False start? DoD IG 'terminated' NGAD next-gen fighter review, but may revisit down the road - Breaking Defense

False start? DoD IG 'terminated' NGAD next-gen fighter review, but may revisit down the road - Breaking Defense

Kendall stumbles while Northrop Grumman double shuffles in NGAD development dance 

Here's a summary of the video, highlighting differences and new information compared to the breaking defense article:

1. The competition for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter has narrowed down to Boeing and Lockheed Martin, confirming the article's information.

2. New information: Northrop Grumman's withdrawal is attributed to their focus on the B-21 Raider bomber and the Navy's FXX program, which wasn't mentioned in the article.

3. The video provides more detailed pros and cons for both Boeing and Lockheed Martin as NGAD contenders, which wasn't present in the previous article.

4. New information: The video discusses the competition for the NGAD's adaptive cycle engine between Pratt & Whitney and General Electric, including their respective strengths and weaknesses.

5. The video introduces the concept of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) - unmanned drones that will work alongside NGAD, which wasn't mentioned in the article.

6. New information: The importance of advanced avionics in the NGAD program is highlighted, which wasn't discussed in the article.

7. The video makes predictions about the outcome of the various competitions:

   - Airframe: Lockheed Martin (consistent with the article's implications)

   - Engine: General Electric (new information)

   - Drone wingman: Boeing (new role for Boeing, not mentioned in the article)

   - Avionics: Northrop Grumman (new information, different from their complete withdrawal mentioned in the previous article)

8. The timeline for NGAD production by the end of this decade is mentioned, which isn't specified in the article.

This video provides a more comprehensive overview of the NGAD program and its various components, offering insights and predictions not present in the article.

Here's a concise summary of the key points from the Breaking Defense article:

1. The Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) halted a review of the Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program.
2. This came after Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's statements about the program's progress were found to be premature.
3. Kendall initially announced NGAD had entered the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, but later retracted this statement.
4. The Air Force has paused the NGAD program to reconsider its options due to budgetary constraints and design questions.
5. The pause has cast doubt on awarding an EMD contract this year, as previously planned.
6. The competition is thought to be between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, with Northrop Grumman having withdrawn.
7. Northrop's CEO suggested they might reconsider joining the competition if there are material changes to the program.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's statements

Here's more details on Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's statements regarding the NGAD program:

1. Initial announcement (June 2022): Kendall made headlines by stating that the NGAD program had already entered the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. This announcement sparked significant interest and speculation in the defense industry about which company might have secured the lucrative contract.

2. Retraction (September 2022): On September 19, 2022, Kendall walked back his earlier statement. He clarified that he was speaking in a "colloquial sense" when he mentioned the EMD phase. He explained that he meant to indicate the plane was in the design process, not that it had formally entered EMD.

3. Clarification of terminology: Kendall elaborated on his use of terminology, saying, "I've been around doing this stuff for a long time, and I still think of engineering and manufacturing development as a phase in which you are working on the new design." This statement suggests that Kendall was using the term EMD more loosely than its official definition in defense acquisition processes.

4. Impact of statements: Despite Kendall's retraction, his initial announcement had already prompted the DoD Inspector General to announce a review of the NGAD program. The review was intended to determine if the critical technologies for the NGAD fighter were mature enough to enter the EMD phase.

5. Recent statements: In July 2023, when asked about the IG's review at the RIAT air show, Kendall commented that "They're doing a very quiet review," indicating he was unaware of its termination.

These statements by Kendall highlight the sensitivity surrounding information about advanced defense programs like NGAD, and how carefully such information needs to be communicated to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. 

Northrop Grumman's position regarding the NGAD program

Here's more specifics on Northrop Grumman's position regarding the NGAD program:

1. Initial withdrawal: The article mentions that Northrop Grumman had publicly withdrawn from the NGAD competition. This left the contest primarily between Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

2. Potential reconsideration: Kathy Warden, Northrop Grumman's CEO, indicated at the Morgan Stanley Laguna conference that the company might reconsider its position on NGAD. This potential shift is directly linked to the Air Force's current reevaluation of the program.

3. Conditions for re-entry: Warden outlined several factors that would influence Northrop Grumman's decision to potentially rejoin the competition:

   a) Material changes to the program: If the Air Force significantly alters the NGAD program requirements or structure.
   
   b) Competitive advantage: The company would assess whether they are "well differentiated to perform" in the revised program.
   
   c) Business case evaluation: They would analyze whether the new program structure makes sense for the company and its investors.

4. Monitoring the situation: Warden stated that Northrop Grumman is "monitoring" the NGAD situation, indicating an active interest in the program's developments.

5. Context of the Air Force's pause: Northrop's potential reconsideration comes in the context of the Air Force's strategic pause on NGAD. This pause is allowing the Air Force to revalidate requirements and reconsider the path forward for the program.

6. Implications: Northrop Grumman's potential re-entry could significantly impact the competitive landscape for NGAD, potentially bringing more innovation and competitive pressure to the program.

This information suggests that while Northrop Grumman had previously stepped away from the NGAD competition, they remain interested and are strategically positioning themselves to potentially re-enter if the program's direction aligns with their capabilities and business interests.