NGAD: Does America Really Need a “Manned” 6th Generation Fighter?

The NGAD Question: Can Unmanned Fighter Jets Outperform Manned Ones?

Unmanned fighter jets have been flying successfully for years, thanks to breakthroughs in autonomous navigation and AI-enabled computing. But this raises the question: is a manned NGAD 6th-generation fighter actually necessary?

While AI-generated computing and algorithms can perform limitless amounts of procedural functions, analysis, and determinations without needing human intervention, there are specific elements of human cognition and dynamic decision-making that computers simply cannot emulate. Therefore, human decision-making will remain critical for the foreseeable future.

Manned-Unmanned Teaming

The optimal approach to crafting future warfare tactics involves a combination of both human decision-making faculties and AI-empowered computer analysis. Both are needed, and the combination of the two is seen as the optimal approach.

There is also an aerial command and control element, meaning there will be a need for a manned aircraft to function in a critical, time-sensitive command and control capacity from the air. The Air Force is already building Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), essentially drones to fly in support of a manned NGAD 6th-generation fighter operating in a command and control capacity.

Operating as a “family of systems,” the CCAs will support a manned NGAD 6th-gen fighter to conduct forward surveillance, test enemy air defenses, network with ground forces, and even deliver weapons strikes when directed by a human.

So, while unmanned systems can perform a growing range of functions without needing human intervention, there are attributes unique to human cognition that computers are simply not able to replicate. The optimal approach involves a combination of both human decision-making faculties and AI-empowered computer analysis.