Boeing’s F-47 Sixth-Generation Fighter Expected to Fly Sooner Than Anticipated

At the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies for Defence Conference on 29 August, Colin Miller, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing’s Phantom Works division, announced that the first flight of the F-47, the U.S. Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter, will take place much earlier than most expect. While technical specifics remain classified, Miller stressed that the jet—“born in Phantom Works”—was built on decades of research and rapid prototyping.

Miller highlighted that Boeing has made an unprecedented upfront investment in production facilities, especially in St. Louis, even before contract awards. “We’re 100 percent resourced and ready to deliver,” he said. This approach, he argued, allows Boeing to move faster than traditional defense timelines.

F-47 and the Next Generation Air Dominance Program

The F-47 is Boeing’s entry into the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, intended to replace the F-22 Raptor. In 2025, Boeing won the multi-billion-dollar contract to develop the aircraft, defeating Lockheed Martin.

Key performance goals include:

• Stealth++ design with advanced radar-evading features.

• Supercruise capability, enabling sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.

• A combat radius of over 1,000 nautical miles (~1,850 km).

• Top speed exceeding Mach 2.

• The ability to act as a networked “quarterback” fighter, directing autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs).

The Air Force plans to acquire around 185–200 F-47s, alongside a larger fleet of CCAs, creating a “family of systems” for future air dominance.

Why the First Flight May Come Early

• Phantom Works expertise: The fighter was developed within Boeing’s advanced projects division, known for rapid innovation.

• Heavy early investment: New buildings and production lines in St. Louis were launched years ahead of schedule to accelerate readiness.

• Streamlined development: Officials suggest the first flight could take place within the current U.S. administration, far quicker than usual aircraft programs.

• Possible secret tests: Defense insiders have speculated that experimental versions may already have been flying since the early 2020s.

Strategic Importance

The F-47 is more than just a fighter—it’s part of a strategic shift in U.S. airpower, designed to counter China and Russia’s advances in stealth and hypersonic weapons. Acting as a command hub with drone wingmen, it will redefine aerial combat.

For Boeing, the program marks a major turnaround, especially after delays with the KC-46 Pegasus tanker and the T-7A Red Hawk trainer. With the F-47, Boeing’s defense unit is once again positioned at the center of American airpower.

What’s Next

• First flight: Likely much sooner than previously thought, possibly within the next couple of years.

• Testing & integration: Focus will be on pairing the F-47 with autonomous CCAs.

• Deployment: Full operational service is expected in the mid-2030s.

Boeing’s bold investments and Phantom Works’ secretive development process suggest the F-47’s debut will come faster than expected, ushering in a new era of sixth-generation air combat.