Key points and summary: The U.S. Air Force faces an important decision: whether to fund the Next Generation Air Superiority (NGAD) program or modernize its aging F-22 Raptor fleet. Retiring the two older F-222s used for training could save $1.8 billion over four years, which could be reallocated to NGAD development.
-NGAD promises unparalleled stealth, AI-driven situational awareness, and drone coordination capabilities.
– But modernization proponents argue that it is more cost-effective to update these F-22s. The Trump administration’s new defense leadership will need to resolve this dilemma, which has far-reaching implications for U.S. air superiority amid growing threats from China and Russia.
– Clarity and strategic prioritization are essential to securing the Air Force’s future capabilities.
Retire old F-22 Raptors to fund NGAD fighters: Air Force’s bold dilemma
The U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Superiority Fighter (NGAD) could cost as much as $300 million each, raising questions about how the new Warbirds would be designed.
As a result, the Pentagon is taking a wait-and-see approach, allowing the new Trump administration to decide whether to continue or cancel the program.
One of Air Force officials’ ideas for funding NGAD is to retire the older F-22 Raptors and use the savings to provide a lifeline to NGAD.
This isn’t a bad idea. Some F-22s are used for training, while others are not in active service.
These planes could be sent to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.
The savings from flying and maintaining these planes could be reprogrammed for NGAD projects.
F-22 Raptor nightmare explained
The Air Force has to make tough decisions, and it’s a nightmare for the F-22 Ratpole.
A $3.5 billion modernization program is needed to make the Raptors’ 32 aging fleet competitive for decades to come.
This group of stealth fighters is not up to par. Choosing to cancel the renewal project would save $1.8 billion over four years. This money could be funneled into the NGAD program.
What’s so great about NGAD?
NGAD has many possibilities.
The plane is stealthier than the F-22, already the world’s best radar-evading fighter.
It provides artificial intelligence to enable a “smarter” cockpit and provide pilots with unparalleled situational awareness.
NGAD also plans to operate tethered drone or drone flights in an arrangement called “Royal Wingman.”
The unmanned aircraft could fly ahead of NGAD to gather intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data, perform target acquisition, and conduct electronic warfare.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs a heritage flight during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at Miramar Base, San Diego, California, September 24, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is the Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft. aircraft. The combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, integrated avionics, and improved support dramatically increases combat capabilities. The 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show theme, “Marines Fight, Evolve, and Win,” reflects the Marine Corps’ continued modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adam Bowles)
NGAD could also be equipped with nuclear-capable hypersonic weapons.
Additionally, other countries such as China and Russia have their own versions of sixth-generation fighters, so the Air Force will need its own fighters to keep up.
Additionally, the U.S. Navy is developing a next-generation fighter called the F/A-XX, which is even more advanced than NGAD.
Together, these programs can save costs and increase manufacturing efficiency.
Updating the F-22 Raptors will cost a lot of money
This group of older F-22s is used for training and is therefore expendable. But many members of the Air Force and members of Congress believe the Raptors should be modernized and remain in the fleet.
They believe this is the most cost-effective way to field more F-22s into active duty.
How about spending the money you save on new bombers or nuclear missiles?
At least one defense analyst at the think tank said the 32 Raptor retirements could be earmarked for building stealthier Raider bombers or for the B-21 program to build additional nuclear missiles. I even think there is.
“It’s hard to believe that this is one of the Air Force’s top priorities. I think the B-21 and Sentinel are higher priorities,” said Mark Cancian, senior adviser for the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. he said.
F-22 Raptor.
This is causing even more confusion. President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is not known for his defense policy views and has not taken a position on NGAD or any defense acquisition program.
Michael Duffy, the Pentagon’s chief acquisition officer, is a potential candidate, but it’s unclear what his leanings are on the future of the F-22 or NGAD. No one has been named Secretary of the Air Force.
NGAD vs. F-22: Who will win?
Decisions on the F-22 and NGAD could take months. But it stands to reason that the savings from retiring 32 F-22s should remain in fighter programs like NGAD.
It’s time to cut up those old F-22s, send them to the boneyard, reprogram the money, and allocate the saved funds to the NGAD project. The new plane is far superior to the F-22 and would be a suitable successor to the F-35.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Josh Gunderson, commander of the F-22 Demo Team, performs a maximum power takeoff during the 67th National Security Forum demonstration at Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, May 13, 2021. Two Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofan engines provide a total of 70,000 pounds of thrust and the aircraft takes off straight vertically. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Don Hudson)
The Department of Defense learned valuable lessons about acquisition mistakes in these programs. The service branch is ready to embrace NGAD and develop for modern times. Yes, there are problems with sixth-generation fighters, but we need clarity from the White House and Capitol Hill.
Defense strategy requires difficult choices
If the Trump team wants to cancel NGAD, the Air Force should upgrade the F-22. But when it comes to NGAD’s future, it’s time to make a decision. China and Russia have no concerns about their sixth-generation fighter programs.
These countries don’t have to deal with fickle legislators. Let’s give the NGAD program another chance and see if engineers can reduce costs and design the program in a meaningful way. Rather than upgrading old fighters, the time has come for new 6th generation fighters.
About the author
Dr. Brent M. Eastwood is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, as well as two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a technology company that uses artificial intelligence to predict world events. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, advising him on defense and foreign policy issues. He taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army infantry officer. You can follow him at X @BMEastwood.
