NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion)
US Air Force program developing adaptive-cycle jet engines for 6th-generation fighters (including the F-47); GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are the two prime contractors.
The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program is a US Air Force effort to develop advanced adaptive-cycle jet engines — with improved fuel efficiency, thrust, thermal management, and survivability — for 6th-generation combat aircraft including the F-47. GE Aerospace (XA102) and Pratt & Whitney (XA103) are the two prime contractors; both passed assembly readiness review in May 2026, with a 2031 program completion date after a 3-year schedule slip.
Program detail
- Agency
- US Air Force
- Acronym
- NGAP
- Budget
- $514M requested FY2027; ~$906M projected FY2028 R&D
- Phase
- Pre-prototyping readiness review complete (Jul 2026); GE Aerospace (XA102) and Pratt & Whitney (XA103) building/testing prototypes; assembly readiness review passed May 2026; 2031 completion date (3-year delay vs. earlier projections)
- Domain
- Adaptive-cycle fighter engines / 6th-gen propulsion
Participants1
Contracts0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What is NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion)?
- The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program is a US Air Force effort to develop advanced adaptive-cycle jet engines — with improved fuel efficiency, thrust, thermal management, and survivability — for 6th-generation combat aircraft including the F-47. GE Aerospace (XA102) and Pratt & Whitney (XA103) are the two prime contractors; both passed assembly readiness review in May 2026, with a 2031 program completion date after a 3-year schedule slip.
- Which agency runs NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion)?
- NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion) is run by US Air Force and is also known as NGAP.
- What is the budget for NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion)?
- NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion) has a budget of $514M requested FY2027; ~$906M projected FY2028 R&D, currently in its Pre-prototyping readiness review complete (Jul 2026); GE Aerospace (XA102) and Pratt & Whitney (XA103) building/testing prototypes; assembly readiness review passed May 2026; 2031 completion date (3-year delay vs. earlier projections) phase.
Sources & citations2
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
NGAP completed pre-prototyping readiness review; GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney will build and test prototypes; Air Force requesting $514M in FY2027 and ~$906M in FY2028.
DefenseScoop: Air Force aims to have next-gen engine ready for aircraft integration by 2030Verified2026-07-30 - 2
GE Aerospace's NGAP engine is the XA102, Pratt & Whitney's is the XA103; both cleared assembly readiness review in May 2026; new timeline reflects a 2031 completion, a 3-year delay.
Breaking Defense: Air Force sees another year delay for next-gen enginesVerified2026-05-01