“With the F-47, we will strengthen our global position, keeping our enemies off-balance and at bay.”                                                                                                                           David W. Allvin

The war in Ukraine has revolutionized drone and electronic warfare, and many states are reinventing their military strategies to utilize drones for reconnaissance and military strikes in contested areas. As the global race for air dominance intensifies, developed states such as the US, Russia, and China are pushing the race to lead in international sea, land, and air dominance. The US and China are showcasing their technological prowess and signaling to reshape the global air architecture with the development of 6th-generation fighter jets. Unlike 5th-generation fighter jets, 6th-generation Gen. Fighter jets are confined to greater maneuverability while improving stealth capabilities, integrating AI, and upgrading energy weapon systems.

The Boeing F-47 is designed to replace the legendary Raptor F-22

The game-changer Boeing F-47 is expected to be the most advanced fighter aircraft ever built, incorporating cutting-edge stealth technology, advanced sensor fusion, AI-powered drone swarms, extended operational range, and sophisticated logistics requirements. The Boeing F-47 is designed to replace the legendary Raptor F-22. It aims to outmaneuver, outthink, and outfight anything in the skies and contested environment to maintain the US Air Force’s global air hegemonic pride. It is being developed under the flagship program of the USAF’s broader Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, which aims to create a “Next Generation Combat Ecosystems” for air dominance.

F-47 is expected to work in tandem with a new fleet of family of systems, with a crewed fighter referred to as penetrating counter air (PAC), which will be the central command and control.  Penetrating counter-air force will be supported by the unscrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA). The PCA is envisioned as a long-range, high-speed, stealthy sensor-shooter aircraft supported by additional unmanned drones (CCA), which are being built by other companies such as General Atomics and Anduril Industries.

The estimated cost of F-47 is three times higher than that of the F-35 Lightning II

In a high-stakes race, Boeing has outperformed Lockheed Martin, the pioneer of F-35 production, by contracting $200 million to build the F-47 fighter jet. The F-47 NGAD program started its prototype tests in 2020, but was paused in 2024 due to soaring production prices per unit. The estimated cost of F-47 is three times higher than that of the F-35 Lightning II. Despite the high costs, on March 21, 2025, Trump announced the contract with Boeing to leap over fifth-generation fighter jets and boosted production of the military aviation section, particularly fighter jets.

The officials do not yet classify the F-47’s game-changing features, but according to Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, these are the anticipated capabilities of the F-47 based on its design.

The F-47 is expected to have a more extended operational range and endurance than the F-22, comprising a range of 1850 miles to conduct deep missions in the contested environment of the Indo-Pacific region. The F-22 has two refueling tanks, which reduce its effectiveness in contested areas, while the F-47 does not require consistent fuel refilling. The F-47’s NGAD program consists of two variants: one with a greater range covering long distances, such as the Pacific theatre, and one with a smaller range more suited to shorter ranges, covering the European theatre. While the Chinese two prototype 6th-generation fighter jets have more strike capabilities, reaching out to the US bases such as Guam, Hawaii, and Japan

The F-47 will operate alongside the drone swarms for unmatched power projection, and the crewed fighter will increase the effectiveness and operationalization of the missions 

The F-47 will operate alongside the drone swarms for unmatched power projection, and the crewed fighter will increase the effectiveness and operationalization of the missions while keeping the human in the loop (HITL). There are no official stances on loyal wingmen-drones regarding the Chinese 6th-generation fighter jets. Still, they are highly energy-powered and consist of two pilots—one might be for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), energy weapons systems, and potential energy-directed weapons.

It is anticipated to be a Mach-2 class aircraft incorporating next-generation state-of-the-art stealth technology and sensor fusion capabilities that bypass enemy radar and defense systems. F-47 is designed for modular or adaptive platforms. The two variants, one canard delta configuration- prioritizing agility for dogfighting or rapid repositioning in contested airspace, increased maneuverability, and a tactic for foreign intelligence.

It will be cheaper than the F-22, which costs $350 million per unit, burning the financial capacity to acquire a larger fighter aircraft fleet

According to Trump, ‘we cannot tell you about the cost and size of the plane, but it is a good-sized plane’. According to Allvin, the F-47 will cost less and be more adaptable to future threats, and we will have more of them in our inventory. It will be cheaper than the F-22, which costs $350 million per unit, burning the financial capacity to acquire a larger fighter aircraft fleet.

According to Allvin, F-47s will be more sustainable, supportable, and available than fifth-generation fighters. Advances in stealth surface treatments will reduce the labor-intensive maintenance required in earlier fifth-generation aircraft. It gives leverage over the Chinese 6th-generation fighter jets, which are three-engine based, consume higher energy, and have less agility due to their spacious size.

The development of F-47 fighter aircraft will enable the U.S to carry on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of China in a contested environment of the Indo-Pacific region

The development, induction, and deployment of F-47 fighter aircraft alongside drone swarms will drastically change the rules of the air game while providing the space for the U.S to lead the global air next generation dominance. According to Gen. David Deptula, the U.S. is pushing the technological arms race and changing warfare tactics by integrating all services against adversaries, commonly called integrating deterrence. Thus, it becomes necessary, overtly or covertly, for the U.S to win the war against enemies through air superiority. The development of F-47 fighter aircraft will enable the U.S to carry on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of China in a contested environment of the Indo-Pacific region.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.