A US Air Force (USAF) official has cautioned that China could surpass the US in the race to deploy the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet amid reports that Beijing’s prototype has already completed its maiden flight.
Andrew Hunter, the outgoing USAF acquisition executive, told Breaking Defense that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could achieve initial operational capability for its sixth-generation fighter before the US.
However, he expressed confidence in the technical superiority of the advanced US jets, which he believes will outperform China’s design.
“I think we’ll have the better capability, but we certainly have no time to lose,” Hunter said. “They could beat us to the punch.”
In December, the PLA made headlines when it unveiled its tailless sixth-generation fighter jet, featuring a double-delta wing design optimized for supersonic performance.
The development is part of China’s broader strategy to challenge US air dominance.
No Surprise
Unlike some defense experts and media outlets, Hunter noted that he was not surprised by the emergence of China’s sixth-generation fighter.
“It’s fair to say we pay a lot of attention to what the Chinese are doing, so not everything that becomes public is a shock,” he said, while acknowledging the rapid pace of Beijing’s advancements.
Hunter had previously warned American lawmakers about China’s progress in sixth-generation fighter development but initially predicted the US would maintain its lead.
Next Generation Air Dominance
In 2023, the USAF formally launched the competition to develop its first sixth-generation fighter aircraft under the highly-classified Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
Designed to operate alongside drones, the advanced jet is expected to deliver critical capabilities for counter-air operations.
While details remain scarce, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has stated that the jet will feature enhanced lethality and the ability to survive, persist, interoperate, and adapt rapidly in contested airspace.
