The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that the F-47, the world’s first crewed sixth-generation fighter, was developed through years of covert testing with two X-plane demonstrators.
“For the past five years, the X-planes for this aircraft have been quietly laying the foundation for the F-47 — flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts, and proving that we can push the envelope of technology with confidence,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a statement.
Allvin added that these experimental aircraft played a crucial role in advancing the F-47’s capabilities, allowing the Air Force to move forward with confidence in its investment.
The X-plane demonstrators were developed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, under research and development contracts with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform, according to DARPA. These aircraft first flew in 2019 and 2022, logging several hundred hours each.
Last week, the Air Force announced that Boeing had been awarded the contract for the development of the F-47, which is set to replace the F-22 Raptor as the Air Force’s next-generation stealth fighter.
Dominate the Skies
Get your first look at what will be the most advanced, lethal, & adaptable fighter ever developed… the U.S. Air Force’s F-47. pic.twitter.com/ca1CeBABb5
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) March 21, 2025
Few details about the F-47 have been disclosed. However, Allvin emphasized that the F-47 will surpass the F-22 in multiple aspects.
“Compared to the F-22, the F-47 will cost less, be more adaptable to future threats,” Allvin said. He added that the aircraft will feature a significantly longer range, enhanced stealth, greater sustainability, and higher availability than current fifth-generation fighters.
Additionally, the Air Force official stated that the F-47, which he hailed as “the finest air superiority fighter in the world,” will require fewer personnel and less infrastructure for deployment.
Allvin said that the sixth generation fighter jet is set to take flight during President Donald Trump’s administration.
