U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $20 billion contract to develop the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet that will form the backbone of America’s future air dominance strategy. The announcement, made by President Donald Trump on March 21, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
Introducing the F-47
The F-47 is designed to replace the aging F-22 Raptor and usher in a new era of high-tech, multi-domain air combat. While still in development, experimental models of the F-47 have already undergone secret test flights over the last five years. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
Key features of the F-47 will include:
- Advanced stealth capabilities
- Next-gen sensor fusion and data sharing
- AI-powered systems and battlefield awareness
- Integration with drone wingmen via the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program
The F-47 is not just a jet—it’s a "family of systems", built to command and coordinate both manned and unmanned platforms in highly contested airspace.
The jet’s official designation—F-47—raised eyebrows across political and military circles, as it appears to echo Donald Trump’s title as the 47th President of the United States. While the Pentagon has not confirmed whether the number was chosen deliberately, Trump wasted no time claiming it as a symbolic victory.
“The F-47 will be the most lethal aircraft ever built,” he said during a press event. “It will dominate the skies and ensure peace through unmatched strength.”
This contract is a massive win for Boeing, which has struggled in recent years with setbacks in both commercial aviation and defense manufacturing. The F-47 program will revitalize Boeing’s military aircraft production, especially at its facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.
It also marks Boeing’s return to the forefront of U.S. fighter jet production, a space that has recently been dominated by Lockheed Martin (F-22, F-35).
The F-47 is the manned centerpiece of the NGAD initiative, which envisions a modular system of aircraft working together: piloted fighters, autonomous drones, and advanced communication platforms.
With the Air Force looking to outpace rising threats from China and Russia, the NGAD—and now, the F-47—are central to future U.S. defense strategy.