The Air Force plans to buy 200 new stealth fighters and more

[@ChessIsJustAGame]

My cousin was working on the SW for drones, including the wingman concept in the early 1980's. SW development could only be done as a computer simulation. Back then, it took many hours to perform a few seconds of flight. Computers have come a long way since then which makes this tech viable. My cousin has already retired, nearly 9 years ago, before being able to see his work in use outside a computer simulation.

[@randallturner9094]

Really! I did some work with flocking algorithms, developing some code by Reynolds, the guy who wrote the CG flocking algorithms for Jurassic Park. Also some flight sim work, which is more classic physics modeling. But that was then years later, mid-90’s. Actual dogfighting AI is surprisingly simple. But you have to get the “future avoidance” algorithms right. 😛 (anti-collision code)

[@srcastic8764]

I doubt your cousin did this as if he told you he’d be in federal prison and black helos would come to your house. Programs like that are beyond top secret. The President doesn’t even know details of them, if he knows of them at all. The workers live in Las Vegas and fly to work each day on a white jet so they don’t know where they’re going. It’s callsign is Janus airlines. I’ve known guys who did it in the military and they can’t tell you what programs they worked on even though the programs are out now. And I got news for you, it still takes hours to get a few minutes of flight, on any jet. They all have dozens of maintenance hours for every flight hour.

[@srcastic8764]

@@randallturner9094 I built the pilot relief tube, aka the piss tube. The old ones were too short in some cases. My innovation was to make it 6” longer to fit those who flew to make up for other shortcomings. 😂

[@BradChadley]

​@@srcastic8764 Theyre talking about jets in simulations, not on the ground. It used to take hours or days to model just a few moments of flight. It was very slow. They can now model in real-time, making it significantly easier and faster to develop new aircraft. The unmanned wingman concept is not new and is very public. If they did work on this project, theyre probably allowed to say that. What they wouldn't be allowed to do is discuss the actual algorithms and code itself that they wrote for the project. That's the top secret part. It's like with the F35, someone can talk about their role in its development or maintenence, but cannot disclose many of the systems that plane employs and knowledge in regard to those planes is highly compartmentalized. Ai wingman are not a black project, even if the mechanisms that make them work are kept secret.

[@brad8749]

​@@srcastic8764 smoke another one bud

[@luigimrlgaming9484]

There goes the air-force budget

[@williamcordell5548]

Like a hot hooker money well spent. end result f**k up the enemy better fubar .

[@luigimrlgaming9484]

@@tuvoca825 it’s still a lot of planes and there goes there budget for a whole fiscal year.

[@BoxheadHakx]

Who? Hahahahaha *laughs in Army, and Navy*

[@Borgforce]

Nah, just the portion that goes for the fancy hotels… they’ll have to slum it like everyone else from now on…

[@luigimrlgaming9484]

@@Borgforce No I mean the entire budget

[@vivalasvegas702]

NGAD is such a cool acronym, especially what “D” stands for…DOMINANCE👌

[@Gyyghhhhjjjkk]

@Richard Hedd I don’t think it will fail. Huge power boost normally costs a lot more. F35 is kinda in the middle being cheaper and powerful. Don’t know how the ngad will turn out

[@Gyyghhhhjjjkk]

@Richard Hedd meeting program goals is easy but money wise idk. We will have to see. F35 is doing just fine and even better now. What I suspect is that they build the ngad thing. Nothing can compete it and they drop the production half way through and go on to seventh gen fighters instead

[@keirfarnum6811]

And our opponents have a program called “NGAS”; “Next Generation Air Submission.” 😁

[@keirfarnum6811]

@Richard Hedd Except they’ve already flown an NGAD prototype. It’s much easier to conceive and build such advanced technology these days due to advancements in computing and manufacturing. Cynical much?

[@kobetakemura5179]

@Richard Hedd pierre sprey is that you?

[@leeofallon9258]

I am enthused by the wing-drone partnership: lots of possibilities!

[@MrGrandure]

I need a drone wingman for my wife

[@user-td1zo3tv9p]

Why? Are YOU unable to sexually service her the way you SHOULD?

[@darrellgrant7615]

😂

[@svtrunner]

Possibly the funniest comment ever!

