Lockheed Martin Plans to Integrate Sixth-Gen Tech Into U.S. Air Force F-35 & F-22 Fighters
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Lockheed Martin is advancing plans to integrate sixth-generation technologies into the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter jet fleets. The effort is designed to extend both jets’ air dominance capabilities and align them with next-generation combat systems.In an October 21, 2025, interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO James Taiclet confirmed that the company’s Skunk Works division is investing heavily in “sixth-generation technology insertion” for the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter jets. The initiative, Taiclet said, will bring advanced sensor fusion, networked autonomy, and adaptive mission systems—features drawn from the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program—into platforms already serving as the backbone of U.S. tactical airpower. The goal is to ensure both jets remain unmatched in contested airspace through the 2030s and beyond.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Lockheed Martin plans to integrate sixth-generation technologies into the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 and F-22 fighter jets. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
Lockheed Martin refers to this concept as a high-performance variant of the F-35, informally called the “Ferrari F-35,” which aims to deliver up to 80 percent of the combat capabilities expected from future sixth-generation fighters at just half the cost. Instead of developing a new aircraft from scratch, the company is working to inject advanced technologies, originally intended for the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, directly into its current fleet.
This approach marks a strategic shift that prioritizes speed, affordability, and survivability. It is designed to provide a near-peer capability boost to current assets while reducing the financial and operational risks associated with fielding an entirely new aircraft platform. The core of this effort lies in the concept of sixth-generation technology insertion, which encompasses a range of revolutionary advancements.
Sixth-generation fighter technologies are defined by their emphasis on seamless system integration, data fusion, and battlefield dominance in heavily contested environments. These technologies typically include adaptive cycle propulsion systems capable of optimizing fuel efficiency and thrust across a wide range of missions. Advanced stealth materials and signature management techniques are also central to this generation, allowing aircraft to remain undetected in high-threat environments.
Another key feature is enhanced sensor and data fusion that integrates inputs from onboard and offboard sources, including satellites, drones, and ground assets. These systems provide pilots with an unmatched level of situational awareness and allow for rapid decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios. Sixth-generation aircraft are also designed for manned-unmanned teaming, enabling them to control or coordinate with loyal wingman drones that extend the reach and lethality of the mission.
Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in sixth-generation designs, assisting in threat detection, target prioritization, and autonomous mission execution. Cyber resilience, electronic warfare dominance, and secure, multi-domain communications round out the capability suite, ensuring that these platforms can operate as central nodes in a complex, networked battlespace.
Integrating these sixth-generation technologies into the F-35 and F-22 fleets could dramatically enhance their operational relevance through the 2030s and beyond. For the F-35, this could mean upgrades to its radar-absorbing coatings, new adaptive cycle engines for increased speed and range, AI-powered pilot assistance tools, and onboard computing enhancements that enable real-time collaboration with autonomous systems. For the F-22, potential upgrades include expanded sensor fusion, improved stealth characteristics, upgraded electronic warfare packages, and integration into future command-and-control networks with enhanced battlefield networking.
The result of these upgrades would be a new breed of highly survivable, intelligent, and lethal air platforms capable of dominating contested airspace. With sixth-generation features applied to proven fifth-generation airframes, the U.S. Air Force could field a more affordable and immediately available alternative to full-scale NGAD aircraft, extending the lifespan and relevance of the existing tactical fighter inventory.
To fully understand the implications of these enhancements, it is critical to examine the roles that the F-22 and F-35 currently serve within the U.S. Air Force.
The F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine air superiority fighter developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing. It is currently the most capable dogfighting aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, designed to establish air dominance at the onset of conflict. Its mission is to penetrate enemy airspace, destroy enemy fighters, and suppress advanced integrated air defense systems (IADS). With unmatched agility, low observability, and high-speed maneuverability, the F-22 is used to clear the skies and pave the way for other coalition assets. Though it is no longer in production, its capabilities remain unmatched in the air-to-air domain. Upgrading the Raptor with NGAD-derived systems could significantly boost its effectiveness in near-peer combat scenarios.
The F-35 Lightning II is a multirole, stealth-enabled fifth-generation fighter developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program. It is the backbone of U.S. tactical aviation and is fielded in three variants across the U.S. Air Force (F-35A), Navy (F-35C), and Marine Corps (F-35B). The F-35 was built for survivability, versatility, and advanced sensor fusion, allowing it to perform air-to-ground strike missions, air interdiction, electronic attack, close air support, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks. Its open architecture also makes it highly adaptable for future upgrades. The F-35’s role as a “quarterback in the sky” is central to its operational value. Integrating sixth-generation technologies into this platform would expand its role further by enabling real-time coordination with drones, dynamic spectrum warfare, and more autonomous mission execution.
