US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described the F-47, the United States’ upcoming sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, as the “most devastating plane” ever built, while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Addressing world leaders and business executives, Trump praised the aircraft’s capabilities but also appeared bemused by its name.
“They called it 47. If I don't like it, I'm going to take the 47 off it. I wonder why they called it 47? What to think about. But if I don't like it, I'm going to take that 47 off,” he said.
Trump highlighted the fighter’s speed, manoeuvrability and payload, calling it a jet “the likes of which nobody has seen before.”
“Nothing in the world comes even close to it. It'll be known as the F-47. The generals picked the title. It's a beautiful number,” he added.
What is the F-47?
The F-47 is a sixth-generation stealth fighter being developed under the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme, with Boeing awarded the contract to build the aircraft. It is designed as the successor to the F-22 Raptor and is intended to secure US air superiority in future high-end conflicts.
The aircraft incorporates advanced stealth features to reduce radar visibility, integrated sensor systems to improve target tracking, and a canard wing configuration that enhances stability and manoeuvrability. It is capable of both long-range missile strikes and close-range dogfighting.
A key feature of the F-47 is its ability to operate alongside autonomous drones, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), which can assist with reconnaissance, strike missions, and electronic warfare. The jet also draws design elements from Boeing’s experimental YF-118G Bird of Prey, including angled wings and a curved nose for improved aerodynamics.
US Air Force plans
The US Air Force announced in March 2025 that it had commissioned Boeing to build the F-47, describing it as central to maintaining air superiority, particularly in potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region involving China.
The Air Force plans to acquire at least 185 F-47 aircraft, with the first jets expected to enter operational service toward the end of the decade.
Trump had earlier announced the programme from the Oval Office on March 21, 2025, saying he had directed the Air Force to proceed “with the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet,” according to Bloomberg.
Why is it called F-47?
According to The War Zone, the F-47 designation carries multiple references. One is to the World War II-era P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, which was later redesignated as the F-47 after the US military phased out the “P” for “Pursuit.”
The number also refers to 1947, the year the US Air Force became an independent service separate from the US Army. Additionally, the designation reflects Trump’s position as the 47th President of the United States, having previously served as the 45th.
Cost, timeline, and strategic importance
The initial engineering and manufacturing development contract awarded to Boeing is valued at more than $20 billion. The estimated per-unit cost of the aircraft could range between $300 million and $325 million, though US Air Force officials have said it will be cheaper to operate and maintain than the F-22, allowing for larger production numbers.
Experimental aircraft linked to the NGAD programme have reportedly been flying since 2020. The F-47 is expected to enter operational service between the late 2020s and around 2030, depending on flight-testing outcomes.
US defence officials say the F-47 represents a shift in air combat strategy, with pilots acting as battlefield commanders who coordinate AI-enabled systems and drone wingmen rather than operating alone. The programme also marks Boeing’s return to frontline fighter production after years of dominance by Lockheed Martin.
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