US Ghost Jet Revealed: The F-47 Emerges After Five Years of Stealth Operations

On March 21, 2025, President Donald Trump revealed that Boeing has been awarded a contract to create the F-47, a next-generation fighter jet set to transform air superiority for the United States Air Force.

During a press conference at the White House, Trump characterized the aircraft as “the most advanced, powerful, and lethal fighter ever built,” marking a significant achievement in the Pentagon’s Next Generation Air Dominance program, known as NGAD.

The announcement, made in the presence of military officials and industry leaders, disclosed that an experimental version of the F-47 has been in secret flight testing for about five years, with intentions to achieve full operational capability by the decade’s end.

This decision represents a crucial advancement in the U.S. military’s strategy to uphold aerial dominance in light of increasing competition from countries such as China and Russia, whose advanced fighter initiatives have raised alarms among defense analysts.

The F-47 is the result of years of covert development under the NGAD program, which was initiated to replace aging aircraft like the F-22 Raptor, a key component of American air superiority since its debut in 2005.

According to Trump, the jet’s capabilities exceed those of any aircraft currently in the U.S. inventory, with an estimated unit cost of $300 million, reflecting its state-of-the-art technology and ambitious design.

Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, secured the contract over rivals such as Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of both the F-22 and the F-35 Lightning II.

While the specific characteristics of the F-47 remain under wraps, military officials at the announcement suggested that it boasts exceptional stealth capabilities, agility, and seamless integration with unmanned systems, establishing it as a key element in the future of aerial combat.

Information regarding the F-47’s development began to emerge prior to the White House announcement. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, managed by the Air Force, has been underway for over ten years, with initial reports of a prototype aircraft taking to the skies as early as September 2020.

At that time, Will Roper, who was the Air Force’s acquisition chief, disclosed that a prototype had already set records, although he refrained from naming the manufacturer or detailing the aircraft’s specifications. This level of confidentiality continued until this week when President Trump confirmed Boeing’s involvement and officially designated the project as the F-47.

The president mentioned that the jet’s experimental phase commenced approximately five years ago, which aligns with speculation that test flights may have occurred at secure sites such as Area 51 in Nevada or Edwards Air Force Base in California, although these locations have not been officially verified.

The F-47’s estimated cost of $300 million per unit has already ignited debate among lawmakers and defense experts. In comparison, the F-22 Raptor, which the F-47 is intended to replace, has a price tag of around $150 million per aircraft, while the F-35, a multirole fighter utilized by various branches of the U.S. military and allied nations, ranges from $80 million to $100 million depending on the variant.

The high price tag of the F-47 is indicative of the sophisticated systems it incorporates, including what officials refer to as cutting-edge stealth technology that makes it almost undetectable by enemy radar.

Moreover, the aircraft is engineered to function in conjunction with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs)—unmanned drones that enhance the F-47’s operational range and firepower without putting additional pilots at risk.

This integration of manned and unmanned systems signifies a transformation in the Air Force’s approach to future warfare, where interconnected combat and artificial intelligence are expected to play pivotal roles.

Boeing’s choice over Lockheed Martin, a well-established name in fighter jet manufacturing, surprised some analysts. Despite facing significant cost overruns and technical issues, Lockheed’s F-35 program has successfully delivered over 1,000 units, solidifying its position in contemporary military aviation.

Conversely, Boeing has encountered its own challenges, including setbacks in its KC-46 tanker initiative and the notable grounding of its 737 MAX commercial aircraft following two tragic accidents in 2018 and 2019.

Nonetheless, Boeing’s expertise with military jets like the F/A-18 Super Hornet and its involvement in classified projects likely strengthened its proposal for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

A representative from Boeing, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the contract, stated that the company is “honored to collaborate with the Air Force on this groundbreaking platform,” although they refrained from providing further details until additional approval from the Pentagon is secured.

The Air Force has been discreet regarding the technical details of the F-47, but insights from military officials offer some understanding of its capabilities.

During a recent event at the White House, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force Chief of Staff, briefly highlighted that the aircraft is designed for “contested environments” where adversaries have advanced air defense systems.

Analysts suggest that this indicates the F-47 is specifically designed to counter threats from systems such as Russia’s S-400 missile defense and China’s HQ-9, which endanger older stealth aircraft like the F-22 and F-35.

