SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a strategic response to losing the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract to Boeing’s F-47, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet has outlined an ambitious plan to transform the F-35 Lightning II into a “fifth-generation plus” platform, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to sixth-generation fighters. Speaking at Bernstein’s Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, 2025, Taiclet hinted that new customers, including India, could be offered this enhanced F-35 variant, featuring superior stealth capabilities, new radar-absorbent coatings, and advanced technologies to bridge the gap with next-generation fighters.
With no new sixth-generation fighter or bomber contracts on the horizon, Lockheed Martin is doubling down on its flagship F-35 program, integrating cutting-edge technologies to maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving global defense landscape.
The F-35, already a cornerstone of modern air forces with over 1,100 aircraft delivered globally, is set to undergo a transformative upgrade that Taiclet has likened to turning the jet’s “chassis into a Ferrari” or a “NASCAR upgrade.” This “fifth-generation plus” variant aims to deliver approximately 80% of the capabilities of Boeing’s F-47, the Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter, at half the cost—potentially under $150 million per unit compared to the F-47’s estimated $300 million price tag. The enhancements leverage technologies developed during Lockheed’s unsuccessful NGAD bid, as well as ongoing F-35 Block 4 upgrades, to create a highly capable, exportable platform tailored to meet the needs of allies like India, Saudi Arabia, and others.
Key upgrades include:
- Enhanced Stealth Capabilities: New radar-absorbent coatings and potential adjustments to the F-35’s outer mold line, such as engine inlets and outflow nozzles, will improve its low-observable characteristics, making it harder for adversaries to detect. These advancements draw from stealth technologies developed for Lockheed’s NGAD prototype, which aimed to penetrate heavily defended airspace.
- Optionally Manned Operations: Taiclet revealed that the F-35 could become pilot-optional within a “relatively modest time frame,” building on autonomy software developed for NGAD. This capability would allow the jet to operate as an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), enhancing its versatility in high-risk missions.
- Advanced Sensors and Weapons: The upgraded F-35 will integrate improved passive infrared sensors for long-range target detection without revealing its position, alongside sixth-generation tracking systems and longer-range weapons. These enhancements aim to enable the F-35 to engage enemies before they can respond, a hallmark of next-generation air dominance.
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The F-35 is expected to control collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) or “loyal wingman” drones, a feature already demonstrated with the Royal Netherlands Air Force. This capability, potentially integrated into the airframe without external pods, will enhance the jet’s role as a “digital quarterback” in networked warfare.
- Digital Backbone and AI: Incorporating NGAD’s digital architecture, including artificial intelligence and enhanced networking, will improve the F-35’s sensor fusion and interoperability with other platforms, ensuring it remains competitive through the 2030s.
India, a key focus of Lockheed Martin’s export strategy, has been offered a pathway to acquire the F-35, with Taiclet describing the F-21—a modified F-16 variant—as a “stepping stone” to the stealth fighter. In February and April 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reiterated offers to sell the F-35 to India via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, bypassing India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition. The proposed F-35A variant for India, speculated on X as a potential “F-35D,” could include custom upgrades tailored to counter threats from China and Pakistan, such as enhanced stealth and longer-range weapons suited for the Indo-Pacific theater.
Lockheed Martin’s loss of the NGAD contract to Boeing in March 2025, followed by its elimination from the Navy’s F/A-XX program, marked a significant setback for the company that pioneered fifth-generation fighters with the F-22 Raptor and F-35. The F-47, named in part to honor President Trump and the Air Force’s founding year, is set to become the U.S.’s first sixth-generation fighter, with a planned fleet of 185 aircraft by 2029. Despite this defeat, Taiclet announced that Lockheed would not protest the decision, instead focusing on enhancing its existing platforms, particularly the F-35, to remain competitive.
While Taiclet’s vision is ambitious, challenges remain. The F-35’s airframe, designed in the early 2000s, has known limitations in stealth and reliability compared to newer designs. Integrating sixth-generation technologies without disrupting production or exceeding budget constraints will require careful engineering. Air Force leaders, such as Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, have expressed intrigue but skepticism, noting they have not yet evaluated Lockheed’s proposal in detail. Additionally, export approvals for advanced technologies to countries like India will depend on U.S. government decisions, balancing strategic partnerships with concerns about technology proliferation.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.