The Chief of the U.S. Air Force has announced that the production of America’s sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet has begun, and its first flight is expected by 2028.
This announcement comes three weeks after China showcased its new military machinery during a recent military parade.
During the “Air, Space and Cyber Conference” held in Washington, the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin said that Boeing Company has begun preparing the first unit of the F-47. He further said that this aircraft will replace the F-22 under the “Next Generation Air Dominance” (NGAD) program.
According to General Allvin, we have to move forward rapidly. The team’s target is to have this aircraft in the air by 2028. After years of research, hundreds of testing hours, and thousands of hours of human labor, we have reached this point.
He also stated that just a few months after the announcement, Boeing started building the first unit. We are ready, and we must continue the work swiftly.
It should be noted that in March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump officially announced that Boeing had been tasked with the development of the sixth-generation fighter jet under the NGAD program. President Trump also said that the experimental models of the F-47 had been secretly flown for the past 5 years, and its first flight took place in 2019.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the first flight of the F-47 will take place before the end of President Trump’s current term, i.e., before January 2029.
According to experts, this aircraft will include supersonic speed, advanced stealth technology, AI-based weapons, and the ability to coordinate with drones. This aircraft will not only challenge the enemy’s air power but will also maintain connections with other platforms through network-centered warfare.
After China recently showcased fighter jets and hypersonic missiles in a military parade, the U.S. announcement is also being seen as a strategic message. Analysts say that this is a major step in the ongoing race for air superiority in the region.
The U.S. Air Force has already approved funding for the production of the F-47, and further investment is expected in the upcoming fiscal year.
