The U.S. Air Force and Navy have begun to experiment and plan concepts for a future next-generation fighter aircraft that features capacities beyond the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, Scout Warrior reported Saturday.
The aircraft currently in the earliest stages of conceptual development is projected to emerge in the mid 2030s and the two service branches look to determine technologies and features for potential integration into the future platform.
“We have started experimentation, developmental planning and technology investment,” said Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, military deputy at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, told Scout Warrior in an interview.
Navy officials noted the new platform will succeed the service branch’s current fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft which will be retired in 2035.
Analysts have predicted future sixth-generation aircraft concepts to feature next-generation technologies such as electronically-configured smart skins, maximum sensor connectivity and super cruise capacities, the report noted.