US Air Force says F-47 fighter has reached 'unprecedented maturity'; from AI-powered drones, to stealth tech, here's what we know about this sixth-generation jet

The U.S. Air Force has said that its F-47 fighter program has reached an "unprecedented maturity" level, suggesting America's next-generation air superiority aircraft is progressing faster than expected.

The US Air Force expects the aircraft's first flight in 2028 and plans to acquire 185 fighters, making it the future replacement for the F-22 Raptor.

While much of the F-47 remains classified, the latest update offers one of the clearest indications yet that the U.S. Air Force's flagship sixth-generation fighter program is moving steadily toward operational service.

All about F-47

Unlike previous generations of combat aircraft, the F-47 is being developed as the centerpiece of a broader networked combat system rather than as a standalone fighter.

One of its defining features will be its ability to operate alongside Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) — autonomous "loyal wingman" drones that can support crewed fighters during combat missions. These drones could undertake tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, carrying additional weapons or acting as decoys, allowing the crewed aircraft to remain farther from danger.

This approach represents a significant shift in how future air battles are expected to be fought, with a single pilot coordinating multiple unmanned aircraft during a mission.

Built to replace the F-22

The F-47 will eventually replace the F-22 Raptor as the Air Force's primary air superiority fighter. The service plans to procure 185 F-47s, roughly matching the size of today's operational F-22 fleet.

While the F-22 established itself as one of the world's first operational fifth-generation stealth fighters, the F-47 is expected to build on that foundation with advances in stealth, sensor integration, networking and human-machine teaming.

What could make the F-47 a sixth-generation fighter?

Although the U.S. Air Force has not disclosed detailed specifications, defense officials and publicly available program documents suggest the F-47 will represent a significant leap over today's fifth-generation fighters.

Unlike the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, which primarily operate as individual aircraft within a larger force, the F-47 is being designed as the centerpiece of a networked combat system. It is expected to feature enhanced stealth across radar, infrared and electronic signatures, artificial intelligence-assisted mission management, advanced electronic warfare capabilities and sensor fusion that combines information from aircraft, satellites and other platforms into a single picture for the pilot.

The aircraft is also expected to use an open-architecture design, allowing software and hardware upgrades to be integrated more quickly as new technologies become available.

Designed to fight alongside AI-powered drones

Perhaps the biggest change will be how the F-47 fights.

Instead of operating alone, the sixth-generation fighter is expected to command multiple Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), often referred to as "loyal wingman" drones. These autonomous or semi-autonomous aircraft could carry additional missiles, conduct reconnaissance missions, jam enemy radar systems, act as decoys or even engage targets under human supervision.

The concept is intended to give commanders greater flexibility while reducing the need to expose crewed aircraft to the most dangerous parts of a battlefield.

The Air Force has yet to release official performance specifications for the F-47. However, publicly available assessments indicate the aircraft could have a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles (more than 1,850 kilometres), a top speed above Mach 2, improved stealth compared with the F-22 and enhanced survivability against advanced integrated air defence systems.

Its exact dimensions, weapons payload, radar capabilities and other key performance parameters remain classified.

Advanced engine and stealth technologies

The F-47 is also expected to benefit from next-generation propulsion technology. The Air Force originally planned to equip the aircraft with an adaptive-cycle engine capable of switching between fuel-efficient cruising and high-thrust performance depending on mission requirements. However, development timelines suggest the earliest production aircraft may initially fly with an interim engine before transitioning to the more advanced propulsion system later.

The aircraft is also expected to incorporate further refinements in stealth technology, including improved shaping to reduce radar reflections, lower infrared signatures, larger internal weapons bays and more advanced electronic attack systems. Despite these expectations, the Air Force has released very little information about the aircraft's actual design, and many of its capabilities remain closely guarded.