The US Air Force’s engine prototype for the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program has been delayed by more than two years and now will not be completed before the end of the decade.
NGAP aims to build dynamic engine solutions to power the US military’s next-generation fighter planes, including the Trump administration’s F-47 aircraft.
The work is intended to be finalized by late fiscal 2027, but new budget documents reveal it is now delayed to mid-fiscal 2030, resulting in a postponement of more than two years, according to a Breaking Defense report.
“The updated schedule in the budget documents reflects supply chain challenges encountered by the program,” an air force spokesperson told the outlet.
NGAP Progress
Under the NGAP program, the US Department of Defense is working with GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney to develop rival fighter engines.
Both companies already passed a detailed design review in February 2025, allowing their respective offers to transition into engine fabrication and necessary tests prior to selection and production.
Initial contracts awarded to each firm in 2022 had a ceiling value of $975 million. In 2025, the deals were increased to $3.5 billion, signaling the Pentagon’s commitment to advancing the effort.
Contenders on Track
Commenting on the recent NGAP delay, a GE Aerospace representative told Breaking Defense that the firm “is executing the NGAP contract schedule as proposed.”
A Pratt & Whitney spokesperson confirmed similar progress, saying that while the military is best positioned to speak to timelines, the company is “successfully executing the NGAP program” and fulfilling its commitments according to the air force’s requirements.
“Pratt & Whitney is closely collaborating with our supply chain to enhance delivery by implementing advanced digital design models that will streamline manufacturing and inspection processes,” the source said.
