Summary and Key Points: The Air Force says Boeing’s F-47 next-generation fighter is tracking toward a 2028 first flight, with the first airframe already in manufacturing.
-General Dale White called the timeline “on time and on target,” echoing a milestone set by former Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.
-The service is touting ambitious goals—more than 1,000 nautical miles of combat radius, speeds above Mach 2, and a buy of at least 185 jets to match the current F-22 fleet.
-A Pratt & Whitney promo video showing a tailless twin-engine concept has fueled speculation, but the real jet remains classified.
Beyond the F-22 Raptor: Why the Air Force is Buying 185 Boeing F-47 NGAD Stealth Fighters
The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fighter is well on the road to delivery, according to a top official.
General Dale White told the AFA Warfare Symposium this week that the Boeing F-47 is set to take its first flight in 2028, which is “on time and on target.”
The Air Force says the model’s inaugural airframe is already being manufactured, just a year after Boeing secured the lucrative contract.
The 2028 milestone was first set out last year by then-Chief of Staff General David Allvin. Meeting the target would be an impressive feat.
Take the example of the F-47’s predecessor, the F-22 Raptor: It was selected in 1991, and the first proper model flew a full six years later.
The Air Force said the impressive jet is set to possess a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles and speeds greater than Mach 2.
At least 185 of these jets are set to be purchased, matching the existing fleet of F-22s.
While the Air Force continues to emphasize schedule and capability, much of the public conversation has fixated on what the jet might actually look like.
A promotional video released by RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney recently ignited speculation after it showed a sleek, tailless twin-engine fighter powered by the company’s XA103 adaptive-cycle engines.
The Connecticut-based firm is competing with GE Aerospace under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion effort to supply engines for the program.
Company officials have described an “adaptive” powerplant capable of shifting its aerodynamic cycle in flight, prioritizing fuel efficiency during cruise and delivering greater thrust in combat.
The aircraft shown in the rendering has a triangular planform, is tailless, and features impressive underslung intakes.
Still, this is simply a promotional preview. It has no actual footage of the forthcoming jet, which remains locked in secrecy.
Why the F-47 NGAD Is So Important
The Next Generation Air Dominance effort has been underway in some form since the 2010s, with experimental X-plane demonstrators reportedly flying for several years.
Much of what will define the F-47’s unique edge, from stealth shaping and sensor integration to networking and propulsion, is still, understandably, classified.
But the ambition is clear, given that Congress has already invested billions in development funding for the upcoming financial year.
For now, however, the F-47 exists more as a set of promises than a visible platform. If the Air Force keeps to its timeline, the first genuine glimpse may arrive within the next two years.
F-47: What It Might Look Like – NGAD Photo Essay
While no one knows for sure what the F-47 will indeed look like when it flies, we have presented below a series of artist photos released over the years that might give some insights in what might finally occur.
NGAD Fighter. Artist Rendering.
NGAD Fighter from Boeing.
NGAD Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
NGAD image. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education. You can follow her on X: @llggeorgia.