[@rlicon1970]

Good one

[@davegordon6943]

need a Chinook for mine

[@michaeldoyle2725]

Before I die I just want to see the badass looking planes we have.

[@Phildo8]

Right!! They say that our technology is what some 15yrs ahead of what is publicly shown?

[@evrydayamerican]

Agreed we pay for them we should see what we bought.

[@jayhope615]

​@@Phildo8dude no..What you see is what we have.. Technology is pretty much at it's limit with the f-35,and it's not that impressive.

[@trplankowner3323]

@@jayhope615 lol, that was an amazingly ignorant reply.

[@hxnterr_eth]

@@jayhope615 lol f35 is the most advanced fighter jet and bro said it’s not that impressive. 💀

[@grootygroot6351]

I work in navy aviation. These jets are absolutely fascinating. I love the super hornet and 35’s.

[@Synin419]

Yeah the NGAD program also consists of the B-21 and MQ-20 Predator C “Avenger.” It’s a whole family of systems that include the F-X and the Loyal Wingman program.

[@NoName-sb9tp]

Ace Combat 7 pilots: *look nervously*

[@mikeprez6562]

Can't wait to see this playing and what it can do. I hope we get it sooner than later. We're going to need it in the indo-pacific.

[@marksanney2088]

Thank for another interesting video, my friend. This is outstanding news! Hopefully, the DoD and the involved contractors will employ greater security measures to adequately guard the technological research and science surrounding this new aircraft. 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

[@kingmike40]

Can't even pay interest on the national debt but they have money for a billion dollar aircraft. The threat is on the inside. Never learn

[@lawrenceralph7481]

The threat is inside until it isn't. Then the hoards rape your neighbors. Wake up to your own history.

[@stevegorr4262]

Explains why I as a vet have been turned down for social security again for the tenth year in a row.

[@quasimotto8653]

What does being a vet have to do with getting Soc Sec? Are you 65? Are you disabled?

[@thomassnow202]

Sorry brother, time to get a new ( Jewish ) civil attorney❗🤔 God bless them people❗they've been through so much and did nothing❗I'm a big Israeli sympathizer and Love the Jewish people who have been persocuted and murdered for years for obeying GOD and his ten commandments❗ I'm so glad to see them say.... ENOUGH❗and show the world they are a smart , god fearing, And when pushed can wipe out most military s that run there mouths how tough they are❗

[@shockblockjohnson4599]

​@@thomassnow202 Why were they persecuted by everybody?

[@Goldn177]

I’m sorry Sir, our country has gone down the drain. All the working class men and women were born before the 80s and now we are left with my generation, the most ungrateful, unwilling and most self centered I’ve seen in my 20 years of living. My father told me by the time I’d have access to social security deposits for my future, that it would all be gone. He sure is looking right unfortunately, more than it, I hope you find the aid that you deserve Sir, thank you for your service ❤

[@springbloom5940]

Yup

[@christiantroy3034]

Yea, remember the F22, we will get 100 & 150 and be happy. And the Marine Corps will get a new rifle cleaning brush NGRB with self application NGCLP containers

[@stephenwalker6939]

How many F22s do we need? We built over 200 and have 185 in active service, that's more than the total number of planes most countries have in total. We only stopped producing them because were already working on the next generation. If you had a son or daughter in the cockpit, you'd want them to have every advantage I'd think.

[@danielch6662]

​@@stephenwalker6939 just let skynet fly the planes. Then no pilot need to die. Politicians can have as many wars as they list without the costs.

[@springbloom5940]

NGRB killed me

[@Frozander]

​@@danielch6662 if we could, we would. Communications are not good or fast enough for remote controlled fighters. What is needed is to make AI controlled fighters which are on the way. US is already testing modified fighters (I think it was F-16s) with AI pilot software. As soon as AI is better than a pilot US will ditch the pilots. However in the close future AI aircraft will be wingmen, meaning less pilots needed and you can sacrifice the AI wingmen to save the human pilot's life.

[@craighalpin1917]

It's like the old games where you fly around shooting everything getting upgraded weapons... Eventually getting extra shooting pods revolving around your aircraft which also act as a shield

[@champnomnom7764]

Watch it turn out to be 50 next gen and then 300 buddy drones in the end

[@mendoblendo321]

Welder for Lockheed Martin. The stuff we have but people never see is unreal. ;)

[@makoalistman6454]

Darkstar??

