Since the closure of World War 1, the dominant powers in the world are those who hold air superiority on the battlefield. Recent conflicts have taught us that airpower nearly always wins the day. But, what is the future of military aviation? Gone are the days of one-on-one dogfights. Instead, the aviation industry is taking a much more futuristic approach. What does that look like?

The Change from ‘Traditional’ Military Aviation

When we say traditional, we are talking about everything that has happened in the military aviation industry up until very recently.

Even aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35 can now be considered ‘traditional technology’. Even jets that were considered advanced like the FA-18 may soon be relegated to the annals of history.

Why?

Because the current plan in aerial warfare is called ‘Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD for short.

Warfare always prompts manufacturers to develop cutting-edge technologies, especially when it comes to aviation.

World War One led to fighter aircraft being built. In under 20 years, the slow biplanes of this era had been replaced by cutting-edge fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, and the Grumman Wildcat.

Fast forward to Vietnam and the Korean war, and you’d have seen another huge leap with both the US forces and Soviets employing Jet engine technology.

In the latest series of aircraft, combatants are unlikely to ever see each other. Modern jet fighters are equipped with missiles that can be fired from 100 miles away!

What’s the Future of Military Aviation From Here?

It actually gets a lot more advanced. Outside of full-scale wars, military technology advances at a slow pace. The F-35, for instance, has taken 20 years to be considered ‘complete’.

As a result, by the time these aircraft are ‘ready’, the landscape surrounding aerial warfare, and geopolitical situations, will have changed drastically.

Because of this, there has never been a greater need for modern fighters to be produced in the shortest amount of time possible. The best way to avoid being threatened by future technology is to become the future technology.

Modern Aerial Battlefields

Modern aerial warfare isn’t simply about jets shooting each other down. Digital technology has never played a more pivotal role for several reasons.

Modern fighter jets that are currently being developed are not considered a standalone option. Think of them less as an independent piece and more of a part of an entire chess set. Fighters from different nations aren’t lone boxers in a ring. They are a whole team out on a field.

They are often referred to as ‘nodes’ in a network.

This network doesn’t compromise just a single aircraft. It will include early-warning sensors, drones, surface-to-air defenses, and fighters, all of which are part of a bigger picture. Defense experts call them a ‘family’ of fighters, each with their own unique attributes designed to work together to ensure air superiority.

The Future of Military Aviation: Digital Engineering

Digitization is something that now features heavily, from the very second a new aircraft is proposed. In times of war, aircraft would be built quickly but improved and worked upon ‘on the hoof’. This is the reason why you will see several ‘marks’ of the same aircraft, with slight changes.

Computers allow military aircraft designers to do something else… No longer are jets given a ‘baptism of fire’ (literally). Instead, aircraft are designed on extremely powerful computers using 3D modeling. They are then run through simulated situations to assess their effectiveness and lifespan.

The end result?

Fighters that may have taken a decade or longer to produce can now be flying within 5 years of their initial conception.

Pretty impressive, right? As to what these jets look like, well, it is heavily classified as you’d expect. The whole purpose is that these fighters are not seen at any time.

Future Aircraft: The New ‘Century’ Series?

It is expected that the fighter jets of the future and the plan going forward will recreate a situation very similar to that of the ’60s.

The ‘Century Series’ of fighter aircraft was the USA’s answer to soviet advances in jet technology.

They didn’t put ‘all their eggs in one basket’. Instead, They diversified their requirements, contracting different aircraft manufacturers to produce innovative new aircraft. The same is likely to be true going forward.

Different aircraft manufacturers can easily and quickly produce working prototypes as the time required for testing is greatly reduced due to using computer models. By encouraging such competition, you can be sure that the next generation of military aircraft will be like nothing you have ever seen before.

Manned or Unmanned?

When the military talks of drones, these are far from the types of things you’ll use to take a few aerial holiday snaps.

There may be a requirement in the future for military aircraft to operate completely unmanned. This allows greater mission range, not to mention maneuverability. Computers don’t suffer from the effects of excessive G’s!

The Good News?

You can still see manned military aircraft! Even though they may not have been designed on a computer, they are still extremely fast and very agile. Unlike with the current series of NGAD aircraft, you’ll be able to see things that used to be classified and have a prestigious role in military aviation history.

An air display from an FA-18 is always a real treat. What’s more, at the Wings Over Camarillo air show, you’ll be able to get up close on the ground too! You could always check out a MiG-17 roaring overhead? Trust us, you don’t need nodes, platforms, or radar to know that that is coming!

You can see plenty of vintage wardogs too. The Wings Over Camarillo air show also features some iconic fighters such as the Hellcat and Corsair, both considered the ‘future’ of military information back in their day!

If you love military aviation, the Wings Over Camarillo airshow will enable you to see plenty. It is a feast for your aviation senses with static displays, air displays, and pyrotechnic shows. Why not check our schedule and see when we have our next display planned?