Northrop Grumman says no to prime role on US Air Force NGAD fighter programme
The USAF announced in May that the Department of the Air Force had begun soliciting proposals for the Next-Generation Air Dominance programme. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman will not compete as a prime contractor on the USAF’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter programme but holds open the possibility to bid for the complementary loyal wingman and separate USN sixth-generation fighter, company CEO Kathy Warden said on 27 July.
‘We have notified the US Air Force that we’re not planning to respond to the NGAD RfP [Request for Proposals] as the prime,’ she said during a Q2 earnings call.
After years of speculation, in May, the USAF announced that the Department of the Air Force had begun soliciting proposals for the programme. It also confirmed that
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Eurosatory 2026: Wartime iteration gives Ukraine an edge as future UAV exporter
As industrial-scale drone production proves its battlefield worth in Ukraine, what happens to that production capacity and knowhow once the guns fall silent – and is Ukraine about to become one of the world’s most credible UAV export partners?
-
Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success
The one-way-effector uncrewed aerial vehicle has also been tested by the British Army, following on from its contract award notice in February 2026.
-
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.