AFA 2025: USAF targets 2028 for first flight of F-47

A graphical representation of the Boeing F-47, announced as the winner of the USAF's NGAD contest in March 2025. The aircraft will have a range of over 1,000 n miles, according to USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin. (USAF)

The US Air Force's (USAF's) top general officer said service officials are planning for the inaugural flight of its F-47 jet fighter to take place by 2028, three years after Boeing was awarded the development contract in March 2025.

“It is almost 2026 [and] the team is committed to get the first one flying in 2028,” USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin said at the Air and Space Forces Association's (AFA's) Air, Space & Cyber conference in National Harbor, Maryland. “We're ready to go fast. We have to go fast,” he added during his 22 September keynote address.

The four-star general's comments come months after unveiling details of the F-47 programme on social media in May. At that time, service and company officials were planning for the aircraft's first flight to take place before the end of 2029, with the fighter hitting operational status between 2025 and 2029, according to the post. Gen Allvin also noted in the post that the estimated F-47 fleet size would be at least 185 aircraft.

In terms of proposed capabilities, post claimed the F-47 would have a combat radius of over 1,000 n miles and a top speed greater than Mach 2. The graphic also partially disclosed the USAF's intended F-47 operating fleet size of at least 185 aircraft. Boeing's F-47 was selected as the winner of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contest in March, which is designed to replace the F-22 as the USAF's primary air superiority fighter.