At NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Boeing has begun the construction of the Air Force’s inaugural F-47 fighter jet, with plans for its first flight to take place in 2028, as announced by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin on Monday.
During his address at the Air and Space Forces’ Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Gen. Allvin revealed that Boeing commenced the production of the advanced sixth-generation fighter shortly after being awarded the contract in March.
“This platform, along with its associated systems, is set to secure our air dominance for the future,” remarked Gen. Allvin. “We’ve already started manufacturing the first model since announcing the F-47 a few months ago. We need to maintain a rapid pace.”
Previously known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), the F-47 is designed to succeed the F-22 Raptor. Details on this highly confidential aircraft are limited, but it is anticipated to feature cutting-edge stealth technology, armaments, and engines, and it will operate alongside unmanned aerial vehicles known as collaborative combat aircraft.
A graphic shared by Gen. Allvin in May outlined that the F-47 will have a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and will be capable of speeds surpassing Mach 2, which is over 1,500 miles per hour.
According to a statement made by Gen. Allvin in May, the Air Force intends to acquire at least 185 F-47 jets, potentially equaling or surpassing the number of F-22s.
Gen. Allvin emphasized the necessity for the Air Force to establish overwhelming superiority in the skies in any future conflict, asserting that the F-47 will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
“Merely landing punches isn’t sufficient,” he stated. “We need to demonstrate to adversaries that we have the capacity to decisively win.”
At his keynote at the AFA conference, Gen. Allvin praised the dedication of the team working on the F-47, showing a video of Boeing employees in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrating upon hearing the news from President Donald Trump that they would be building the F-47.
“These are not merely employees clocking in for work; they are individuals committed to achieving something significant for our country,” Gen. Allvin commented. “Across America, from manufacturing floors to laboratories, to flight lines where testing occurs, these team members are laying the groundwork for future dominance.”
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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.
