The unveiling of the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) air superiority fighter at the White House on March 21 marked a significant moment in the history of military aviation. Shrouded in secrecy for years, the new aircraft was introduced by President Trump, who described it as “something the likes of which nobody has ever seen before.” Present at the announcement in the Oval Office were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, technology, and logistics.
“In terms of all the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability to what it can have as payload. And this has been in the works for a long period of time. America’s enemies will never see it coming,” Trump said.
The newly christened Boeing F-47 will surpass the Lockheed F-22 and F-35 in technology and combat capability. It is designed to eventually replace the F-22 Raptor. Despite claims from China, American officials insist that the F-47 is truly the world’s first crewed sixth-generation fighter. The aircraft has already made several unannounced flights since 2020.
The F-47 will join the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider bomber in the US Air Force’s (USAF) sixth-generation fleet. “The aircraft will have next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities to counter the most sophisticated adversaries in contested environments,” General Allvin said.
What are sixth-generation aircraft?
Sixth-generation aircraft are designed to possess all the features of fifth-generation aircraft, with enhanced capabilities to ensure air superiority. They are intended to have broad-spectrum stealth, minimizing radar detectability across a wide range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. This capability will enable deep-penetration missions in heavily defended battle spaces.
Advanced sensors in sixth-generation aircraft will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and data fusion, allowing them to operate as “flying command posts.” Integrating AI with advanced avionics will enhance battlefield automation and decision-making, blurring the line between human and machine control.
Other features of sixth-generation aircraft include optionally manned sensor fusion and advanced data handling capabilities, including 6G communications speed and greater electric power generation. Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), capable of disabling enemy drones, missiles, and aircraft at a distance without traditional munitions, are also a key feature.
The cockpit will feature augmented reality—a control scheme with little-to-no physical controls, instead displaying features virtually on the pilot’s heads-up display. Motion control and eye-tracking will further enhance interactivity.
Biometric and psycho-analytical monitoring will also be integrated to track pilot health during combat and training. AI will function as an Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA) to assist with aircraft operations and data processing.
Sixth-generation aircraft will process vast amounts of data in real time, enhancing situational awareness and autonomous decision-making. They will communicate with and control Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including drone swarms, providing a decisive advantage in contested environments. Enhanced electronic warfare capabilities will enable the aircraft to handle multiple threats simultaneously.
Contract award
The final competition for NGAD was between Lockheed Martin and Boeing after Northrop Grumman announced in 2023 that it would not compete as a prime contractor.
The USAF awarded the contract to Boeing, funding the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which includes integrating and testing all aspects of the NGAD platform. This phase will produce a small number of test aircraft for evaluation, with competitively priced options for low-rate initial production.
Boeing officials described the contract as one of the most significant investments in the history of their defense business. “We recognize the importance of designing, building a sixth-generation fighter capability for the USAF,” said Steve Parker, interim president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security.
Lockheed Martin expressed disappointment, stating, “We will await further discussions with the USAF.” Lockheed has had major production successes with the F-16 and F-35 programs and continues to modernize the F-22 to maintain combat capability while NGAD is developed.
Boeing’s stock price rose 7% after the announcement, while Lockheed Martin’s stock fell 5.7%.
F-47 design: Features
General Allvin described the F-47 as “the most advanced, lethal, and adaptable fighter ever developed.”
The initial images reveal a conventionally stealthy nose and bubble canopy with a chiseled chine and flattened fuselage. Canards and wings with a distinctive upward angle are also visible, setting the design apart from previous stealth aircraft.
The F-47 features a modular design and an open-systems architecture, allowing frequent updates to software, sensors, and mission gear. Its advanced adaptive engines—dubbed NGAP (Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion)—will shift configurations for optimal thrust and efficiency. General Electric’s XA102 and Pratt & Whitney’s XA103 will compete for the propulsion system.
Flight test: campaign
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) helped refine NGAD technologies through early experimentation.
“US X-planes have been testing NGAD technologies for the last five years, flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts, and proving that we can push the edge of technology with confidence,” Allvin said.
The program’s formal solicitation was announced in May 2023, with the goal of source selection in 2024. The target is to induct the aircraft during Trump’s tenure, which lasts until January 2029.
Operational capability
The F-47 will feature state-of-the-art stealth technologies and will fly alongside autonomous drone wingmen, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
“We are not just building another fighter; we are shaping the future of warfare and putting our enemies on notice,” Allvin said.
The F-47 will have a longer range than the F-22, which has a range of around 3,000 kilometers with external fuel tanks. The USAF is considering two variants—a larger one for the Pacific theater and a smaller one for Europe.
Cost and sustainability
Allvin said the F-47 will “cost less and be more adaptable to future threats.”
The F-22’s average cost was around $350 million, leading to program containment. The USAF allocated $1.66 billion for NGAD in the FY2023 budget and plans to spend $20 billion between 2025 and 2029.
GCAP and FCAS impact
The NGAD selection may affect the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) led by the UK, Japan, and Italy. The GCAP program, aimed at replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon, plans to begin production by 2035.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), developed by France, Germany, and Spain, aims to introduce a sixth-generation fighter by 2040.
The F-47’s early operational timeline could disrupt both GCAP and FCAS by attracting early customers and intensifying competition for funding and talent.
