Recently, the United States has announced the development of its sixth-generation fighter aircraft under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Now officially designated as the F-47, this platform is not just an aircraft but part of a larger “family of systems” that aims to dominate the skies. Although many of its features are still classified, with available information, we can say that it will be an advanced, AI-integrated, and multi-domain-capable aircraft capable of carrying out multiple roles.
Origin and Evolution of the NGAD Program
The NGAD program can be traced back to DARPA’s X-Plane initiative, launched in 2015. This initiative was jointly funded by the U.S. Navy (USN) and, Air Force (USAF), and the primary aim was to develop technologies for a next-generation air superiority fighter to succeed the F-22.
Under this, both Boeing and Lockheed Martin were awarded contracts to develop technology demonstrators. Public data and official hints suggest that Boeing’s demonstrator might have flown as early as 2019, followed by Lockheed’s in 2022. According to General Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff, “For the past five years, the X-planes for this program have been laying the groundwork for the F-47; they have clocked hundreds of hours testing cutting-edge concepts, systems, and subsystems.”
On March 21, 2025, Boeing was officially awarded the NGAD contract, making it the prime contractor. The first full-scale prototype of the F-47 is expected to take flight by 2029, as the platform moves into the production phase.
Design Characteristics: What we know
The design description is based on the pictures available on the internet. Looking at the F-47’s airframe, it seems the design is inspired by the previous stealth demonstrators like Boeing’s Bird of Prey and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) X-36, with a sleek flat nose and continuous chines(Click on the link to see what it looks like) that flow into the fuselage. It features a dihedral wing design, which is to reduce the radar cross-section from below and side angles. The top-mounted(dorsal) air intake design configuration conceals intakes and exhausts from ground-based radars, enhancing stealth during low-altitude penetration missions. In some pictures, canards are visible; however, it can’t be said with certainty that the design would incorporate canards.
Propulsion: Next-Generation Adaptive Engines
Like its predecessors, the F-22 and F-35, which are powered by mighty engines like the F-119 and F-135, the F-47 will be powered by adaptive cycle engines developed under the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The two prime engine contenders are:
- GE XA102
- Pratt & Whitney XA103
Both engines have cleared the Detailed Design Review phase and are progressing toward ground demonstrator construction. These engines are expected to offer:
- Enhanced fuel efficiency
- High thrust-to-weight ratio
- Reduced thermal and radar signatures
- Sustained Supercruise capability without afterburners
This adaptive propulsion allows the F-47 to change operating conditions mid-flight — prioritizing speed, power, and endurance depending on mission needs.
Avionics: Beyond the F-22 and F-35
The F-47 will be equipped with the most advanced avionics system. Compared to its predecessors, the F-22 and F-35, the F-47’s avionics integrate next-generation technologies to work in a multi-domain battlespace. Its radar system will be an improvement. Beyond detection, it also provides robust electronic warfare capabilities, multi-domain target tracking, and a wide-area surveillance envelope.
AI In Combat Decision-Making
One thing is clear: future generations of aircraft will be using AI for various purposes. The F-47 will see advancements in avionics, combining artificial intelligence and sensor fusion. Unlike the F-22’s basic integration or even the F-35’s advanced fusion suite, the F-47’s AI doesn’t just assist in anticipating threats, but it prioritizes threats and proposes solutions, effectively becoming a mission co-pilot.
Distributed Aperture System (DAS): A 360° Sixth Sense
The F-47’s enhanced DAS offers 360° coverage, painting a real-time picture of air and ground threats with pinpoint precision.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA): The Loyal Wingmen
One of the central components of NGAD is the integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs)—advanced drones designed to operate alongside the F-47. These unmanned aircraft will serve various roles:
- ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
- Strike missions
- Jamming and Electronic Warfare
- Acting as decoys or forward sensor nodes
The F-47 pilot will act as a commander for these wingmen, coordinating their actions in real time. This gives the NGAD platform unmatched force multiplication, survivability, and flexibility in operations.
