Meet the F-47: The Air Force’s New Stealthy Superstar

"Revvin up your engine

LIsten to her howlin' roar

Metal under tension

Beggin' you to touch and go

Highway to the danger zone

Ride into the danger zone"

-Danger Zone, song by Kenny Loggins, featured in Top Gun

The U.S. Air Force just pulled the curtain back on their latest toy: the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet from their Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, and it's set to change the dynamics of the battlefield once again as the nature of warfare continues to evolve in the 21st century.

President Trump spilled the beans on March 21, 2025, right from the Oval Office, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force bigwig General David Allvin nodding along. Boeing’s the crew tasked with building this thing, and it’s already sounding like a total beast.

But why all the excitement and hype?

This isn’t some fresh-off-the-drawing-board idea. Trump let slip that they’ve been secretly testing versions of the F-47 for about five years now. While we were all just living our lives, they had this thing buzzing around in the shadows. And it’s already way further along than many would have expected.

What Distinguishes the F-47 Jet From Its Predecessors?

According to President Trump, it features advanced stealth technology, rendering it “virtually unseeable” to detection systems. This capability is critical for evading sophisticated air defense networks, such as those deployed by China.

Additionally, the aircraft is reported to exceed speeds of Mach 2 and offers exceptional maneuverability, attributes that position it as a formidable presence in aerial combat. Industry reports suggest it performs with such agility and speed that it outclasses existing fighters, enhancing its tactical advantage in dynamic operational environments.

But there's something even more compelling about this new aircraft.

The F-47’s not a lone wolf—it rolls with a posse of drones, these Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) they’re calling “loyal wingmen.” These uncrewed drones function under the jet’s command, forming a coordinated network that enhances its operational reach and effectiveness.

President Trump has highlighted this capability as unparalleled globally, underscoring its uniqueness among contemporary fighter jets. This innovative approach to networked warfare represents a significant advancement in military aviation technology.

Boon for Boeing and the Military Industrial Complex

Boeing’s pumped about this—landing the $20 billion contract is huge for them. They’ve been dumping cash into new setups in St. Louis, and it’s finally paying off after some rough patches.

Things don't look as rosy for competitor Lockheed Martin, though, having lost out after ruling the roost with the F-22 and F-35. Boeing’s back in the game, big time.

We’re still in the dark on a lot, like what it looks like exactly—though some sketches floating around show a slick, tailless vibe with sharp wings. And the price tag? Trump wouldn’t touch that question, saying it’s all hush-hush for now.

What we do know is it’s lined up to take over from the F-22 Raptor by the decade’s end, and it’s got some serious shoes to fill.

Bottom line, the F-47 sounds like a formidable new jet for the 21st century—with its stealth, speed, and drones in tow. How quickly other nations may catch up to this is anyone's guess, but with this kind of technology, U.S. air dominance is once again on the rise - and the business of war continues to profit in our economy, for better or worse.