[@matsv201]

Sweden and france developed a utmanad wingman in 2016 (well 2016 was first flight) so that is a concept that been around for a while now.

[@markdraycott3974]

Wait, so the plane has 2 drones watching its back? That’s like something out of a movie 👊🏻

[@michaelstora70]

My prediction. They planes will actually be good but they will be dragged through the mud by the media. The order will gradually dwindle from 200 to 20, each having an astronomical price tag consisting mostly of 1/20th of the development costs.

[@stevethomas5857]

Love more about NGAD, stealth, and advanced missles

[@bobsterclause342]

now everyone is a rouge squadron leader. up for attack, left for fattack ormation, back for fall out,/ fform up and right for defensive formation.

[@chrisslupski1525]

Everyone should be a controller on the ground with the infantry, then they will advocate for a ground attack plane ( A 10) that saves lives and wins battles instead of pissing away all the money on shiny new toys

[@juretratnik647]

In conclusion...War thunder is getting an update

[@I_Came_With_Fire_Podcast]

What do you think about the ARRW program getting cut?

[@chrisperez1004]

So are the drones under the command direction of the piloted aircraft? Are they like “caddies” to carry/fire more more missiles for the pilot, if so very idea

[@vernongandy9026]

Read Dale Brown books. They have tons of high-tech AI wingman. Funny how the military catches up to science fiction.

[@boejiden7093]

My neighbor who was a WW2 vet was already astonished by the F-22. He would always wish they had that back during the war. The NGAD is probably something out of his dreams.

[@cccalifornia7206]

Very exciting to know we will have these NEW STEALTH FIGHTER' S!!! 💖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👊😉

[@wisenber]

The Air Force can intend to do all sorts of things. Congress can squash that intention like a bug.

[@xdmztryvsvedine2773]

Drone wingman for jets sounds pretty cool.

[@palehorseman8386]

What would be cool is an AWACS style plane to manage about a dozen of these drones for missions

[@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864]

Yeah I was at Langley when they cut Raptor Purchase down to 300, then to the 180 something we have!Left Langley in 10, so not sure where they ended up! NO WHERE near where they said! I’ll tell you that!

[@flossordie2256]

But that was because the Soviet union fell apart. We are going into Cold war 2.0 this time. So unless China collapses I'll bet they stick with this.

[@jmac051]

It's different now there wasn't any competition back then and we weren't on the brink of war with a rival

[@randallturner9094]

@@jmac051 actually, it’s not different at all. F-22 was because we elected stupid.

[@jmac051]

@@randallturner9094 we didn't because that congress was the one that voted not to sell the technology which has kept it the best most invisible jet to date still unmatched it was just really expensive and it's competition was non existent so why spend 200-300 million per jet when we dont need it and won't need it for decades it literally got its first kill in like 20yrs plus and it was a balloon what a month ago finances matter if it was now where China is acting up they would definitely get it to the numbers they want

[@randallturner9094]

@@jmac051 1) Periods (.) are your friend! (I know, grammar nazi, but seriously that was one sentence? Jay, you’re killing me.) 2) The wisdom of restricting export of sensitive technology isn’t the issue. 3) The underlying philosophy behind F-22 cancellation was the “end of history” meme. On a cost effectiveness basis the F-22’s one of the cheapest combat aircraft ever, not even counting deterrence value. (And your cost’s wrong fwiw, even for limited initial production run.) And now we’re forced to buy more of the plane it was intended to replace. Because the “end of history” disappearance of all geopolitical enemies didn’t materialize.

[@michaelbosisto6259]

Those are soft numbers to give to the makers so that can somewhat get a feel of the scale in which the initial delivery should look like.

[@Steph.98114]

Wonder if it will be compatible with the new MQ-28A Ghost Bat that we have been deavloping here in Australia

[@trplankowner3323]

My understanding is that the USAF intends to have Boeing build what is essentially a copy of the Ghost Bat for them. Keeping in mind that the MQ-28's design is highly flexible, it will basically be a MQ-28 built in Seattle with add on modules made specifically for the USAF. It's also possible that at least the initial production run will be airframes produced in Australia with the USAF modules made in Seattle or wherever Boeing has them built. Furthermore, that flexibility allows for the modules to be built by any ally almost any where. Those modules may end up being somewhat like the F-35, ubiquitous in the Western alliances.