Hypersonic Capability
According to the information that we know (as exists in the public domain), there is no indication that F47 is going to be a hypersonic aircraft, so it is just a speculation; however, the concept is entirely possible because there is a firm in the US called Hermeus working on hypersonic aircraft designed to achieve speeds exceeding Mach 5. They are developing a hybrid engine called “Chimera,” which combines a turbojet for takeoff and subsonic/supersonic flight with a ramjet that kicks in at higher speeds (at Mach speeds), enabling the transition to hypersonic flight (watch Drakstart flight in Top Gun 2). So there is a possibility, but only time will tell.
Directed Energy Weapons: Light-Speed Lethality
There will be integration of Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), such as high-powered lasers or microwave systems, for both offense and defense. Capable of engaging targets at the speed of light with precision, these systems provide virtually unlimited firing capacity (or at least till the engine melts). It can neutralize incoming missiles, drones, or electronic threats, creating a solid defense.
Optional Crewing: A Dual-Mission Combat Architecture
The F-47’s design includes an optional crewing feature, allowing it to operate either with a human pilot or autonomously. In high-risk or heavily contested environments, the aircraft can function unmanned, preserving human life. For complex operations requiring human judgment, a crewed configuration could be opted for.
Possible Operational Roles
The important function or role of the F-47 will be to penetrate anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments like those being developed by adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. While the F-22 and F-35 may struggle to operate deep in contested airspace without support, the F-47 will be tailored for deep strike, air dominance, and networked warfare in highly defended zones.
Unlike previous programs, the NGAD emphasizes open architecture, modular upgrades, and government ownership of data rights — lessons learned from the F-35 experience.
China’s J-36: The Other Sixth-Gen Contender
Parallel to the F-47, China is developing its own sixth-generation fighter, the J-36, under the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Key features include:
- Delta wing design with no vertical stabilizers
- Three-engine configuration with unique dorsal intake arrangement
- Deep-penetration capabilities at high altitude
- Heavy weapons payload and multi-role flexibility; from known dimensions, it is larger than the J20
- Advanced EW systems and side-facing radars
- Reported first flight in 2024
The J-36 seems to be tailored for operations over the Western Pacific, possibly aimed at out-ranging and outlasting U.S. assets in the region and reaching U.S. targets in Guam and Hawaii.
F-47 vs J-36: Comparison
Though Little Early to compare, still the comparison is based on what we know
| Feature | F-47 NGAD | J-36 |
| Developer | Boeing | Chengdu |
| Design | Dihedral wings, stealth bowl shape | Delta wing, no vertical stabilizers |
| Propulsion | Adaptive Cycle Engines (2) | Tri-engine concept |
| First Demonstrator Flight | 2019 | 2024 |
| (Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) MUM-T) capability | Yes | Unknown |
| Directed Energy Weapons | Likely | Unknown |
| AI Integration | Confirmed | Likely |
| Operational Entry | ~2030s | ~2030s |
Costs: The Price of Air Superiority
The F-47 NGAD program is set to become one of the most expensive military programs in history.
- Program Cost: Expected to exceed $100 billion
- Unit Cost: Estimated between $200M–$300M per aircraft
- Procurement Plan: At least 200 aircraft (estimated)
This cost includes not only the aircraft itself but also the development of CCAs, advanced propulsion, avionics, and infrastructure. Despite concerns about affordability, the USAF justifies the expense as critical for maintaining technological superiority in air combat for decades to come.
Export Of NGAD?
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the aircraft will be open for exports, which came as a surprise announcement, considering historically, the U.S. has also been cautious in sharing cutting-edge technologies, as seen in the case of the F-22. On the other hand, the export potential of the F-47 NGAD fighter remains limited due to economic and geopolitical factors. With a projected unit cost nearing $180 million, even traditional U.S. allies may be reluctant to invest in a downgraded export variant. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has openly expressed his doubt that partner nations would accept such an aircraft.
Furthermore, key allies like Japan, the UK, and Italy are already developing their indigenous sixth-generation programs like Tempest, reducing the demand for U.S.-made alternatives. And strategically considering the recent 180-degree turnaround of US foreign policy concerning Ukraine, many of the US allies will now think twice before making such decisions, as seen in Portugal considering ditching its plan to buy the F-35s.
Conclusion
The F-47 NGAD isn’t just another stealth fighter. It’s the template for future warfare as it will be AI-assisted, drone-integrated, quantum-connected, and built to dominate air warfare. The NGAD program will determine how the next generation of air warfare is fought and who wins.
