Northrop Grumman Gears Up For Sixth Gen Fighter

Northrop Grumman has dedicated a pair of teams to develop a "sixth-generation" fighter for both the US Navy and Air Force.

Both the Air Force and Navy have begun preliminary planning for what is referred to as next-generation air dominance, or "sixth-generation" fighters, according to Defense News.

After working together on the F-35 joint strike fighter, the two forces are looking at procuring their own respective jets. The Navy's program is dubbed F/A-XX, while the Air Force's effort is known as F-X.

A spokesman for Northrop confirmed that there are individual teams focused on each of the service requirements.

"Northrop Grumman will compete for the next generation fighter," Tom Vice president of Northrop's aerospace division was quoted as saying that.

Northrop is looking at a supersonic, tailless airplane design as a potential solution, something he noted no one has ever done before. "You don't see any supersonic airplanes today without tails," Vice said.

He also stated that making a system optionally manned would be relatively easy for the company.

However, outside analysts have questioned whether Northrop can survive long-term as an attack airframe manufacturer, especially if it loses out on the Air Force's Long Range Strike-Bomber program.

That program is expected to award a contract to either Northrop or its competitor, a team of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, in late spring or early summer.