Free Republic

The U.S. Air Force’s plan to buy “at least 185” F-47 sixth-generation fighters is “dangerously delusional” and inadequate for a future war. To maintain air dominance against peer competitors like China, the U.S. needs a fleet of at least 400-500 F-47s. The current plan repeats the historic mistake made with the F-22 Raptor, where a small, boutique fleet was procured that proved insufficient for global demands.

While the F-35 is a capable 5th-generation fighter, it is a transitional “stopgap” that is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the evolving threats from China and Russia. To maintain air dominance, the U.S. must rapidly develop the 6th-generation F-47. The F-47 is envisioned not just as a faster, stealthier fighter, but as a “quarterback” for the entire battlespace, orchestrating drones, cyber operations, and other assets.

The future of air combat lies not in singular “game-changing” technologies like drones or AI, but in integrated, multi-domain systems like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). This sixth-generation fighter, a tripartite venture between the UK, Italy, and Japan, emphasizes networked warfare, advanced sensors, and adaptable design to counter peer adversaries. However, its success is far from guaranteed. The program must overcome the defense industry’s historical challenges with procurement, cost overruns, and delays to deliver a truly revolutionary capability by its 2035 target, ensuring it doesn’t become another high-tech, low-impact “battleship” of the skies.

US President Donald Trump announced that Boeing has been awarded the contract to produce the US Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet, the F-47. The aircraft, classified as a sixth-generation fighter, is expected to be the most advanced fighter jet ever developed. "I'm thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet, and nothing in the world comes close to it," Trump said at the White House. .... Snip.... Advanced capabilities and strategic impact The F-47 incorporates advanced stealth technology, artificial intelligence systems, and autonomous command and control...

A new image of the F-47 was unveiled on the announcement of the contract win. Credit: U.S. Department of Defense