The Air Force is developing its next-generation F-47 fighter jet, which is designed to have a substantially greater flight range than its predecessors.
In a recent update shared on X, previously known as Twitter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Allvin revealed that the F-47 will feature a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles. It will also possess enhanced stealth features and achieve speeds over Mach 2, translating to over 1,500 miles per hour.
General Allvin’s announcement also included details about the first wave of semi-autonomous drones, termed collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs). These drones are expected to have a combat radius over 700 nautical miles and stealth capabilities on par with the F-35. The combat radius is crucial as it measures the maximum distance an aircraft can travel from its base or refueling point to execute a mission and return safely.
According to these projections, the F-47 would surpass the range of the F-22 Raptor, which has a combat radius of 590 nautical miles, and the F-35A, which has a radius of 670 nautical miles. Additionally, the F-47’s speed would significantly exceed the F-35A’s top speed of Mach 1.6, or approximately 1,200 miles per hour.
This extended range would be particularly advantageous in potential conflicts in the Pacific region, where Air Force aircraft may need to cover vast oceanic distances to reach targets in airspace where aerial refueling might be compromised. Air Force leaders and defense analysts have voiced concerns about the existing fleet’s range capabilities in reaching distant Chinese targets independently.
In response to these strategic needs, the Air Force adjusted the design requirements for the initial CCAs to enhance their operational range. Andrew Hunter, former Air Force acquisition chief, in a July 2024 interview with Defense News, mentioned that operational input from Air Combat Command was solicited to meet the tactical needs of CCAs. This consultation highlighted the initial designs’ limited range, which would have restricted their effectiveness in Pacific combat scenarios.
Hunter did not specify the exact range capabilities at that time but noted that the Air Force urged contractors to achieve an optimal balance of range, cost, and development timeline. The first two CCAs are being developed by General Atomics and Anduril Industries, which are working on the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A, respectively. The maximum speed of these drones remains classified as per Allvin’s post.
Allvin also indicated that the Air Force aims to have the F-47 and CCAs operational by the decade’s end. The plan includes acquiring at least 185 F-47 jets—a number matching the F-22 fleet it is set to replace—and over 1,000 CCAs.
Concerns over high costs led former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to temporarily halt the NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) program last year. Initially, each NGAD fighter was projected to cost about three times more than an F-35, roughly $300 million each. This pricing challenged the number of NGAD fighters the Air Force could afford, prompting a reassessment of the program to reduce costs.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