[@LowSparkofHighHeeledBoys]

Hey, I saw that movie. It was called stealth. The drone wingman went crazy. But he ended up learning in the end. 😮

[@vlassg.shabolin7632]

These drones will protect the pilots and not only destroy the air predators but, tear the ground up perfectly for farming. Never thought I’d see such in my life time. Nightmares come true. It a, “next”.

[@stanleyrichardfunk5269]

Interesting knowledge!

[@deansmith4549]

We should All have a "drone of our own" 😂

[@DezaltOfTheDreg]

It's called your smartphone

[@DavidRLentz]

Well, this is interesting. Each pilot multiplies him/herself

[@darhammora7867]

A death spiral has already started, just like with F-22, from 750 desired initially, or at least 381 at the end of the cold war to 187 ultimately acquired, the same with NGAD, back in 2018 the USAF said they wanted 414 PCA ( the manned part of the NGAD), to 200 now!!

[@vanringo]

And I think of the movie Stealth that had an autonomous stealth fighter that was supposed to follow commands from humans, but took battle damage and went off to do its own thing.

[@cmendoza1094]

Swarm tactics like in No Way Home. That’s the future

[@gothicbuzzsaw]

Funnels are not far out once this is "perfected"

[@howdywowey2165]

Necessary in order to keep air dominance for our next airwar.

[@logvoid1559]

Dark star looking thing

[@qsartwrx]

SWARM technique, just fewer but with larger aircraft.

[@dreamhunter2973]

Didn't they first say that The NGAD won't replace the Raptor fleet 1-on-1..!?

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

Soon they'll have F16 drones with Maverick AI

[@James7995]

The Maverick AI program was deemed too reckless to make it past the initial testing phase. The AI often ignored direct orders and was always pushing the drones “to the limit” as it “wrote checks its body couldn’t cash.” Since being mothballed, some at the DOD want to resurrect the program for missions that have a low, or even impossible, chance for success.

[@ruthlessrubberducky5729]

​@James Galligan I can easily see them put the programming into aging fighters on the verge of retirement anyways if we go into a large scale war and want to use wave tactics.

[@Agatesforbrains]

It's stacking so far and fast, I wouldn't want to be playing against us... drones, RDE, B2, B21, F22, F35, NGAD plus fleet of AI wingmen. Take the air, then use that to pound the ground until nice and tender, then move in to deal with the remains. Wouldn't want to be our enemy...

[@leonelbetancourt2104]

I feel like the only useful thing ide care about would be missile defense, better early warning systems maybe

[@michaelgormel7223]

Alex, I've been really asking myself why the Air force And Navy, haven't thought about giving 4th gen platform upgrades with thrust vectoring and new engines

[@paulabrannan1111]

Airframe not up to it sir

[@Lailas776]

3D thrust vectoring on an F16😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂😂😂 the airframe would tear itself apart.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

There's no point in trying to upgrade forty-year-old airplanes.

[@jhunelee9008]

my god , it's like a story plot from a 1980s sci Fi movie,

[@jaredpodgorny6779]

Who will pilot them?

[@guptatroll2581]

2 per aircraft? I was hoping it would be 5 loyal wingman drones per F-35/NGAD

[@jeffreywong5112]

Just like gradius. Also the new planes looks like gradius.

[@arnulfomanuel6340]

It's about time dart Vader is on the rampage!!

[@Ilyak1986]

No, that's only when we got the concept on planet Earth. The concept has been in Strangereal for quite a while now ^_^

[@brianwilliams9431]

Now all I keep seeing happening is what happen in the movie stealth

[@Supertrump.2024]

I don't care, I just want to SEE WHAT THE DAMM THING LOOKS LIKE.

[@dianapennepacker6854]

I feel like we have enough fighters. How many do we need in the fleet FFS. Save the cash for NGAD.

[@squareheadjack1918]

How come the navy isn’t working on drone ships? Why shouldn’t every DDG escort two drone ships packed to the gunnels with missiles.

[@jamesenos6366]

He who owns the highground owns the battlefield I don't know who said that but it sounds good

[@michaelgormel7223]

And, what does the Flying Missile Rail do?

