The US Air Force will undergo a major transformation over the next ten years by adding new superdrone wingmen with existing fighters and bombers and then the introduction of the next generation B21 stealth bomber and then the new NGAD fighter.
The US Air Force has been testing some superdrones that can work as wingmen with existing bombers and fighters. They will have a competition to select the winning superdrones late this year. However, there will be multiple contracts and constantly upgrading superdrones over the next few years and beyond.
The F-35 is in the process of getting 25 times more computer processing, 20 times more computer memory and sensor upgrades. These are in the TR3 and block 4 upgrades. The F-35 needs the TR-3 improvements and will prepare them for block 4 upgrade include new sensors, the ability to carry more long-range precision weapons, more powerful data fusion, increased interoperability with other platforms and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The F35 electronic brain transplants and upgrades are happening now and will continue throughout the multi-decade life of the planes.
The Mitchell Institute, a think-tank for the Air Force Association, thinks the computer and sensor upgrades could increase the F-35’s combat power by up to 10 times.
Constantly improving and changing drones and constantly improving electronics will mean the combat capabilities of the US Air Force will improve much faster. The superdrone wingmen will add more missiles for the bombers and fighters to add more offensive capabilities and can add jamming to improve the defensive capabilities.
Next Generation Bomber
The B21 next generation stealth bomber is only a few months behind schedule for a 2023 first test flight. This means we are about 4 to 16 weeks away from the first test flight. The prototype B21’s have already had engines turned on and runway taxi tests performed.
The first combat ready next generation B21 bomber could be operational in 2026-2027.
It is expected that there will eventually be about 100 B-21’s built. After the first flight the B21 will go into low -rate production for the next six years or so. This will likely mean about 20-30 built over the next six years. 100 to 145 B-21s will replace 45 B-1s and 20 B-2s over the next decade or so.
The increased number of less detectable B-21 could increase the number of possible deep strikes per day from about six per day to dozens or even a hundred per day.
An undetectable stealth bomber is able to destroy air defenses, so that detectable bombers can follow up to wreck an enemy.
Next Generation NGAD Fighter
The US Air Force is trying to accelerate the development and deployment of the NGAD (6th generation) fighter. The engine and plane primary makers could be selected in 2024.
If delays can be avoided the first NGAD deployments could happen in 2029-2030.
