and II underscored its pivotal role in modern aerial warfare.
The F-111A's journey from skepticism to acclaim is a story of technological triumph, strategic foresight, and the unyielding spirit of those who flew into the unknown. Serial 66-0018's conversion to an EF-111A Raven and its final retirement to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base serves as a poignant coda to the legacy of an aircraft that forever changed the face of combat aviation.
In case you missed it
Here’s my video on the F-111, including its development and operational history:
Photo Outlet
A US Coast Guard Dolphin Helicopter, note the longhorns on the tail, this aircraft is based out of Texas.
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. If you’d like to directly support my efforts, check out my shop:
Now you know!
-Tog