Since there was no interest in the "big car" from the Air Force, at that time they fought for the F-22 and were able to defend it even with significant losses (instead of 750, 187 were received), the fleet it was not possible to dislodge financing. In the air force, the AX (experimental drummer, which after closing NATF was renamed to FX - experimental fighter) was considered as a full replacement for the F-111, F-117 and F-15E. Despite this, in 1993, at an early stage, the air forces and the navy agreed on the performance requirements, although for the Navy the capabilities of the future aircraft in air-to-air operations were much more significant than for The Air Force, where the Raptor dominates in this area. The topic was finally covered in 1993. At the same time, work was intensified on a "single strike fighter."
The 1990s passed in trouble with JAST / JSF, the future lightweight fighter F-35.
In the summer of 2008, after a rather long break, at San Diego, at the airshow as part of a demonstration of the future strategy of the US Navy, four alternative concepts for the F / A-XX program were shown. All of them were subtle subsonic aircraft with a range of 3,3 - 5,6 thousand. Km. In this case, it was planned that the unmanned versions in the air will hold up to 50 hours.
In the summer of 2009, a new reflection of the F / A-XX was shown at Boeing Phantom Works. The presented machine belongs to the 6th generation of supersonic fighters and is designed to replace the F / A-18E / F in about 10-15 years (as is known, the F / A-18C / D will be replaced by the F-35). In the new multi-role fighter, some new technologies will be implemented such as: variable-cycle engines, an increased proportion of composites in the structure, visual stealth, advanced electronics, etc. The appearance of the aircraft is significantly different from the concept presented at "Week aviation and space technology "a year ago. There is a return to more familiar forms and a departure from the" flying wing "scheme. A pronounced influx of wings and ventral air intakes mean high maneuverability of the aircraft. At the same time, the rejection of vertical and horizontal tailing and narrow, shielded bottom nozzles should bring the effective dispersion area to the level of the F-117 fighter is not higher than 0,2 m2, and the normal take-off weight of the aircraft is 18 thousand kg.
At the EXPO-2010 exhibition in May 2010, the model of this aircraft was shown on a 1: 16 scale. During this time, it has not undergone any visible changes. The model has three combat payload compartments, two of which are designed for air-to-air missiles, one to accommodate weapon class air-to-ground.
At the same time, the poster showed a project of a much larger aircraft, as reported in a class not lower than F-22 (normal take-off weight 27 thousand kg). Against the background of the early termination of the Raptor serial production and problems with the F-35, the creation of a fighter seems fantastic, but a representative of the Boeing company noted the interest of the air force and the US Navy in this project. After the Navy begins a full-scale replacement of F / A-18C / D, and in the A-10 and F-16 air forces with the F-35, there will be a need for future replacement of the F-22 and F / A-18E / F after 2025 year
Analysis of the figure allows us to estimate the maximum take-off mass of the “heavy version” of the car in 40 - 42 t. For the deck version of the car, this looks a bit weird, because the F-111B once burned out on the plank in 34 t. apparatus of similar mass on the deck. The electromagnetic catapult tested recently gives the chance to lift the plane in weight to 45 t, as much the plane lift can also master. For such a machine, the F135 engine would be preferable. An engine with a greater degree of bypass and a bypass ratio cannot fit here. But F119 from "Raptor" looks "like a native." The machine is equipped with an “looking down” active phased antenna array, possibly an updated version of the station with F-22, two load compartments (7,5 is long) and large internal volumes that allow tanks to be placed for 10-12 tons of fuel. Flight range without the use of overhead tanks will be about 3,3 thousand. Km.
By 2010, the program was given a new name - Next Geneation Air Dominance (NGAD) - “next generation air dominator”. This allows you to expand the theme and create special weapons for this machine. As well as in F / A-XX, the development of an optionally manned aircraft that can operate in unmanned mode is implied. The possibility of creating a special machine is also not excluded.
The new project will allow Boeing to get even with Lockheed-Martin concern, who won the JSF competition with his F-35.
It was planned that work on prototypes of the future fighter will begin at the end of 2011, which will allow to build demonstration models already in 2013-2014. Boeing plans to build a manned and unmanned demonstrator.
Representatives of the Boeing company believe that the main focus should be made to order from the Navy. The company understands that the customer needs a replacement "Super Hornet" which has a higher engine thrust at supersonic speed, low visibility, integrated sensors and high maneuverability, that is, "deck Raptor".
The Light version shown in 2009 year (18 thous. Kg) was continued in 2010 year. This time, probably remembering the failure of the X-32’s “flying wing”, Boeing demonstrated the aircraft of a normal aerodynamic configuration, but probably with reduced maneuverability (the air intakes were moved to the upper part of the fuselage in the aerodynamic shadow zone) and the same subtlety achieved by abandonment of vertical plumage and smooth belly. And if the emphasis on “stealth” can still be understood - “as it is fashionable,” then depriving the “air dominator” of maneuverability in battle is a very controversial decision.