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs unit, better known as Skunk Works, is responsible for the integration of these technologies. Based in Palmdale, California, Skunk Works has a long and secretive legacy of developing cutting-edge aerospace solutions. The division is credited with the creation of the U-2 spy plane, the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117 Nighthawk, and contributed significantly to the F-22 and F-35 programs. Its mission is to anticipate future threats and deliver disruptive capabilities at operational speed.
By applying Skunk Works’ rapid prototyping approach and independent research and development funding, Lockheed is accelerating the transition of next-generation technologies from the drawing board into real-world combat assets. This effort does not rely on traditional acquisition programs but instead seeks to deliver working prototypes that can later be adopted and scaled by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The context for this strategic pivot lies in the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a classified and highly ambitious effort to field the successor to the F-22 Raptor. NGAD is not a single aircraft but a family of systems designed to maintain air superiority in future high-threat environments. It includes a manned sixth-generation fighter at the center, surrounded by collaborative combat drones, advanced sensors, directed energy weapons, secure data networks, and multi-domain command and control tools. The goal of NGAD is to outpace threats from peer adversaries like China and Russia by delivering a leap in performance, stealth, networked warfare, and survivability well beyond current platforms.
However, NGAD comes with high costs and long development timelines. Estimates suggest each aircraft could exceed 300 million dollars, limiting the number of airframes that can be fielded. In this context, Lockheed Martin’s approach, retrofitting existing platforms with NGAD-derived capabilities, offers the Pentagon a more immediate and scalable solution.
The integration of sixth-generation features into F-35 and F-22 Raptor fighter jets is expected to include elements such as improved low-observable inlets, advanced mission systems, next-generation electronic warfare, and more powerful onboard processing. These upgrades will make the aircraft more resilient in denied environments while enhancing its ability to operate within a joint all-domain command and control network.
This evolution comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are increasingly focused on maintaining air superiority in regions where adversaries are deploying sophisticated integrated air defense systems and developing fifth and sixth-generation aircraft of their own. By retrofitting legacy platforms with future-ready technologies, Lockheed Martin is positioning itself to offer not only a cost-effective alternative to full sixth-generation fighters but also an operational solution that leverages the global infrastructure and production scale already in place for the F-35.
Lockheed Martin’s plan to create a high-performance F-35 variant infused with sixth-generation technologies represents a pivotal development in the future of air combat. This initiative ensures that the U.S. and allied air forces remain at the forefront of capability while maximizing the return on existing aircraft investments. The Skunk Works-led program stands as a testament to the growing role of hybrid modernization in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Lockheed Martin is advancing plans to integrate sixth-generation technologies into the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter jet fleets. The effort is designed to extend both jets’ air dominance capabilities and align them with next-generation combat systems.
In an October 21, 2025, interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO James Taiclet confirmed that the company’s Skunk Works division is investing heavily in “sixth-generation technology insertion” for the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter jets. The initiative, Taiclet said, will bring advanced sensor fusion, networked autonomy, and adaptive mission systems—features drawn from the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program—into platforms already serving as the backbone of U.S. tactical airpower. The goal is to ensure both jets remain unmatched in contested airspace through the 2030s and beyond.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Lockheed Martin plans to integrate sixth-generation technologies into the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 and F-22 fighter jets. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
Lockheed Martin refers to this concept as a high-performance variant of the F-35, informally called the “Ferrari F-35,” which aims to deliver up to 80 percent of the combat capabilities expected from future sixth-generation fighters at just half the cost. Instead of developing a new aircraft from scratch, the company is working to inject advanced technologies, originally intended for the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, directly into its current fleet.
This approach marks a strategic shift that prioritizes speed, affordability, and survivability. It is designed to provide a near-peer capability boost to current assets while reducing the financial and operational risks associated with fielding an entirely new aircraft platform. The core of this effort lies in the concept of sixth-generation technology insertion, which encompasses a range of revolutionary advancements.
Sixth-generation fighter technologies are defined by their emphasis on seamless system integration, data fusion, and battlefield dominance in heavily contested environments. These technologies typically include adaptive cycle propulsion systems capable of optimizing fuel efficiency and thrust across a wide range of missions. Advanced stealth materials and signature management techniques are also central to this generation, allowing aircraft to remain undetected in high-threat environments.
Another key feature is enhanced sensor and data fusion that integrates inputs from onboard and offboard sources, including satellites, drones, and ground assets. These systems provide pilots with an unmatched level of situational awareness and allow for rapid decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios. Sixth-generation aircraft are also designed for manned-unmanned teaming, enabling them to control or coordinate with loyal wingman drones that extend the reach and lethality of the mission.
Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in sixth-generation designs, assisting in threat detection, target prioritization, and autonomous mission execution. Cyber resilience, electronic warfare dominance, and secure, multi-domain communications round out the capability suite, ensuring that these platforms can operate as central nodes in a complex, networked battlespace.
