Advanced Production Line Up, Targeting 2028 First Flight

Boeing announced that its Phantom Works has commenced the building of the F-47 sixth generation fighter as its advanced composites and coatings plant is up and running.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said at the Air, Space, & Cyber Conference held by the Air & Space Forces Association that the USAF is targeting 2028 for the first flight of the F-47.

Phantom Works is hoping to also use its production line for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX if the company wins that competition.

With an outlay of $400 million in the FY 2025 reconciliation act for the F-47, officials think the 2028 date is conservative, but if a final appropriations bill in FY 2026 does in fact contain an anticipated $3 billion for the aircraft in FY 2026, that timeline could be accelerated.

The Air Force selected Boeing over Lockheed Martin in March to start engineering and manufacturing development for the F-47 for its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Gen. Allvin said at the conference, “We gotta go fast, and I’ll tell you, team, it’s almost 2026. The team’s committed to getting the first one flying in 2028. In a few short months after we made the announcement they are already beginning to manufacture the first article.”

The NGAD initiative also includes the development of new CCA, or collaborative combat aircraft drones, as well as advanced jet engines, sensors, electronic warfare suites, weapons, networking environments, battle management capabilities, and more.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/