As a former secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James understands the challenges faced by current Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin as they consider programmatic alternatives for the fiscal 2026 budget and beyond. Recent reports suggest the possible termination of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system due to budgetary constraints, but Deborah Lee James strongly argues for uniting to fund the Air Force for the continuity of this vital program.
The NGAD program is crucial for America’s air dominance against potential adversaries, especially China, whose sixth-generation fighter system is expected by 2035. The Fiscal Responsibility Act’s caps on defense spending have put the Air Force in a dilemma for FY26 and beyond, with not enough funds to pay for all programs.
James urges Congress and the DOD to provide adequate funds to the Air Force to keep important programs on track. She also suggests innovative design and acquisition strategies, potentially using an approach like the “century series” for less expensive and quicker-to-produce fighters with iterative designs.
It’s essential to find new ways to support the military’s needs as China advances its NGAD equivalent without slowing down due to budgetary concerns. James emphasizes the urgency of not delaying NGAD to avoid risking loss in a future conflict.
