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US Air Force chief sheds further light on NGAD program

Air

24 March 2025

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By: Reporter

 

US Chief of Staff to the Air Force, General David Allvin, has lifted the veil of secrecy on the successful contender for the multibillion-dollar Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

The latest contract for the F-47 – the Next Generation Air Dominance platform – marks a significant turning point in ensuring US air superiority for decades to come.

This multibillion-dollar deal underscores the US Air Force’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of aerial combat while paving the way for the evolution of its NGAD program.

The F-47 is not simply another fighter jet. It represents a generational leap, designed to outpace, outmanoeuvre and ultimately outclass any potential adversary. Its development is built on the extensive groundwork laid by the NGAD program, which has evolved over the past several years.

Experimental X-planes have quietly clocked hundreds of flight hours, testing pioneering concepts and proving that technology can be pushed further than ever before.

Gen Allvin said, “For the past five years, the X-planes for this aircraft have been quietly laying the foundation for the F-47 – flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts and proving that we can push the envelope of technology with confidence. These experimental aircraft have demonstrated the innovations necessary to mature the F-47’s capabilities, ensuring that when we committed to building this fighter, we knew we were making the right investment for America.”

A major driving force behind this new platform has been the realisation that the ageing F-22 fleet, despite being one of the world’s finest air superiority fighters, requires a modern replacement.

The F-47 offers a host of advantages over its predecessor – it is designed to be more cost-effective, boasts a significantly longer range, incorporates advanced stealth capabilities, and is engineered to be more sustainable and easier to deploy. This “built to adapt” philosophy means the F-47 is well equipped to counter future threats in increasingly complex operational environments.

While the F-22 has served as the backbone of air dominance, its limitations in terms of operational cost and flexibility have spurred the US Air Force to accelerate development of its next-generation capabilities.

The F-47, with its unprecedented maturity even at this early stage, is set to transform the landscape of modern aerial warfare. With a design that demands less manpower and infrastructure and promises higher availability. The F-47 is poised to be the cornerstone of US airpower – a critical asset in maintaining global deterrence.

Gen Allvin stressed that, “Compared to the F-22, the F-47 will cost less and be more adaptable to future threats – and we will have more of the F-47s in our inventory. The F-47 will have significantly longer range, more advanced stealth, be more sustainable, supportable and have higher availability than our fifth-generation fighters. This platform is designed with a ‘built to adapt’ mindset and will take significantly less manpower and infrastructure to deploy.”

In essence, the F-47 contract is more than just an acquisition; it is a strategic investment in the future of air combat.

As the NGAD program continues to evolve, the F-47 is expected to become the definitive platform for ensuring air dominance, heralding a new era where advanced technology meets operational excellence.