US Lockheed eyes "supercharged" F-35, F-22 fighter jets with advanced technologies

In a recent article, Defence News highlights that US defence and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin is shifting gears after its unsuccessful bid for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme, planning to inject cutting-edge sixth-generation technologies into its F-35 and F-22 fighter jets. 

The company aims to transform these fifth-generation jets into next-level, "supercharged" platforms that promise to deliver advanced capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet confirmed the company would not contest the Air Force’s March 21 decision to award the F-47 contract to Boeing. Instead, Lockheed will focus on modernising the F-35 and F-22 platforms by incorporating sixth-generation capabilities.

“There are techniques and capabilities … that were developed for [our NGAD bid] that we can now apply here,” Taiclet explained. “We’re basically going to take the [F-35′s] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari.” He added that these upgrades would deliver “80% of the capability, potentially, at 50% of the cost per unit aircraft.”

Lockheed is already working on advanced technologies for the F-35’s Block 4 upgrades, which include better passive infrared sensors and enhanced stealth capabilities. These features, combined with autonomous drone wingman control, will position the F-35 as a more lethal platform.

Taiclet described the potential upgraded F-35s as “fifth-generation-plus,” a term akin to Boeing’s F-15EX, a modernised version of the fourth-generation F-15 with advanced fifth-generation technologies.

Lockheed hopes to export many of these advancements to allied nations purchasing the F-35, though the US government will have the final say on what can be exported.

Taiclet also noted that the company is analysing feedback from the Air Force regarding the NGAD decision but refrained from commenting on specific details due to its classified nature.

By Naila Huseynova