Year of the NGAD and looking back at an F-4 MiG kill
Year of the NGAD and looking back at an F-4 MiG kill
2024 will be crucial for the NGAD and looking back at a Phantom getting a MiG Kill over the skies of Southeast Asia
“Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence”.
— Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 14 March 1933.
Mission Briefing
We’ve made it to 2024, and the U.S. Air Force is on the brink of a revolutionary leap in aviation technology. They're gearing up to make a groundbreaking decision: selecting the contractor for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. This marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards a 6th generation state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, a project shrouded in secrecy but buzzing with potential.
In May of last year, the Air Force initiated this monumental step by issuing a classified request for NGAD’s engineering and manufacturing development. The goal? To bring to life an advanced sixth-generation aircraft, envisioned to supersede the venerable F-22 Raptor. The ambitious plan is to have this cutting-edge fighter ready for production by the decade's end.
But NGAD isn’t just any aircraft; it's a vision for a “family of systems”. This includes a manned fighter at its core, complemented by a fleet of drone wingmen – known as collaborative combat aircraft. The design also integrates enhanced sensor capabilities and sophisticated connectivity with satellites and other aircraft.
In a move to ensure continual innovation and cost efficiency, the Air Force revealed that NGAD will embrace open-architecture standards. Yet, many of the program’s specifics remain a tightly guarded secret for security reasons.
2023 brought a twist in the tale when Northrop Grumman opted out of the NGAD contract race, seemingly setting the stage for a showdown between aerospace giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Though stepping back from the Air Force's version, Northrop Grumman, under CEO Kathy Warden, hinted at interest in the Navy's variant of NGAD, the F/A-XX.
Looking ahead to 2024, there's another exciting development: a significant boost in investment for the propulsion technology destined for NGAD. Dubbed the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP), this system is a melting pot of cutting-edge research, featuring high-temperature resilient composite materials and a unique adaptive capability. This technology enables the engine to optimize thrust and efficiency dynamically, depending on the situation.
Reflecting the importance of this propulsion system, the Air Force earmarked a substantial $595 million in their fiscal 2024 budget for NGAP, marking a notable increase from the previous year.
So, as we stand at the cusp of this new era in military aviation, the stage is set for a technological marvel that could redefine air dominance for the U.S. Air Force. I’m working on a video all about this and more - stay tuned!
This week in aviation history
8 January 1973: In the skies over Southeast Asia, a realm where aerial combat was not just a matter of technology, but of skill, courage, and split-second decisions. On this particular day, an event unfolded that would etch itself into the annals of military aviation history.
In the lead was Captain Paul D. Howman and his wingman, First Lieutenant Lawrence W. Kullman. They were part of the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, under the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. The aircraft of choice? The formidable McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom II, tail number 65-0796. These pilots, using the call sign CRAFTY ONE, were soaring through the skies on a combat air patrol mission in Route Pack III, an area known for intense aerial engagements.
Below them, cutting through the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, was a U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, RED CROWN. This vessel played a crucial role that day, offering radar support that would prove pivotal in the events to come.
Now, picture the night sky, dark and ominous. CRAFTY, a pair of F-4 Phantoms, were embarking on a night mission, their objective? To provide cover for B-52 strikes. Their journey took them through the "Gorilla's Head", a strategic entry point into North Vietnamese airspace. Their patrol zone? Approximately 70 miles southwest of Hanoi.
Captain Howman, the pilot of CRAFTY ONE, with Lieutenant Kullman as his back seater, would soon find themselves in a situation that would test their mettle. Only five minutes after establishing their Combat Air Patrol (CAP), RED CROWN alerted them to a potential threat: a MiG, airborne from Phuc Yen and heading towards the strike force. The chase was on.
CRAFTY ONE and TWO descended, speeding at 400 knots, with RED CROWN guiding their path. At a critical moment, they were cleared to engage. Captain Howman's narrative of the ensuing dogfight is nothing short of cinematic. Spotting the afterburner plume of the MiG, he maneuvered into position. At a mere 4 miles distance, traveling at over 900 knots, Howman fired. The missile arced through the air, narrowly missing its target. Missiles had a notoriously high failure rate in the Vietnam conflict.
But Captain Howman was undeterred. Another missile was launched, this time finding its mark. The MiG was struck in the fuselage, erupting into a fiery spectacle, breaking apart in the night sky.
This moment marked a significant chapter in the USAF's history in Southeast Asia. The MiG-21 downed by Howman and Kullman was the last air-to-air victory by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. For their bravery and skill, both men were awarded the Silver Star.
But what of the aircraft, the trusty Phantom 65-0796? It continued to serve valiantly for seventeen more years before being retired. Today, it stands as a silent sentinel at William E. Dyess Elementary School in Abilene, Texas, a testament to a bygone era of aerial combat.
This gripping account, filled with courage, skill, and the harrowing realities of aerial combat, is beautifully captured in "The Tale of Two Bridges ; and The Battle for the Skies Over North Vietnam," penned by Major A. J. C. Lavalle of the USAF. In the book, he encapsulates not just the facts, but the very essence of this historic encounter.
In case you missed it
Here’s a long form video about the B-1 Lancer aka the BONE:
Photo Outlet
The Thunderbirds doing what they do best:
Post Flight Debrief
2024 will be an interesting year on many fronts, keep looking for newsletter issues every Tuesday in your inbox.
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