WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The 6th generation of US Air Force strike aircraft will need advanced electronic attack, high-power laser, and low-observability features, according to published US government documents. These capabilities will require ten times more thermal and electrical power and technology to channel and control the power safely to the aircraft's systems.
"General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $409,000,000 contract for next generation thermal, power, and controls (NGT-PAC)," the release stated on Wednesday.
"The contract for the NGT-PAC program is a multiple government agency and industry joint effort to develop revolutionary and innovative technologies by the 2024 time-frame that will conduct applied research to increase knowledge and understanding of future power, thermal and controls requirements, while advancing technology development."