Brown also mentioned the jet’s “adaptable design,” implying it may feature modular systems that can be upgraded over time, contrasting with the fixed designs of earlier fighter jets that often required expensive retrofitting to address new threats.

One of the most compelling elements of the F-47’s design is the integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft. These drones, developed alongside the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, are intended to act as “loyal wingmen,” capable of performing functions such as electronic jamming, reconnaissance, or even delivering munitions, allowing the F-47 pilot to concentrate on command and control tasks.

The idea is not entirely novel—Boeing’s Loyal Wingman initiative, created for Australia, showcased similar technology with its MQ-28 Ghost Bat. However, the scale and sophistication that the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program promises elevate it to a new level.

At a 2023 symposium organized by the Air Force Association, Major General Thomas J. Lawhead, a prominent figure in the NGAD planning process, referred to the integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as a “game-changer.” He highlighted that a single F-47 could potentially manage multiple drones in real-time, significantly enhancing its combat capabilities without expanding its physical presence.

The strategic backdrop for the F-47’s development is crucial. China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon, a stealth fighter launched in 2017, and Russia’s Su-57 Felon, which became operational in 2020, have significantly closed the technological gap with U.S. air forces.

Both of these aircraft feature advanced radar systems, long-range missiles, and varying levels of stealth, posing a challenge to the previously unassailable position of the F-22. The Pentagon’s 2022 China Military Power Report, released by the Department of Defense, cautioned that Beijing intends to deploy a fleet of over 1,000 fighter jets by 2035, many of which will be J-20s or newer models.

Likewise, Russia has made substantial investments in hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare, capabilities that could undermine older U.S. aircraft in future conflicts. The F-47, expected to be deployed around 2030, represents the Air Force’s strategy to counter these threats, ensuring that American pilots retain a competitive advantage in any potential confrontation.

Funding for the F-47 program is likely to spark debate in Congress. The Air Force’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, anticipated later this year, is expected to allocate significant resources for NGAD, building on the $1.5 billion already invested in research and development through 2024, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Critics, including some members of the House Armed Services Committee, have raised concerns about whether the substantial expense of the F-47 is warranted, particularly in light of the Pentagon’s ongoing funding for the F-35 and advancements in technologies such as hypersonic missiles.

Representative Adam Smith, a senior Democrat from Washington state, stated in a recent interview with Defense News that “we must ensure that every dollar spent translates into tangible capabilities, rather than mere assurances.”

On the other hand, proponents contend that neglecting to upgrade the fighter fleet could jeopardize air superiority against adversaries, a situation that could have dire consequences for national security.

Public sentiment regarding the F-47 announcement has been varied, as seen in early discussions on social media platforms like X. Aviation fans celebrated the introduction of a new American fighter, with one user describing it as “a beast that will safeguard our skies for decades.”

Conversely, some voiced doubts about the aircraft’s cost, with one commenter remarking, “Three hundred million per plane? That better come with a guarantee to win every war.”

The confidentiality surrounding the jet’s development has also sparked speculation, including unverified assertions that it features directed-energy weapons such as lasers—a claim the Pentagon has neither confirmed nor denied. These rumors are expected to continue until more definitive information is released, potentially during congressional hearings or upcoming Air Force presentations.

For Boeing, securing the F-47 contract offers an opportunity to regain momentum after a difficult decade. Following Trump’s announcement, the company’s stock experienced a 4% increase in after-hours trading, reflecting investor confidence in its military sector.

However, timely and budget-compliant delivery of the F-47 will be essential for sustaining this momentum, particularly given the scrutiny the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is likely to encounter as it advances.

The Air Force intends to gradually retire the F-22, with the last of its approximately 180 Raptors expected to be decommissioned by the mid-2030s, allowing the F-47 to take a prominent role.

As the NGAD initiative progresses, the F-47 remains somewhat enigmatic, with its complete capabilities known only to a limited number of individuals within the Pentagon and Boeing.

What is evident is that this aircraft signifies a significant investment in the future of aerial warfare, merging human creativity with state-of-the-art technology to address the challenges of an evolving landscape.

Whether it fulfills its promise as the “most advanced fighter ever built” will hinge on years of testing, refinement, and, crucially, the unpredictable nature of the battlefield it aims to conquer.

At this moment, the announcement signifies the start of a new era in American military aviation, one that is poised to influence the skies for many years ahead.