The U.S. Air Force has taken a monumental leap in military aviation with the Boeing F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, selected as the cornerstone of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Announced on March 21, 2025, by President Donald Trump alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin, the F-47 promises to reshape air superiority with unmatched stealth, speed, and technological innovation.
Boeing secured the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract, defeating Lockheed Martin in a highly competitive bid. The F-47, designed to succeed the F-22 Raptor, is set to enter service between 2025 and 2029, with plans to procure over 185 units. According to a graphic released by General Allvin, the jet boasts a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and a top speed surpassing Mach 2, positioning it as a formidable asset in contested environments.
“The F-47 will be the crown jewel in the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems,” General Allvin declared during the announcement, emphasizing its role in maintaining U.S. air superiority. “With the F-47, we will strengthen our global position, keeping our enemies off-balance and at bay,” he added, highlighting its advanced stealth, extended range, and adaptability compared to predecessors like the F-22.
This contract is Boeing’s first U.S. Air Force fighter contract since the P-26 Peashooter era, excluding inherited platforms like the F-15 and F/A-18. Steve Parker, interim president and CEO of Boeing’s Defense, Space, and Security division, underscored the company’s commitment: “In preparation for this mission, we made the most significant investment in the history of our defense business, and we are ready to provide the most advanced and innovative NGAD aircraft needed to support the mission”. Boeing’s $1.8 billion advanced production facility within its Defense, Space & Security division supported the bid, signaling a robust industrial foundation for the program.
The F-47’s design remains shrouded in secrecy, with official images described as deliberately distorted to mislead adversaries. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, “Boeing artists produced images that already deliberately distorted some of the NGAD’s features,” with further alterations by the Air Force to obscure critical design elements like engine configuration and air inlets. A former senior Pentagon official, commenting on the jet’s unusual canard and wing configuration, cautioned, “Why would you assume that’s the actual design?”. Such measures underscore the sensitivity of the F-47’s stealth and aerodynamic advancements.
The jet is engineered to operate within a “family of systems,” integrating with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones to enhance situational awareness and lethality. General Allvin noted that the F-47 will offer “next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities to counter the most sophisticated adversaries”. Its reduced radar signature, lower maintenance requirements, and higher mission readiness compared to the F-22 make it a strategic asset for rapid deployment.
However, the program faces challenges. China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements critical for avionics, announced in response to U.S. tariffs, could disrupt production. Industry sources expressed concern to Reuters, noting that some aerospace manufacturers rely solely on Chinese suppliers for these materials. Additionally, the United Kingdom’s reported consideration of revoking a stealth technology license amid trade disputes poses a potential hurdle for NATO collaboration.
The F-47’s development also occurs against a backdrop of global competition. China is advancing its own sixth-generation fighter, tentatively dubbed the J-36, with prototypes spotted in late 2024, while the UK, Italy, and Japan collaborate on the Tempest program, targeting a mid-2030s delivery. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg emphasized the F-47’s long-term significance, stating on an April 2025 earnings call, “Being the prime defense contractor for the world’s first sixth-generation fighter will secure our fighter franchise for decades to come”.
Critics, including former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, have questioned the timing of the contract award. In a Defense News op-ed, Kendall argued, “The decision to buy the F-47 needs to be the right choice for the future—this is the only new crewed fighter aircraft the Air Force will likely pursue for a long time”. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin, after losing the NGAD bid, plans to upgrade its F-35 to a “fifth-generation plus” platform, aiming to achieve 80% of the F-47’s capabilities at half the cost, according to CEO James Taiclet.
As the F-47 moves toward operational status, it represents a bold step in countering emerging threats and maintaining U.S. air dominance. With prototypes already tested since 2020, built on DARPA X-plane experiments, the jet is poised to redefine aerial warfare—if it can navigate geopolitical and industrial challenges.