Integrating these sixth-generation technologies into the F-35 and F-22 fleets could dramatically enhance their operational relevance through the 2030s and beyond. For the F-35, this could mean upgrades to its radar-absorbing coatings, new adaptive cycle engines for increased speed and range, AI-powered pilot assistance tools, and onboard computing enhancements that enable real-time collaboration with autonomous systems. For the F-22, potential upgrades include expanded sensor fusion, improved stealth characteristics, upgraded electronic warfare packages, and integration into future command-and-control networks with enhanced battlefield networking.
The result of these upgrades would be a new breed of highly survivable, intelligent, and lethal air platforms capable of dominating contested airspace. With sixth-generation features applied to proven fifth-generation airframes, the U.S. Air Force could field a more affordable and immediately available alternative to full-scale NGAD aircraft, extending the lifespan and relevance of the existing tactical fighter inventory.
To fully understand the implications of these enhancements, it is critical to examine the roles that the F-22 and F-35 currently serve within the U.S. Air Force.
The F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine air superiority fighter developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing. It is currently the most capable dogfighting aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, designed to establish air dominance at the onset of conflict. Its mission is to penetrate enemy airspace, destroy enemy fighters, and suppress advanced integrated air defense systems (IADS). With unmatched agility, low observability, and high-speed maneuverability, the F-22 is used to clear the skies and pave the way for other coalition assets. Though it is no longer in production, its capabilities remain unmatched in the air-to-air domain. Upgrading the Raptor with NGAD-derived systems could significantly boost its effectiveness in near-peer combat scenarios.
The F-35 Lightning II is a multirole, stealth-enabled fifth-generation fighter developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program. It is the backbone of U.S. tactical aviation and is fielded in three variants across the U.S. Air Force (F-35A), Navy (F-35C), and Marine Corps (F-35B). The F-35 was built for survivability, versatility, and advanced sensor fusion, allowing it to perform air-to-ground strike missions, air interdiction, electronic attack, close air support, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks. Its open architecture also makes it highly adaptable for future upgrades. The F-35’s role as a “quarterback in the sky” is central to its operational value. Integrating sixth-generation technologies into this platform would expand its role further by enabling real-time coordination with drones, dynamic spectrum warfare, and more autonomous mission execution.
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs unit, better known as Skunk Works, is responsible for the integration of these technologies. Based in Palmdale, California, Skunk Works has a long and secretive legacy of developing cutting-edge aerospace solutions. The division is credited with the creation of the U-2 spy plane, the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117 Nighthawk, and contributed significantly to the F-22 and F-35 programs. Its mission is to anticipate future threats and deliver disruptive capabilities at operational speed.
By applying Skunk Works’ rapid prototyping approach and independent research and development funding, Lockheed is accelerating the transition of next-generation technologies from the drawing board into real-world combat assets. This effort does not rely on traditional acquisition programs but instead seeks to deliver working prototypes that can later be adopted and scaled by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The context for this strategic pivot lies in the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a classified and highly ambitious effort to field the successor to the F-22 Raptor. NGAD is not a single aircraft but a family of systems designed to maintain air superiority in future high-threat environments. It includes a manned sixth-generation fighter at the center, surrounded by collaborative combat drones, advanced sensors, directed energy weapons, secure data networks, and multi-domain command and control tools. The goal of NGAD is to outpace threats from peer adversaries like China and Russia by delivering a leap in performance, stealth, networked warfare, and survivability well beyond current platforms.
However, NGAD comes with high costs and long development timelines. Estimates suggest each aircraft could exceed 300 million dollars, limiting the number of airframes that can be fielded. In this context, Lockheed Martin’s approach, retrofitting existing platforms with NGAD-derived capabilities, offers the Pentagon a more immediate and scalable solution.
The integration of sixth-generation features into F-35 and F-22 Raptor fighter jets is expected to include elements such as improved low-observable inlets, advanced mission systems, next-generation electronic warfare, and more powerful onboard processing. These upgrades will make the aircraft more resilient in denied environments while enhancing its ability to operate within a joint all-domain command and control network.
This evolution comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are increasingly focused on maintaining air superiority in regions where adversaries are deploying sophisticated integrated air defense systems and developing fifth and sixth-generation aircraft of their own. By retrofitting legacy platforms with future-ready technologies, Lockheed Martin is positioning itself to offer not only a cost-effective alternative to full sixth-generation fighters but also an operational solution that leverages the global infrastructure and production scale already in place for the F-35.
Lockheed Martin’s plan to create a high-performance F-35 variant infused with sixth-generation technologies represents a pivotal development in the future of air combat. This initiative ensures that the U.S. and allied air forces remain at the forefront of capability while maximizing the return on existing aircraft investments. The Skunk Works-led program stands as a testament to the growing role of hybrid modernization in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
