The U.S. has not yet disclosed detailed specifications of the F-47 but claims it surpasses the F-22 in many aspects.
On March 21, President Donald Trump announced that Boeing had been awarded the contract to develop the next-generation air dominance (NGAD) fighter. The F-47 is expected to gradually replace the F-22, a stealth fighter that has been in service for over 20 years. Although specific details of the F-47 remain undisclosed, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin confirmed that it would be the world's first manned sixth-generation fighter jet. The aircraft will feature advanced stealth technology, integrated sensors, and long-range strike capabilities to counter sophisticated threats.
Graphics released by the U.S. Air Force depict the F-47 with a distinctive design compared to the F-22 and F-35. The aircraft has a flat, angular fuselage—common characteristics of stealth fighters—but includes forward canards on both sides of the cockpit. Both the canards and main wings are angled upward rather than lying on the same plane as the F-22.
"The F-47 has a significantly greater range than the F-22," General Allvin stated, though he did not provide exact figures. In contrast, the F-22 can reach a maximum range of nearly 3,000 km with external fuel tanks, while its combat radius without additional fuel is approximately 1,100 km at subsonic speeds.
NGAD technologies have been tested over the past five years, and General Allvin confirmed that the F-47 will take flight during Trump's presidency. This means Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have less than four years to bring the project to reality.
President Trump declined to disclose the contract value or delivery timeline, but U.S. media estimates place the deal at a minimum of $20 billion, excluding potential future orders worth hundreds of billions.
In 2024, the NGAD program was temporarily halted due to cost concerns. It is one of the most expensive research and development projects in the U.S. Air Force budget. However, General Allvin assured that the F-47 would be more cost-effective, mass-produced, and better suited to future threats.
The U.S. Air Force aims to acquire between 220 and 250 aircraft under the NGAD program. In 2018, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that each aircraft could cost around $300 million, though the current figure may be significantly higher.
For comparison, Lockheed produced prototypes of the YF-22 between 1989 and 1990 before winning the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition in 1991. Lockheed then took six years to complete the first full-fledged F-22 flight, and the aircraft did not enter service until 2005—more than 14 years after being selected in the ATF program.
Initially, the U.S. Air Force planned to purchase 750 F-22s, but the number was reduced to 381 and eventually to just 195 aircraft built between 1995 and 2011. This total included eight test units and 187 combat-ready fighters.
Each F-22 had a production cost of $140 million, excluding expenses for research, infrastructure, and maintenance. When factoring in these additional costs, the price per unit rose to approximately $350 million.
Currently, the U.S. operates 183 F-22s, but only 125 are combat-ready. A 2023 Pentagon report revealed that only 52% of F-22s were mission-ready at any given time. According to General Allvin, the F-47 will have a higher operational readiness rate and will be easier to maintain than the F-22.
The F-47 is expected to feature "high adaptability," likely due to digital engineering and an open-systems architecture, allowing for frequent updates to software, sensors, and auxiliary equipment to meet specific combat scenarios.
The U.S. Air Force has not explained why Boeing was chosen over Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-22 and F-35.
Boeing has faced numerous issues with its military aircraft programs, including the KC-46 tanker, T-7 trainer jet, and VC-25B Air Force One, leading to nearly $10 billion in cost overruns. Its commercial aircraft have also experienced multiple safety and quality concerns in recent years.
Lockheed Martin has similarly struggled with cost overruns and delays in the F-35 program. The company expressed disappointment over Boeing winning the F-47 contract and stated that it would "continue discussions with the U.S. Air Force."
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