Lockheed Martin (LMT) is reportedly shopping around a F-35/F-22 hybrid concept, combining aspects of the two 5th-generation fighters as the Pentagon begins work on a 6th-generation fighter that could take decades to develop and field.
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To counter threats from near-peer adversaries like Russia and China, Lockheed has pitched to the Air Force and U.S. allies a fighter that has an upgraded F-22 stealth body and the F-35's avionics, according to a report by Defense One.
The idea doesn't seem so far fetched as Lockheed is also pitching a hybrid idea to Japan, which is looking to replace its aging 4th-generation fighters.
Backers of a F-35/F-22 hybrid fighter note that it would provide an incremental improvement over the existing, cutting-edge fighters, while the Pentagon embarks on a yearslong effort to design and build a 6th-generation fighter.
The Air Force is already accelerating the development of a 6th-generation fighter as China ramps up its military. The service is investing nearly $10 billion over the next five years, $2.7 billion more than previously planned, for what is officially called the Next Generation Air Dominance system.
But that will require developing new, potentially radical designs and technologies, carrying the risk of delays from any setbacks.
Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division told IBD last year that a 6th-generation fighter would likely feature improved stealth, more autonomy, hypersonic weapons technology and defensive laser systems.
But if the F-35's history is any indication, a 6th-generation fighter could take decades to field. Lockheed began development on it in 1992, the Pentagon awarded the contract in 2001, and the first F-35s were declared ready for combat in 2015.
Lockheed and Boeing (BA) are both looking at early concepts for a 6th-generation fighter. Meanwhile, the U.K. showed off its 6th-generation fighter jet concept, the Tempest, during the Farnborough Airshow last month.
Lockheed shares closed up 0.2% on the stock market today, and Boeing lost 1.2%.
While the F-22 and F-35 are operational, creating a hybrid of the two isn't without risks.
When Boeing updated its Hornet fighter, the resulting F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet still required extensive redesign work. Boeing is also reportedly looking at updating its F-15 Eagle.
Meanwhile, Lockheed is also considering new technologies like lasers and electronic warfare systems to enhance its current F-16, F-22 and F-35 lineup, according to the Defense One report.
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The post Before 6th-Generation Fighter Flies, Lockheed Offers F-35/F-22 Hybrid appeared first on Investor's Business Daily.
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