The wild F-35 UPGRADES pitched by the designer of the YF-23
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Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, recently revealed an ambitious idea: adapting advanced technologies developed for the company’s next-generation fighter and integrating them into the F-35. The result? A so-called “5th-and-a-half generation” hybrid fighter. One that could reportedly deliver 80% of a true 6th-gen jet’s performance at just half the cost.
But what would such an aircraft actually look like? Thankfully, Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick sat down with Darold Cummings, the legendary designer behind Northrop’s YF-23, to explore exactly that. Drawing inspiration from Lockheed’s past innovations, such as the F-16XL and the tailless X-44 Manta concept, their ideas paint a fascinating picture of what the future F-35 might become. And the possibilities? Nothing short of remarkable.
Wild Upgrades
When one of the most brilliant aircraft designers of our time, the man behind the legendary YF-23 stealth fighter, turns his attention to the F-35, you get a vision that sounds almost too wild to be real.
According to Lockheed Martin and top aerospace minds, the F-35 isn’t anywhere near retirement. In fact, it’s just getting started. The plan? Keep the jet flying for another 25 years or more, while layering in next-level upgrades that could push it well beyond what a “5th-generation” fighter was ever meant to be.
From 5th-Gen to the “5-and-a-Half-Gen” Beast
These upgrades aren’t small tweaks. We’re talking major leaps in stealth, sensor fusion, networking, and AI-driven mission systems. The idea is to evolve the F-35 into something that delivers 80% of a 6th-generation fighter’s capabilities at half the cost —a smart, lethal, and affordable solution until true next-generation jets like NGAD and FA-XX arrive.
Why Keep Upgrading Instead of Replacing?
- Battle-proven & global: The F-35 is already flying with dozens of allied air forces. Upgrading an existing, proven platform is faster and smarter than starting from scratch.
- Bridging the gap: Next-gen programs are still years away. The upgraded F-35 can fill that critical gap and stay lethal in the face of new threats.
- Smarter economics: Investing in new tech for an existing aircraft saves billions while keeping the skies dominated by a jet pilots already trust.
The message is clear. The F-35 isn’t just a fighter anymore. It’s becoming a tech platform, one that will continue to evolve and integrate the latest innovations for decades to come.
