The engineering and manufacturing development phase of the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 program is underway and the aircraft is expected to take its inaugural flight in the near future, according to a military official.
Described as a model of “extreme teaming” with industry collaborators, the initiative has transitioned into this new phase with “unprecedented maturity,” stated Gen. Dale White, the director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, during a keynote speech at a gathering in Dayton, Ohio.
This phase involves advancing, integrating, and testing all components of the F-47. It will also facilitate the production of a limited series of test aircraft for assessment purposes and includes options for initiating low-rate initial production at set prices. The specific number of test aircraft was not disclosed by White.
The maiden flight of the first Boeing F-47 is scheduled for 2028. The Air Force plans to procure at least 185 units of the F-47, which will replace the currently serving F-22 Raptor fleet.
“The F-47 will take to the skies during this administration,” Gen. White remarked at the Life Cycle Industry Days event, hosted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
In his role, which includes direct reporting to the deputy defense secretary, White oversees the management of various weapons systems, including both the F-47 and B-21 initiatives.
In March 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the military would move forward with the development of the sixth-generation Boeing F-47 fighters under the Next Generation Air Dominance program, or NGAD, aimed at succeeding the F-22 Raptor fleet.
Trump highlighted the superior attributes of the fighter jet, “from its speed and maneuverability to its payload capacity,” asserting that it would be operational during his term and emphasizing its groundbreaking features.
“This initiative has been in development for a long time,” he added. “It will catch America’s adversaries by surprise.”
The NGAD program, encompassing the F-47 and other Collaborative Combat Aircraft, aims to establish air superiority. The modular design of the F-47 is crafted to incorporate emerging technologies and integrate long-range strike capabilities to address threats in highly contested areas.
Funding for the F-47 program was set at $3.45 billion for the fiscal year 2026 and over $5 billion in the budget request for fiscal 2027.
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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.
