US to take 'hard look' at fighter project, top official says

21/7/2024 12:51

        The U.S. will closely dissect its plans for a Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform - a future family of fighters and drones - before deciding whether to go ahead, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said on Saturday.
        
        The cost of the future F-22 replacement has come under scrutiny after topping $300 million each, three times the cost of an F-35. But Kendall also highlighted evolving threats, in an apparent reference to rapidly arming China.
        
        The idea of using drones or Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will remain part of the proposed initiatives, he said.
        
        "Before we make the commitment that we are close to making, we want to make sure we have got the right design concept," Kendall said at Britain's Royal International Air Tattoo, the world's largest military air show.