First Boeing-Built F-47 Fighter Under Construction, To Fly in 2028: USAF Chief Confirms

First F-47 Now Under Construction, USAF Predicts Maiden Flight in 2028

The United States Air Force’s (USAF) much-anticipated next-generation air dominance fighter, known as the F-47, is now being built and its first flight is expected in 2028, Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference.

Boeing was selected in March to lead the program, previously called Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), to develop what will become the successor to the F-22 Raptor. In a show of accelerated momentum, Boeing’s team has already begun manufacturing the first airframe just months after the contract was awarded.

What We Know So Far: Specifications & Ambition

Though many details remain classified, Gen. Allvin has released some public sketchwork of what the USAF expects from the F-47:

• Combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles.
• Maximum speeds in excess of Mach 2 (or more than 1,500 miles per hour).
• Advanced stealth features, new engines, and integration with autonomous “wingmen” drones, often called collaborative combat aircraft.
• USAF aims to procure at least 185 units — a number that would match or surpass the current size of the F-22 fleet.

Strategic Rationale: Why the F-47 Matters

The F-47 is central to USAF’s push to retain air superiority in an era of increasingly capable peer competitors. Gen. Allvin emphasized that dominance in future air warfare will require systems that can not only “land the punch,” but also visibly communicate strength to deter aggression.

According to Allvin, Boeing and its workforce are deeply committed and energized by the project. In his words, “these aren’t people who just show up to work … they want to put together the dominance for the future.”

Challenges & Unknowns

Given the high degree of classification around the F-47, several key aspects remain opaque:

• Operational costs, maintainability, and integration into existing force structures have yet to be detailed.
• The success of the collaborative drones and autonomous systems depends heavily on software, AI, and secure communications, which often lag behind expectations.
• The geopolitical environment and budgetary pressures may affect delivery timelines or the total number of units purchased.

Broader Context & Implications

Historically, the USAF’s transition from one generation of fighters to the next (e.g., from F-15/F-16 to F-22) has involved long lead times, cost overruns, and technical trade-offs. The speed indicated by this announcement — that construction has already begun within months of selection — suggests a desire to compress those phases.

In addition, the emphasis on radius and high speed reflects anticipated requirements in the Indo-Pacific region, where long over-water range and rapid response are increasingly critical. This suggests that the F-47 is not just built for peer contests over Europe, but also to project U.S. air power across oceans and contested zones.

Analysis: What to Watch Going Forward

1. Testing & Flight Envelope
   The timeline to first flight by 2028 is ambitious. Key milestones to track include engine development, stealth signature verification, and the performance of its autonomous wingmen. Delays in any of these could push back operational capability.
2. Force Structure & Production Rates
   Though 185 airframes are planned, how quickly they can be produced and deployed will matter, especially if the F-22 fleet continues to age. The degree to which the F-47 replaces or complements existing fighters (like F-35s) will impact USAF strategy and budget allocations.

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