The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is one of the few fifth-generation military aircraft currently in operation. Compared with all the others still flying in the world, it’s a true junior, having been born just 16 years ago. Yet, in the fast-evolving world of today, it’s already in need of some upgrades.

Enter the XA100 Adaptive Cycle Engine, a piece of technology in the process of being made in the labs of General Electric (GE). It’s a piece of hardware described as capable of giving the F-35 revolutionary capabilities (next-gen combat propulsion, they say), and more importantly, it’ll probably make its way into the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft, the so far-called Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

America’s Is Testing New F-35 Super After Upgrade, Faster Lightning, More Deadly