Can the F-47 save Boeing?
The sixth-generation fighter contract goes to Boeing and looking back on a brave X-15 pilot
"A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood."
- George S. Patton
Mission Briefing
Boeing Secures NGAD Contract: Meet the F-47, America's Next-Gen Fighter
Did Boeing get the F-47 contract to “spread out” the defense spending, or was it earned/deserved? You can weigh in on the poll located at the end of this article.
In one of the most highly anticipated and fiercely contested aviation contracts in recent history, Boeing has officially secured the massive $20 billion deal to build the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter—now officially designated the F-47. This groundbreaking aircraft isn't just another fighter jet; it's a significant leap forward in military aviation technology, poised to redefine air combat for decades to come.
Just months ago, the future of the NGAD program was uncertain, with some in the Pentagon considering canceling it entirely. Rising interest in unmanned drones and the successful development of Northrop Grumman’s stealthy B-21 Raider led many to wonder whether piloted fighter aircraft were on their way out. However, Boeing’s victory has breathed new life into NGAD, clearly signaling America’s continuing commitment to maintaining piloted air dominance.
The F-47 introduces revolutionary capabilities tailored explicitly for today's geopolitical realities. While its legendary predecessor, the F-22 Raptor, was designed during the Cold War primarily to fight over relatively smaller distances in Europe, the F-47 has been strategically developed with the vast distances of the Pacific theater in mind. It features dramatically extended range, enabling longer missions with less reliance on aerial refueling. This capability is essential to maintaining strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific, where friendly airbases can be few and far between.
One of the most revolutionary features of the F-47 is its unique flexibility—it can operate as either a manned fighter or a fully autonomous aircraft. Borrowing from the successful design philosophy of Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider, this dual-mode operation allows pilots to take control when needed or stay safely removed from the battlespace during high-risk scenarios. This unprecedented operational flexibility greatly reduces the risk to human pilots without sacrificing mission effectiveness.
Additionally, the F-47 NGAD serves as the central node or "quarterback" for an entire fleet of advanced drone wingmen—officially called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). These drones autonomously handle critical roles such as electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and precision strikes. Controlled by the F-47’s advanced avionics and artificial intelligence-driven systems, CCAs multiply the effectiveness of manned platforms exponentially.
Winning the NGAD contract is particularly important for Boeing. After several challenging years—including financial setbacks, production delays, and the infamous 737 MAX crisis—the aerospace giant badly needed a breakthrough moment. Thanks to Boeing's extensive experience from their 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas, the company brought decades of fighter expertise to the table, including producing the iconic F-15 Eagle and the versatile F/A-18 Super Hornet. This deep defense industry background helped Boeing convincingly secure the contract, countering skeptics who believed the Air Force simply awarded the deal to diversify defense projects among Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Indeed, Boeing’s NGAD victory carries broader significance for the entire U.S. aerospace industry. Now, with Boeing spearheading NGAD, Lockheed Martin continuing production of the highly successful F-35 Lightning II, and Northrop Grumman leading the B-21 Raider and the Navy’s future F/A-XX fighter, America’s three largest aerospace firms each control major military aviation projects. This diversification fosters innovation through healthy competition, reduces reliance on any single contractor, promotes technological advancement, and sustains thousands of specialized American jobs nationwide.
Finally, speculation around the designation "F-47" adds further intrigue. Could it be a subtle reference to President Trump, America's 47th president, tying this major military program symbolically to the current administration? Or perhaps it merely reflects a sequential numbering after Lockheed Martin’s F-35? Other aviation enthusiasts suggest a hidden significance—such as a timeline milestone of 2047 for full-scale deployment.
One thing is certain: the F-47 NGAD program is ushering in a dynamic new chapter in aviation history. Keep an eye out below— the video featuring my take on the F-47 is below in a later section, but first its time to hear from you:
This Week in Aviation History
On March 24, 1960, NASA Chief Research Test Pilot Joseph Albert Walker conducted his inaugural flight in the North American Aviation X-15 hypersonic research rocketplane. This mission marked a pivotal moment in the X-15 program, which was instrumental in advancing our understanding of high-speed, high-altitude flight.
The X-15, bearing the tail number 56-6670, was air-launched from a Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress (serial number 52-003) piloted by John E. Allavie and Fitzhugh L. Fulton. After release over Rosamond Dry Lake at 3:43 p.m. local time, Walker ignited the rocket engine, propelling the aircraft to Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph) and reaching an altitude of 48,630 feet. The entire flight lasted just over nine minutes, concluding with a landing on Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base.
Joseph Walker's contributions to the X-15 program were significant; he completed 25 flights between 1960 and 1963, achieving a maximum speed of Mach 5.92 and reaching altitudes up to 354,200 feet. Tragically, Walker lost his life in a mid-air collision on June 1, 1966, while piloting a Lockheed F-104N Starfighter.
The X-15 Program: Pioneering the Path to Space
Initiated in the 1950s, the X-15 program was a collaborative effort involving NASA (then NACA), the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and North American Aviation. The primary objective was to explore the challenges of hypersonic flight and gather data critical for the development of future aircraft and spacecraft.
Three X-15 aircraft were constructed, completing a total of 199 flights from 1959 to 1968. These missions provided invaluable insights into aerodynamic heating, stability and control at high speeds, and the physiological effects of spaceflight on pilots. Notably, eight pilots flew above 50 miles in altitude, qualifying them for astronaut wings.
The X-15 set several records that remain unmatched. On October 3, 1967, pilot William J. "Pete" Knight achieved a speed of 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7), the highest speed ever recorded by a crewed aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft reached altitudes up to 354,200 feet, effectively crossing the boundary of space.
The program's findings significantly influenced the design of subsequent spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle, and contributed to the advancement of materials and technologies essential for human space exploration.
Today, the first X-15 aircraft (56-6670) is preserved at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, serving as a testament to this groundbreaking era in aviation history.
In Case You Missed It
I am overwhelmed by the response to this video, here is my take on the F-47 so far:
Photo Outlet
Every issue of Hangar Flying with Tog gets you a free image that I’ve taken at airshows:
Feel free to use these photos however you like, if you choose to tag me, I am @pilotphotog on all social platforms. Thanks!
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-Tog
You might double check who was the 47th president of the United States.
The only way they can do so is to deliver on time and with in budget. But being the have become a DEI company I doubt that will happen