Overview

• Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced that Boeing has begun manufacturing the first F-47 test article at the AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
• Allvin said the team is committed to a 2028 maiden flight, moving up prior public expectations that placed first flight by January 2029.
• Boeing is producing the aircraft in St. Louis through Phantom Works facilities, with additional support infrastructure slated to come online in 2026.
• Publicly released goals include a combat radius over 1,000 nautical miles, speeds above Mach 2 and enhanced low observability, with operations designed to integrate Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
• The service has signaled a plan to buy about 185 jets to succeed the F-22, as many design specifics remain classified and official renderings may not reflect the final aircraft.