The United States is leading the charge to create the next generation of fighter aircraft that will shape the air combat of decades to come. At the forefront of this endeavor are two aggressive programs: the Air Force’s F-47 and the Navy’s F/A-XX. These sixth-generation fighters are more than replacements for older planes, but rather a complete overhaul of the way battles are fought and won in the skies of an evolving world.
The Air Force’s F-47, a Next Generation Air Dominance project, was recently unveiled as Boeing’s victorious design over competitors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Even former President Donald Trump dubbed it “the most dangerous aircraft ever made.” Constructed as a stealthy, long-range F-22 Raptor replacement, the F-47 has already been taking experimental flight tests.
It is more than a fighter, but it is at the heart of a “family of systems,” meant to fly alongside autonomous drones called Collaborative Combat Aircraft. They are unmanned wingmen that will expand their presence, enhance survivability, and add firepower as and when required.
Boeing’s success in the F-47 is particularly noteworthy because its less-efficient Super Hornet production line is on the verge of closing. Executives have described the program as their most significant defense investment to date. The aircraft will be powered by a next-generation adaptive engine from GE or Pratt & Whitney that will be more efficient, easier to maintain, and less costly than previous models.
On the Navy’s behalf, the F/A-XX is in development to succeed the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. The carrier-based fighter is designed to more than double the range of existing jets, feature advanced stealth capabilities, artificial intelligence battle management, and the capability to refuel in mid-air. Designed with the Pacific’s long distances in consideration, the plane is meant to maintain carrier strike groups effective and deadly far from home.
Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly has stressed that the F/A-XX will collaborate extensively with unmanned systems, including the MQ-25 aerial refueling drone, to prolong the endurance of carrier forces. The program has experienced its own set of budget challenges, but Congress has recently approved $1.4 billion to continue its development. Navy officials say that without the F/A-XX, they would have to make the older planes last longer or buy more fifth-generation fighters—both expensive alternatives.
One of the biggest challenges for both the Air Force and Navy programs is whether or not the defense industry can produce two sixth-generation fighters simultaneously. Officials at the Pentagon have had worries about production capacity and the pressure on resources, but Boeing’s participation in both efforts could assist with streamlining development if managed properly.
From a tech perspective, these planes are a quantum leap ahead of anything currently in the skies. They have tailless designs, self-adjusting engines, sophisticated artificial intelligence, and complete integration with drones. While the F-35 was developed to network forces between different branches, the new jets are created ground up for distributed and autonomous operations within highly contested environments.
The urgency behind these programs is driven by the rapid pace of global advancements in stealth and missile technologies. While the United States still holds an edge, leaders recognize that the margin is narrowing, and staying ahead is critical to maintaining air dominance. Delays in development could risk losing the upper hand in future conflicts where control of the skies will be decisive.
Unmanned teaming is also essential to this vision. Collaborative Combat Aircraft will perform a range of missions, serving as scouts, electronic warfare platforms, decoys, and secondary weapons carriers. By combining manned fighters with autonomous capabilities, pilots will have more tactical options and improved survivability in hostile airspace. This combination of human expertise and machine assistance is broadly regarded as the future of air combat.
Ultimately, the competition to develop the F-47 and F/A-XX is more than about deploying new aircraft. It is a challenge of creativity, political determination, and industrial capability. The choices made now will not only decide the future generation of warplanes but will also decide how the United States defends its airspace, deters competitors, and maintains its position as a preeminent power in airpower for decades to come.