“Game-Changer in the Skies: US Starts Building F-47, First Sixth-Gen Fighter to Fly by 2028”

Air Force Chief Shares Update on F-47 at AFA Conference

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin offered a short update on the F-47 during his keynote remarks at the Air & Space Forces Association’s 2025 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, attended by TWZ. Back in March, President Donald Trump officially announced Boeing as the winner of the Air Force’s competition for the crewed fighter portion of the broader Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative. NGAD also covers new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, next-gen engines, weapons, electronic warfare tools, advanced sensors, networking frameworks, and battle management systems.

“After years of effort, countless test flights, and thousands of man-years in labs, the President revealed the F-47,” Allvin said. “This platform, combined with the rest of the NGAD family, will guarantee air superiority well into the future.”

Most details about the F-47 remain tightly classified. At present, only two official renderings of the fighter exist, and officials have warned they may not reflect the jet’s actual appearance due to operational security concerns.

One debated feature in those images is the use of canard foreplanes. These could improve maneuverability but present challenges for maintaining the highest levels of radar stealth. Analysts have noted that the designs might also include intentional misdirection to protect sensitive features.

The Air Force has stated that the F-47 should have a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles and reach speeds above Mach 2. That range offers at least a 25% advantage over current U.S. fighters. However, it remains unclear how efficiently the aircraft will supercruise—fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.

Boeing is also competing in the Navy’s F/A-XX program for a next-generation carrier fighter. Its concept art for that program bears noticeable similarities to the renderings tied to the F-47, hinting at shared design elements.

“The adversary isn’t slowing down,” Allvin said. “They’re pushing ahead, and we can’t afford to pause either. As we build next-gen capabilities, we need to focus on the entire system, not just the aircraft. What truly delivers advantage is how all the pieces connect and work together.”

Sixth-generation fighter aircraft: The next leap in air combat

The sixth-generation fighter represents a new class of combat aircraft that is envisioned to surpass the fifth-generation jets currently in service or under development. Several nations have announced independent programs to build their own sixth-generation fighters, while others have partnered in multinational efforts such as the Global Combat Air Program and FCAS to share research, development, and procurement costs. The first operational sixth-generation fighter is projected to enter frontline service in the 2030s.

Key Features of the F-47 Sixth Generation Fighter

Experts and defense analysts expect this fighter to offer the following features:

Digital Engineering: Built using model-based design methods to make development faster and smarter.
Advanced Digital Systems: Includes high-speed networks, AI-powered tools, data fusion, cyber capabilities, rapid decision-making capabilities, and robust command, control, and communications (C3).
Efficient Power Tech: Uses gallium nitride in power transistors for better performance and energy efficiency.
Multiple Operation Modes: Can be flown by a pilot, remotely controlled, or operate autonomously with onboard AI in a single frame.
Human-system integration: Virtual cockpits, helmet-mounted displays with 360° views, AI-assisted awareness, and replace traditional instrument panels.
Stealth and Avionics: Designed with high-level stealth features and advanced avionics for maximum effectiveness.
Variable-cycle engines: Allows the jet to cruise efficiently over long distances and switch to high thrust when needed.
Extended-range weapons: Can carry stand-off and beyond-visual-range weapons for precise attacks.
Directed-energy weapons: Can include laser-based close-in weapon systems (CIWS) for defense.
Smart software design: Keeps flight-critical systems separate from non-critical systems to ensure reliability and safety.
Suborbital flight capability: Can fly close to space for global reach, evade missiles, and support satellites.

Concepts and Technology

The US Navy and Air Force share common priorities for their next-generation jet programs. Both emphasize artificial intelligence as a decision-making partner for pilots, non-GPS navigation systems, and a communications network capable of transferring large amounts of data between aircraft.

In 2015, the Navy announced that it was working with the Air Force to publish a joint analysis of options (AoA) for a sixth-generation fighter. This effort allows each service to evaluate shared options before tailoring its own solution. For the Navy, the focus is on replacing and enhancing the mission set of the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. AoA is driven by research in propulsion systems, airframe shaping, broadband and infrared stealth, and electromagnetic spectrum dominance. The Navy’s strategy also considers how the F-35C can serve as a forward sensor node for a carrier air wing. Its integration with other platforms, providing greater collective capability, will help shape the Navy’s sixth-generation F/A-XX, which is expected to offer much greater speed and range than the Super Hornet.

F-35A: Air Dominance for the Future

The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A gives the U.S. Air Force and allies the unmatched ability to control the skies anytime, anywhere. This agile, flexible, high-performance, 9g-capable multirole fighter combines stealth, advanced sensor fusion, and unparalleled situational awareness.

With logistics accounting for nearly two-thirds of the aircraft’s total life cycle cost, the F-35 is designed for exceptional reliability and ease of maintenance. It combines this with a rapid, integrated support and training system powered by cutting-edge information technology. At its core, the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) tracks current performance, operating parameters, aircraft configuration, planned upgrades, and service history. It also provides predictive diagnostics, health monitoring, training, mission planning, scheduling, and service support. In short, ALIS works behind the scenes to maintain readiness, optimize planning, and keep the aircraft combat-ready.

The F-35 also features advanced tactical data links that securely connect flight members to other airborne assets, ground systems, and surface platforms essential for mission success. With partner nations committed to common communications systems and web-enabled logistics, the Joint Strike Fighter Coalition enables a new era of interoperability. These capabilities position the F-35 to lead the global transformation toward a fully net-centric warfighter.

FAQ

Q1. What is the F-47 fighter and why is it important?

The F-47 is the U.S. Air Force’s new sixth-generation fighter jet, designed to be faster, smarter and more capable than current jets. It will fly by 2028 and will carry drones, advanced sensors and other high-tech systems that will help the U.S. stay ahead in air combat. Its long range and speed make it a game-changer in the skies.

Q2. What special features will the F-47 have?

The F-47 is expected to have advanced stealth, AI-assisted flight, digital cockpits and the ability to operate with or without a pilot. It can carry long-range weapons and also use laser-based defenses. Experts say it can also fly close to space to evade threats and assist in satellite missions.

Q3. How does the F-47 compare to the F-35?

The F-35 is already a very advanced jet, but the F-47 takes air combat to the next level. While the F-35 focuses on stealth, sensors, and networked teamwork, the F-47 adds AI, super-speed, suborbital flight, and smart weapons systems. It is designed to work with drones and other next-generation aircraft for a complete air dominance system.