The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation F-47 fighter is now expected to make its maiden flight in 2028, after leaders advanced the timeline by roughly a year. Manufacturing of the first article is underway as service officials emphasize speed and schedule, highlighting a platform designed to fly faster than Mach 2 with a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles.

Timeline Shift and Production Start

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told an industry audience, “We got to go fast… The team is committed to getting the first one flying in 2028,” advancing the previous target of early 2029; he added that manufacturing on the initial F-47 has begun. These remarks, delivered at the Air, Space & Cyber gathering, frame 2028 as the new near-term milestone for first flight.

Performance Targets and Design Aims

Public materials indicate the F-47 is planned to achieve a combat radius beyond 1,000 nautical miles and speeds above Mach 2, with officials touting “stealth++” characteristics over current fifth-generation jets; the goal is longer-range, higher-survivability air dominance. These parameters, released by the service earlier this year, set performance benchmarks that outpace today’s F-22 and F-35 fleets.

Industrial Footprint and Program Context

The program reinforces U.S. fighter production capacity as it transitions toward sixth-generation air combat, with at least 185 aircraft discussed by officials and an acquisition push aligned to great-power competition. Air Force statements this week underscore schedule urgency, while budget plans anticipate development running into the early 2030s.