Exclusive Content

IDGA is proud to release the new edition of its Air Superiority Market Report 2023 - 2028 which provides a comprehensive analysis of the rapidly evolving landscape in military aviation.

Download this Market Report to discover:

• The status of next-generation aircraft programs including the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and others
• An analysis of 6th Generation Aircraft in the US
• A deep-dive into Near Peer Capabilities across China and Russia
• The Next Generation Fighter Aircraft Programs across Europe

In the ever-evolving landscape of aerial warfare, the pursuit of air dominance remains an enduring endeavor for nations worldwide. As we venture into the era of sixth-generation fighter jets, characterized by advanced technologies and unprecedented capabilities, the global stage witnesses a convergence of innovation, strategy, and collaboration.

At the forefront of this paradigm shift stand the United States, China, and Russia, pioneers in the development of fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35, J-20, and SU-57, respectively. Yet, the horizon extends beyond these boundaries, with nations like Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan embarking on ambitious programs to shape the future of aerial combat.

This report delves into the intricate tapestry of sixth-generation fighter jet programs, unveiling a panorama of Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), Future Combat Air System (FCAS), and other initiatives poised to redefine the very essence of air power.

Brigadier General Todd Balfe is the Fighter Capability Special Advisor in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was one of the key speakers at the 2024 Air Dominance Summit. Balfe earned his pilot wings in 1988 and, following an initial assignment as a jet flying instructor, flew the CF-18 for many years. He amassed 4500 flight hours, including more than 2500 hours in the CF-18, and participated in three NATO deployments to the Balkans, culminating with the Operation Allied Force air campaign in Kosovo in 1999. His non-flying assignments include two tours with NORAD in the U.S., multiple staff positions in Ottawa, and a year-long deployment with NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Brigadier General Balfe’s current role he serves with the RCAF Fighter Capability Office overseeing F-35 transition, weapons procurements and Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization. During his session at the Air Dominance Summit last May, Brigadier General Balfe spoke about the Royal Canadian Air Force’s next generation air superiority efforts but before that, he sat down with IDGA to discuss RCAF’s air capabilities priorities, how the transition to the F-35A is going, and more.

Our content editor had the privilege of sitting down with leaders in the US Air Force to discuss the Air Force’s acquisition process and its impact on air dominance efforts.

Read insights from Colonel Timothy M. Helfrich, Colonel John Cummings and Colonel Glendon C. Whelan into:

• What agile acquisition is and how it compares to traditional and rapid acquisition
• The challenges that arise when managing the acquisition process of an air fighter program such as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
• How important collaboration is between departments and teams in the Air Force for the success of agile acquisition 

As potential competitors make advancements in the air domain, we must advance our training to ensure the evolving threat landscape is appropriately met. Brigadier General Robert G. Novotny (Ret.) delivers an interview which highlights how the U.S. plans to keep its edge to outpace the adversary. In this interview, he covers:

• Priorities for Aggressor Training
• How to drive readiness and prepare for air warfare
• How Aggressor Training has evolved
  

Defence IQ sat down with General (ret) Frank Gorenc, recently retired Commander of US Air Forces Europe, Africa and NATO Allied Air Command to discuss his thoughts on the future of multi-domain conflicts, the role of combat airpower in NATO security, interoperability and A2/AD environments.

When discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is essential to think about it holistically, not only in terms of capabilities but also in terms of what AI really means for defence. 

Defence iQ is delighted to share with you an exclusive interview with Colonel Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, Director, DAF-MIT AI Accelerator, U.S. Department of the Air Force, sharing thoughtful insights about a regularly misunderstood topic.

AI sets itself to revolutionise the defence domain, from capabilities to industry. Colonel Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton explains why AI and machine learning have become a focal point for defence. He points out the potential and limitations of AI in the defence domain and the nuances of applying it.

As Ukraine and Russia continue in their struggle to assert air superiority, IDGA’s sister organization, Defence iQ, was fortunate enough to interview fighter pilot “Juice” and Air Force Spokesperson, Colonel Yuriy Ignat. This interview provides a crucial overview of:

• How Ukraine prepared for Russia’s air campaign
• Insight into how pre-war assessments were misleading
• Current requirements of the Ukrainian Forces in order to urgently generate greater combat air capability
  

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a collaborative project between Dassault and Airbus aims to redefine air combat capabilities in Europe, with a system of systems approach and a fleet of manned and unmanned systems to support the fighter aircraft and achieve air dominance. Ahead of International Fighter 2018, Defence IQ discussed with Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Combat Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space. By reading this exclusive transcript of the conversation, learn more about:

• The vision of the project to operate in a post-2035 environment
• The project’s key landmarks
• The integration of the new system with existing fleets
• The importance of industry collaboration

This November, leading military air combat decision-makers and industry professionals will assemble at the annual International Fighter conference in London. Returning to chair the event is Lt Gen (Rtd) David Deptula, the US Air Force’s former Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). Listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the defence world, General Deptula served more than 34 years of distinguished service, being the principal attack planner for Desert Storm (1991) and the Director of the Combined Air Operations Center for Operation Enduring Freedom (2001) to name just two of his most prominent assignments.

At the International Fighter conference, Air Vice Marshal Farooq Habib, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Training) at the Pakistan Air Force, discussed the service's modernisation efforts and methods of improving the skills of its pilots. In this article, we take a deeper look at the performance of the PAC JF-17 Thunder, from engine and refueling developments to export rumours. ACR Mahmood Khalid, PAC Vice-Director, talks to Georg Mader for Defence Industry Bulletin.

The FCAS and Tempest programmes are moving ahead quickly, with France and Germany welcoming Spain and Italy confirming their collaboration with the UK and Sweden at DSEI earlier this year. The focus is on a system of systems approach for both, which will require new technologies and innovative solutions to sustain air superiority in the future operating environment. Ahead of this year’s International Fighter conference, Defence IQ delved into the three biggest fighter programmes of our time: the F-35, the FCAS and Tempest. 

Download the white paper now >>

This white paper is divided in the following sections:

• Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Chris Bogdan, Former PEO F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, U.S. Air Force shares the lessons he learned from managing the F-35 programme
  
• Major General Jean-Pascal Breton, Programme Lead FCAS, French Air Force discusses achieving air superiority at the horizon 2040 with the FCAS
• Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Combat Air Systems, Airbus speaks on enabling European air forces to find an answer to future air power challenges through the FCAS
• Air Commodore Dan Storr, Head Combat Air Acquisition Programme, UK MoD shares insight into preparing for the post-Typhoon era with the Tempest programme

Top benefits of downloading this white paper:

• Gain exclusive insight on the top three biggest fighter programmes from the heads of these programmes, all of which will attend this year’s International Fighter 
  
• Learn more about how new technologies will be leveraged to prepare air forces for the future operating environment, which will be an ongoing theme at this year’s International Fighter
  
• Get a better understanding on the role of industry in regard to to achieving Air Forces’ vision for their fighter aircraft