US Air Force to get Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jet
Designated as the F-47
US President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) will proceed with producing its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet platform. This major step forward marks a significant milestone in the country’s military development, paving the way for the eventual replacement of the USAF’s fleet of F-22 Raptors.
The NGAD platform is not just a single aircraft but a sophisticated, networked system of technologies, including a stealth fighter jet, drone components, and various other interconnected systems. The platform is designed to operate in tandem, ensuring total air superiority and securing the skies for decades.
Addressing a news conference at the White House in Washington DC on March 21, 2025, and accompanied by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump said: “I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet.”
Trump stated that no other system in the world would come close to the capabilities of the new aircraft. The fighter jet component of the NGAD platform will be designated the F-47.
Watch the video here:
Trump emphasised the F-47’s unparalleled capabilities, describing it as the most advanced, capable, and lethal combat aircraft platform ever built. He said the NGAD programme represents a historic investment in the nation’s defence industrial base, ensuring that the United States remains at the cutting edge of aerospace technology for years to come.
Hegseth echoed Trump’s sentiments, highlighting the strategic importance of the F-47 and its role in ensuring America’s continued air dominance. “This is a big day for our warfighters. Because of this sixth-generation fighter, America will maintain generations of air dominance,” Hegseth remarked.
Powerful message
Hegseth further stressed that introducing the F-47 sends a powerful message to US allies and adversaries. “It’s a direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere and to our enemies that we can, and we will, project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come,” he added.
Hegseth also underscored the NGAD programme’s importance in revitalising the US military’s warrior ethos. By investing in this advanced platform, the US government is enhancing the US military’s operational capacity and strengthening America’s defence industrial base, creating jobs, and fostering innovation.
At the press conference, General David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, elaborated on the revolutionary capabilities of the NGAD platform. The fighter jet’s ability to seamlessly integrate with drone technology will bring unprecedented lethality and modernisation compared to previous weapons systems. General Allvin described this integration as a key factor in “unlocking the magic of human-machine teaming”.
“NGAD is allowing us to look into the future and unlock the magic that is human-machine teaming,” General Allvin said. “We’re going to write the next generation of modern aerial warfare with this.”
Allvin explained that one key advantage of the NGAD programme is the flexibility it offers the USAF in terms of keeping pace with rapidly advancing technologies. The programme’s structure, he said, gives the US government more control over the platform’s development, ensuring it can be updated and adapted at the “speed of relevance” and “at the speed of technology.”
While no specific costs or timelines for the production of the NGAD were disclosed during the press conference, Allvin did confirm that the F-47 would cost less than the F-22. He further stated that the F-47 would be more adaptable to future threats, with significantly improved range, stealth, and sustainability. The F-47 would also be more supportable and available than existing fifth-generation fighters.
Trump said the F-47 fleet would be operational and flying during his current administration. “We’re building them, and they’ll be in the air under my watch,” he affirmed.
Image: Artist’s rendering of the F-47. Credit: USAF