[@andyhuang1505]

How effective would this fighter be though. Wouldn't it's maneuverability be a lot worse since it doesn't have any rudders? If it gets in a dog fight it would be really hard to shoot accurately at an enemy jet.

[@aaronefung8706]

only animation of ngad. 2 engines initially , now only can afford single engine,a water down at best

[@Chad-xh8zs]

They should repeat the same brilliant pattern with the raptor and make 200 then shut down the production line forever and make them impossible to replace and maintain

[@the2wheelsnowman]

Am I crazy or does this look kinda like the dark star from the new top gun

[@orlock20]

The Apaches have had the Loyal Wingman program for over 10 years. The Air Force needs to step up its game.

[@Robert-tt5tg]

Keep up the good work

[@wayausofbounds9255]

200? This is going to be like the F-22 in 10 years. Need more but production is shut down. They need to do 200 initial and then enough each year to keep the production line active.

[@richardmartin3243]

The problem I have with it is it costs too much money and it takes them too long to produce it the outer be able to produce 100 of them within one day for that price

[@Defender78]

Due to the eventual cost creep and budget cuts and redesigns and inflated costs of R& D, instead of having 3 loyal wingmen per NGAD/F-35 there will be one loyal wingman drones shared by three F-35s

[@lh1229]

YF23 coming back?

[@simonhansen1942]

That's a lot of popped balloons.

[@donatzerodayslife]

😂

[@vulcandawg7623]

Stealth movie but irl

[@mENTALdRIFTER]

If F35 is "the quarterback of the skies" then i guess NGAD is the Coach

[@relaxedmuffin3666]

Everyone should have the right to bear drone wingmens.

[@DarkMatterX1]

It's been flying, at least at scaled factor, since 2020.

[@highjix]

can you show us that tom cat picture from behind you?

[@keirfarnum6811]

EDI in da house! “No Dave, I can’t do that.” Doh! That’s HAL.

[@charlesmeckler8683]

Yep after cost overruns etc ,it'll be about 25

[@evilfingers4302]

This concept reminds me of the 1992 Macross II Japanese Anime

[@mattkelly2004]

That 200 has already been twiddled down to 80-90 planes lol

[@YdnarLah37]

So, if we get into a real shooting war where we don't all die in the first three minutes by a big bright light, then how easily could we build more of these wonderful toys to replace all the one's that get destroyed? How's that for a run-on sentence.

[@johnsantos764]

better start work on that drone refueler. that's a lot of juice

[@patrickhorvath2684]

I think they have that

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

U.s. Navy already has drones tankers.

[@stephicohu]

Can you say ka cling! This will be an increase in the military’s budget.

[@sabergolbaf1364]

Where the money is going to come from?

[@kerrykeene6471]

I wonder if one of the drones will get the call sign Tin Man, from the movie STEALTH.

[@TamagoHead]

Glad Alex’s voice cleared up. My neighbor and I have had scratchy voice w/no other symptoms. Sounds sexier (not).

[@xxmrrickxx]

It makes me wonder if we are getting out of hand with technological complexity. In peer to peer conflict, this fancy tech will eventually be lost. The economic burden of producing something like this at one unit per week would not be possible under a war economy (we can't even produce F-22s in peacetime). The US would be scavenging 4th gen fighters within a year of a major conflict.

[@makoalistman6454]

Am i trippin or does that look like the darkstar from topgun

[@chrisslupski1525]

How many soldiers lives has the A10 saved Bet we could buy 150 of them and maintain them for 20 years for the price of just one of those toys

[@poolchuck66]

Not enough plains. Just look at the problems with F22. Not enough plains to meet commitments or are operationally ready

[@tovarish_kommandir]

Proof that it's operational? Is there even a prototype?

[@nephi5059]

Sounds tough, but why

[@AverageGuy916]

Yeah it looks all nice and dandy but unfortunately we can't afford it.

[@michaeloppenheimer2582]

Air Force's not going to tell you how many of these they are going to buy, play whatever number they tell you multiply it by 3 or by 5 and that will be closer to the truth !!!

[@eyewiggles]

Remember that movie Stealth? AI controlled stealth fighter...that becomes sentient.

[@Harry._.Thompson]

What’s the point in a fighter pilot?

[@Istandby666]

If they say 200, it will be more around 35.

[@mr.rubicon1193]

So... then next gen fighters should be fast dog fighters.