Mirror Review
28 March 2025
In a major win for Boeing, the aerospace company has been chosen to build the United States Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet. The awarding of the Boeing F-47 Contract was announced by President Donald Trump on Friday, March 21, 2025, revealing the new aircraft will be called the F-47.
The contract awarded to Boeing is for the initial development and manufacturing of the F-47 and is worth over $20 billion. Experts predict the total cost of the program could be much higher in the long run. This win is especially important for Boeing, which has faced some challenges with its other projects recently.
Why Boeing?
The Air Force, in their official speak, said Boeing’s proposal provided “best overall value” and a perfect fit.
Basically, they weren’t just looking at the price. They likely considered how advanced the technology was, how well Boeing could develop the plane, and the long-term costs.
Sure, Boeing’s had a few… let’s call them “learning experiences” with past Air Force projects, but this time, they really seemed to have nailed it. Their design and plan? It clearly hit the right notes.
Some analysts believe the Air Force wanted to ensure there are at least two strong companies building fighter jets in the U.S., with Lockheed Martin being the other major player.
Meet the F-47: A Cutting-Edge Fighter
The F-47 is designed to be a sixth-generation fighter jet. This means it will be even more advanced than current top-of-the-line planes like the F-22 Raptor. Here are some of its expected features:
- Super Stealth: They’re talking cutting-edge stealth, making it practically invisible on radar.
- Long Range: The F-47 will be able to fly much farther than current fighter jets without needing to refuel.
- Powerful Engines: Advanced engines that can adjust to different flight conditions.
- Team Player: The F-47 will work with unmanned drones, called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). These can carry extra weapons or perform other tasks. Think of the F-47 as the quarterback leading a team of drones.
- Advanced Technology: It will have the newest sensors, electronic warfare systems, and networking capabilities.
- Fast and Agile: The F-47 is expected to exceed Mach 2 (going faster than twice the speed of sound) and is very maneuverable.
Early designs show a sleek, tailless aircraft with unique wing shapes. Some reports even suggest it might have an AI co-pilot to help the human pilot.
A Boost for Boeing
This contract? Massive for Boeing’s defense business. It’ll mean many jobs and investment in their St. Louis, Missouri facility.
And, the way the contract’s structured, with the government covering development costs, should help them avoid those big financial losses they’ve had before.
So What Does This Mean for the Air Force
The Boeing F-47 is key to the Air Force’s plan to keep its dominance in the skies, especially with potential threats from places like China.
The advanced capabilities of the F-47 are designed to overcome sophisticated enemy defenses and allow the U.S. to project its power globally.
Moreover, the Air Force plans to buy more F-47s than the F-22s they will eventually replace.
The Road Ahead
While the contract has been awarded, it will still take time to fully develop and build the F-47. Experimental versions have reportedly been flying for several years already. The Air Force aims to have the F-47 ready for full production before 2029.
In conclusion, Boeing got the job to make the Air Force’s new F-47 fighter jet. This is a big deal. It shows the U.S. wants to keep its top spot in air power, and it’s a huge win for Boeing’s military work. The F-47 is expected to be a really advanced plane, with abilities that could change how air battles are fought.
