Brig. General Wickert shares interesting ideas in the interview with the podcast.
In a large and perceptive interview on episode 147 of the Podcast Talk4, Brigadier General Douglas “Beaker” Wickert, commander of the 412nd test of Air Force, shared exclusive updates and reflections on some of the most high -end developments in the American Aviation of the Air Force. Hosted by Louis Skupien, a friend of Aviation Who previously interviewed this author on the same podcast (you can listen to this episode here)), the last episode tackles major subjects, including the F-47 NGAD, the B-21 Raider flight test in progress, the future of the Raptor F-22, and the role of the AI in tactical flight with the X-62A Vista.
You can listen to the full episode with “Beaker” here.
F-47: official name and strategic context
For the first time publicly, General Brig Wickert spoke of the Air Dominance Fighter of Next Generation (NGAD), which will be developed at Edwards AFB. “We finally had the announcement of the oval office … that Boeing was selected to build the next generation air dominance, and it will be known as F-47,” said Wickert.
“For about 10 years, there has been a variety of current studies. While the Chinese Communist Party, through APL, has developed this anti-access / zone denial strategy in the Pacific, to try to prevent us from maintaining the world order, we realized that we need the ability to penetrate these areas. ”
“China would really like to say:” This whole part of the Pacific is ours. You can’t browse it. You cannot fly. Thus, one of the first initiatives was called PCA – Penetration of the Comptoir – A study of at least 10 to 12 years ago.
“The director of the acquisition of services, about five years ago,” confirmed that the 6th generation prototypes were flying. Just as we did with the YF-22 and YF-23 in the 1990s, we had advanced flying technology demonstrators. ”
“And very recently, we had the announcement of the oval office. The defense secretary, the chief of the Air Force staff, and the president were there and they announced that Boeing had been selected to build the fighter of next generation air domination, and he will be known as F-47.”
“Like the Chinese Communist Party through APL has somehow developed this denial strategy of the anti-access zone in the Pacific … We realized that we need the ability to enter this area.”
This strategic messaging is aligned with what Brig. General Wickert has already underlined earlier this year, when he warned in a public provision that the military progress of China, in particular in the fields of hypersonic weapons and the projection of air power, are progressing at a speed that the United States cannot afford to ignore. Speaking from Edwards AFB to an audience in person and virtual, Brig. General Wickert, during Monday day in the breast, held on January 6, 2025, underlined how the popular liberation army built not only advanced platforms, but also learns to use them more effectively through aggressive test and training cycles.
Wickert has shared struck numbers: by 2027, in areas west of the international date line where American assets are deployed, the APL will exceed American forces from around 12 to 1 in modern fighter planes (including 5 to 3 fifth generation aircraft) and 3 to 1 in maritime patrol aircraft. Regarding the bombers, the fleet of 225 inhabited bombers of the APL does not compete in the region. On the seas, the PLA has an advantage of 3 to 1 in aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, more than 6 to 1 in advanced submarines, and an amazing 9 to 1 advance in Multi-Warf Modern combat ships.
Back to F-47: “We have already resisted a team here. In our combined test force (CTF), we have a group on this program.
“The F-47 will be this next generation. He can go to Place the F-35 cannot go.
B-21 Raider: tests in Edwards
“The B-21 is in active flight test here at Edwards Air Force Base. In fact, this is the only place where we are going to see the four bombers fly. In fact, it is the only place in the world where you will see the four bombers fly: B-52, B-1, B-2 and now B-21.”
“General Bussiere was there a few months ago, he is the four stars in charge of commanding the world strike of the Air Force, and when he got off the plane, I said:” Ah, you came to see all your bombers. “It was a great moment.
“But by looking towards the future, we are finally going to be an air force with two bombers. We will keep the B-52, the oldest, and the juira with the B-21 Raider as our future fleet. The B-1 will be retired first, followed by the B-2 as capacity B-21 is put online.”
F-22 Raptor: Future Outlook
While praising the unmatched maneuverability capacities of the Raptor and the push vectorization, Wickert recognized that the F-47 could possibly replace the F-22. “It will probably take decades,” he said, adding that F-22 still plays an essential role in the National Air Guard and Demonstration Teams.
“The F-22: Aircraft incredible. Just from the point of view of manipulation qualities, what it can do with the push vectorization is phenomenal. This kind of high angle attack and low-speed maneuvers … it’s unmatched.”
“That said, the F-47 will ultimately replace the F-22. But it will probably take decades, as well as by the transition from the fleet of bombers. At the moment, the F-22 still plays a key role, especially in units like the Demo Raptor team, showing how capable it is.”
AI in tactical aviation: X-62A Vista
In one of the most turned segments, Wickert has spoken of AI already tested in tactical flight roles using the X-62A Vista, a modified F-16 Aviation.
“We are currently developing AI agents that fly.
“We have executed completely off base hunting maneuvers: you press a button, and AI takes over and steals the entire commitment.
YF-23 vs yf-22: retrospective
Wickert also shared his point of view on the legendary YF-22 competition against YF-23. While acknowledging that the YF-23 probably had a better furtive and infrared shielding, it attributed the selection of the YF-22 to the concerns concerning Northrop’s performance on the B-2 program.
“Beautiful plane. I actually have a model of one seated on my desk, ”explains Wickert. “In the Air Force Academy, we had both YF-22 and YF-23 in class. We gave the cadets the original DP and challenged them to rethink it for affordability, and we have always explained why the YF-22 was selected. ”
“The YF-23 probably had slightly better characteristics of stealth, with its engine placement and infrared armor. He had more alignment of the platform because of his angular tail surfaces. But Northrop, the developer, was already exceeded the budget and behind the B-2 calendar at the time.
“The two jets met the requirements, but in the end, Lockheed obtained the head sign for the YF-22 so that Northrop can focus on the delivery of the B-2.”
A big thank you to our friend Louis Skupien for the head! Its Podcast Talk4 continues to deliver exceptional aviation content and access to high -level defense leaders. Again, we recommend that you listen to the full episode here.
