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US postpones development of 6th-generation fighter jet indefinitely

It is expected to feature a longer range than current fighter jets, advanced stealth characteristics, and state-of-the-art electronic sensing and warfare capabilities

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. The US Air Force is revising the scope of the top-secret Next-Generation Air Dominance program and moving back awarding a contract, the research group Janes reported, citing an unidentified USAF representative.

"We are pausing source selection of the Next Generation Air Dominance platform as we reconsider the design based on changing threats and affordability," the USAF told Janes on August 1. "Following concept definition, the air force is planning to develop and procure an NGAD platform."

Originally, the NGAD was to enter service around 2023, replacing the F-22 Raptor aircraft and becoming the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet. The work to develop it is kept in the strictest secrecy, so there is no exact information about the aircraft’s desired specifications.

It is expected to feature a longer range than current fighter jets, advanced stealth characteristics, and state-of-the-art electronic sensing and warfare capabilities.

The few available tidbits about the NGAD indicate, for example, that it will be a so-called "system of systems" that will combine the crewed aircraft with other components such as combat support drones dubbed the loyal wingman, which are being developed under the parallel Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The NGAD is also expected to have the capability to utilize satellite data and interface with other air platforms. Last May, the Air Force indicated that the aircraft system will have open architecture. This will keep it technologically up-to-date throughout its service life while reducing repair, maintenance and modernization costs.

In the fiscal year 2024 budget, the US Air Force requested $595 million for the NGAD program. This is an increase of $375 million over the previous fiscal year.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said an NGAD system would cost multiples of the F-35's roughly $80 million price, if the desired performance was accomplished.

Awarding a contract to design and produce a prototype of the future jet had been expected to happen by the end of this year. USAF planned to give the contract either to Boeing or Lockheed Martin.

According to Janes, no revised timeline for the contract has been released.

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The enemy has lost more than 7,800 troops since fighting began in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

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Vietnamese parliament speaker arrives in Moscow on official visit

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Ukrainian drone shot down over Kursk Regions — defense ministry

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Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

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Summer Paralympic Games in Paris declared closed

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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"We continue to have regular communication at various levels, including in very, very sensitive areas," Dmitry Peskov noted

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Russian energy minister anticipates stable fuel prices in long-term perspective

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The IDF has not yet commented the situation

Kremlin spokesman denies Russia meddles in US elections

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Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

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Russian diplomat summoned to Latvian MFA over reports about fallen Russian drone

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

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There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

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Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

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Putin says Russia 'backs' Harris post-Biden exit

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Serbia sees how high Putin values it — deputy PM

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First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

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Plane en route from Moscow to Istanbul makes unplanned landing in Warsaw — website

According to the online service database, the plane is owned by Turkey’s Pegasus

Germany to do its utmost to investigate Nord Stream pipelines blasts — Scholz

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Voting in Russia proceeding without violations — human rights ombudsperson’s office

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Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

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Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

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Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone — rebel representative

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President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan earlier ordered to allocated $5 million to support the campaign