LAS VEGAS, — The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with plans to construct a $1.057 billion F-47 Future Campus at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, dedicated to supporting the operational testing of Boeing's sixth-generation F-47 fighter.
A presolicitation notice published on October 22 outlines a design-and-build project seeking up to four qualified contractors. The Air Force plans to make an initial contract award by February 2027, with the main facilities targeted for completion in early March 2031. The project will use a progressive design-build approach under an Other Transaction Agreement.
F-47 Campus Facilities and Construction Timeline
The campus will be located primarily on the east side of Nellis Air Force Base. The initial construction phase includes a 117,000-square-foot combined operations and maintenance facility, a specialized systems-reprogramming laboratory of approximately 39,200 square feet, and a simulator facility covering nearly 41,000 square feet.
The project will also include an aircraft apron with sunshades covering approximately 1.15 million square feet, along with supporting utilities and infrastructure.
The planned schedule provides approximately nine months for design and preconstruction work, followed by around 40 months of construction.
Potential subsequent phases extending through 2032 could add up to six additional facilities, including hangars for fuel-system maintenance, specialized facilities for stealth coating application and repair, weapons-loading training areas, maintenance training facilities, a consolidated maintenance facility, and a dining facility.
The Air Force's fiscal 2027 budget request includes $730 million for F-47 hangars and supporting infrastructure, identifying Nellis as the aircraft's operational testing hub. The $1.057 billion campus estimate includes construction, design, security, contingency, and other applicable project costs.
Boeing F-47 Fighter and Testing Plans
The Boeing F-47 is being developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the engineering and manufacturing development contract on March 21, 2025.
The crewed fighter is intended to gradually replace the F-22 Raptor fleet during the 2030s. Its planned capabilities include advanced stealth, data sharing, electronic warfare systems, and the ability to coordinate semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin stated in 2025 that the F-47 would have a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed above Mach 2. These capabilities are intended to support operations across long distances, including the Indo-Pacific region.
Experimental testing for the program has been underway since 2020. The first official F-47 test aircraft is under construction, with its maiden flight planned for 2028.
Initial flight testing is expected to take place at Edwards Air Force Base, while Nellis will focus on operational testing and integration. The Air Force aims to bring the aircraft into operational service by 2029, with plans to acquire at least 185 aircraft.
The new campus will provide the facilities required to support the F-47's operational testing, maintenance, training, and integration as the aircraft progresses toward service entry.
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